Please explain Pivot

[Bass]

Would someone please explain the "pivot" technique?

[TomGale]

I'll give it a try. Let's say you are in a closed hand position - 1,2,4 = a full step - like A to B on the G string - but fate decrees that, due to excessive speed of the figure, you must cover A, B, C rapidly with no chance to shift. So, you play - A=1, pivot to 2=B and 4 on C.
The key to pivoting to achieve max velocity is to not move the thumb.
You may also use a reverse pivot. The most common passage is from the Dance of the Comedians - C, Bb, A, and G in 16ths repeated 4 times and a very rapid tempo. If you try to shift, you are dead or very messy.
C, (pivot), Bb, A, G, etc. Open hand is also interesting but takes too much room but you get the idea.
Tom Gale
ASODB.com

[jfv]

The key to making sense of pivot is the thumb. It is
the anchor point, the upper four fingers move relative
to it.

Pivot lets you eliminate the so-called half position,
its just a first position pivoted down a half step.

Its for this reason that Rabbath can define 1st
position as everything from G# to C (on the G
string). Third position is when your thumb is at
the neck, playing D on the G, your 4 would normally
hit E, but its quite easy to pivot up and hit E with 1,
thus playing f# with 4, or hit the harmonic G.

The same thing Tom said, but I figured two people
saying it a bit differently might help

[fcleff]

Basically, in a pivot the thumb does not move. In a shift the thumb move with the hand to the new position. Right? That's how I've always understood it.

[Bass]

Oh, I get it. The thumb stays put and the fingers pivot around the thumb. But you can only pivot so far, and then you have to shift the thumb up the neck.

Many thanks for the helpful replies.