I just started to slide from 1st to 3rd position. is it supposed to sound like you are "going up" or like are you supposed to hear the sliding? HELP!

No, you shouldn`t hear the slide. It should be just like putting a finger down in first position. A good rule of thumb...to find 3rd position...don`t let go of the violin, and don`t let your fingers lose their place, but lift them ever so slightly from the strings, and move your hand up until your hand hits the violin. Hold the palm of your hand toward your face, then twist it into `position`...it should be facing a little to the left. Then, at the edge of your palm, there is a little bone, a knot really, where it touches the wrist. This area should perfectly hit the violin where the neck meets the body of the violin. If you are in good form to begin with (don`t let your wrist collapse or bow out too much), you should find 3rd position without difficulty. Listen for harmonics...and check your notes to open strings...then practice the `slide` until you`ve got it down. Remember, you don`t want to hear the slide. No one should notice when you`ve change positions. The only change should be a slight change in tone...which is normal (And sometimes, the whole point of shifting!) Good Luck!

^ very good advice. I might add that when you first learn how to shift positions it might be easier to let it slide. (that`s how i learned anyways) and soon enough you`ll be able to shift easily w/o the sliding sound. In due time, after practicing it will become almost like 2nd nature. Have fun and good luck with it.

you shouldnt hear the slide, but of course u should start by playing each note and listing to it well. (Tip: the 3rd position in the G string is going to sound exactly like the 1st position in the D string.. thatll help you with the sound) as for the sliding take it easy but dont get too used to it. When youve practiced enough youll find it much easier and you wont have the need to slide, itll be like an automatic motion.
Oh and I dont want to be rude or anything but the correct position for playing the violin is with your left hand completely separated from the neck of the violin. Alot of people play incorrectly as the position has lost important in people`s minds, but it really is important. Your sound depends hugely on your position, so never play with your hand resting on the neck, take it as far out as possible(of course not too much that ur not able to play, but enough to have a good posture)
krissy
indelant@hotmail.com