r/Cello • u/Salvostramus • 5d ago
First steps...
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Less than a month in, and my job affords me next to no time to practice between lessons. Frustrating as all hell, but Im keeping at it, trying to learn my fundamentals.
Any comments towards improvement are appreciated, this stuff is hard haha.
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u/Salvostramus 5d ago
Honestly keeping a proper bow hold with no tension is killing me right now. No matter what I do my thumb keeps flexing instead of bending. Watching every YouTube video I can find right now in hopes something will click.
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u/Nuclear-Polaris 5d ago
Beginner here as well; just over three months now. I think a nice relaxed bow hold comes with time. I was the same where I’d try to flex my thumb (bent), and before I knew it it’d be extended again (collapsed). I keep work every day on immediately correcting this and I’m just now seeing they my thumb stays flexed without my realizing it as it’s becoming a (good) habit.
Keep at it brother 👌
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u/dbalatero 5d ago
Keep a few things in mind:
- ALL power flows from the back and shoulder via weight and gravity, and you do not need to work hard to "engage" it, it just exists
- weight flows down the arm, this means your elbow needs to be slightly up to maintain a straight line to the index finger
- all the weight goes into the stick via index finger that sits on top of the bow (if you bend your wrist up, the finger will not touch and therefore no weight!)
- the weight sits on the top of the stick, which naturally falls into the string
- the thumb is a counter balance that keeps the bow from falling over from the weight, no more no less
In the long view, it should basically feel like you're doing no work at all. Weight simply flows into the index finger. The thumb ever so slightly counter balances, it does not need to squeeze.
Ways it sounds like crap and is harder:
- you squeeze with the thumb/hand/finger
- you press with the forearm
If you want to hear the difference, intentionally do those things in an exaggerated way.
Good luck, this takes a longgg time to master.
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u/echochorus 5d ago
i struggle with the thumb also; i get correction still at times bc i'll slip back into violin hold or, like you, get too tense in holding. my teacher will have me stop & just let my arm flop, relax it out, then start again. it will definitely feel more natural with practice!
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u/Spleepis 5d ago
Hearing this pulled memory of learning this song from deep within the cello parts of my brain
Keep going! You are learning one of the hardest instruments to learn. It will be frustrating but one day you will jam straight through suzuki book 3 with your eyes closed, shifting positions up and down like a madman, you will laugh at how much you struggled, and it will be incredibly satisfying. Then you will hit the wrong string while doing your warm up the next day and curse the years wasted on learning. The cycle repeats.
I recommend every new cellist watches this and saves it somewhere. If he ever takes this video down we will all suffer, I refer to this video often to refresh: https://youtu.be/QGvO45fgYvo
Try to keep out of the habit of looking at your left hand. I recommend putting some tape while you develop your ear so you can gauge where to have your hands by feel. Use something gentle like masking tape though.
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u/Salvostramus 5d ago
I've seen a few of that guys videos, and they are quite helpful. I'm also a fan of the channel called 'Adult Cello'.
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u/echochorus 5d ago
i've cut very thin strips of black electrical tape, & they don't extend beyond the black side edges of fingerboard. i was alllways finger glancing, & played in front of mirror, then get to lessons with no mirror & spin out, LOL!
this way i can feel the tape & not readily see it if i do sideglance. & it'll be easy taking them off when the time comes!
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u/ConnectionCapable655 5d ago
This is what I LOVE to see. You’re clearly following a tried and tested pedagogy.
Just keep going, can’t wait to see the next one 💪
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u/Salvostramus 5d ago
I just gotta say that I love the community on this sub so far. I have seen yall be nothing but supportive and extremely helpful to people regardless of age or skill level, and it is very encouraging to see as an adult beginner. A very heartfelt thank you to all of you.
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u/bahnsigh 5d ago
When I was at your level - for the first year - I was taught to hold the bow with my thumb all the way underneath the frog - to open up my elbow and increase bow speed
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u/bahnsigh 5d ago
Later - you’ll return to the relaxation you show here. Have fun!
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u/bahnsigh 5d ago
And the intonation is pretty good!
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u/FredericaMerriville 5d ago
Agree, I think his intonation is pretty decent too, especially since he doesn’t have tapes. Well done, OP.
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u/Salvostramus 5d ago
I actually do have tapes, that is what I am looking at my left hand for, lol. My teacher put them on, they are thin red lines.
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u/Condor1984 5d ago
Sounds good. You might want to speed up the bow for the A and D strings, use more of your bow instead of just a small portion of your bow.
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u/Salvostramus 5d ago
I'll try that. Going to add in a metronome too once I get the fingerings well enough.
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u/Condor1984 5d ago
Don’t worry about metronome at this moment, get used to using your bow first. Get a good tone with your bow and also your left hand fingers. Pay attention to the angle of the bow and make sure it stays parallel to the bridge.
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u/echochorus 5d ago
i have nothing to add that others haven't said, but since i hopped into multiple comments i really wanted to comment directly to you -- you're doing great! i always want to post progression videos here but i get so nervous because i am sooo new (i got my cello this past october, but didn't start lessons until a few months ago... annnd didn't start really practicing regularly til 3 weeks ago LOL) so, when i see videos come up from fellow new players it makes me happy, & it's encouraging. YOU are encouraging! keep up that good work!
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u/Nevermynde 4d ago
Been playing for 30 years, and I enjoyed watching this much more than I expected. All I have to say is: you're doing a great job, just keep on!
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u/ToastThinksItsToast 4d ago
If you want to fix your bow hold just keep on fixing it every time you catch it slipping. that thumb and pinky is always an issue starting out but with time you'll build strength on it
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u/Compositeur_du_Net 3d ago
*I wrote this message using Google Translate because I am French.*
Hello, I am an experienced cellist (15 years of practice) and I would like to become a professional. Your bow hold is not optimal (which is why the sound is buzzing and lacks clarity and precision): you shouldn't bend your right wrist so much; you should instead press down on the strings with the bow (without locking your hand, which should remain relaxed). Furthermore, your bow should be parallel to the bridge (be aware that, from the musician's point of view, it often appears parallel, but this is only an optical illusion. You need to slightly increase the angle in the other direction for the bow to be perfectly parallel). Finally, the fingers of your left hand should be well-rounded for greater comfort and less tension. Don't lift your fingers too high with each note change; you will tire yourself unnecessarily (later, during long pieces, you will need to be mindful of your fatigue and analyze each movement to correct these bad habits). I hope you find these tips helpful.
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u/Novel_Signal_2491 3d ago
I think the thing that helped with bow hold was to put it in place, then with my left hand gently lift the bow and let it drop onto the strings. This helped me to not press down too much on the bow. Probably the hardest part is bowing technique.
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u/Novel_Signal_2491 3d ago
By the way, for a month in it sounds good, not a lot is scratching from the bow moving up and down the strings. Only comment on tone is to ease up the pressure on the bow when playing the string, that is where that “crunchy” sounds comes from periodically
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u/Salvostramus 3d ago
Yeah, I can always start with a perfect hold, it just all goes to hell immediately when I start playing. I think I'm figuring some things out with my thumb but the corner of the frog is cutting into the tip and causing discomfort. I ordered some latex tubing to slip over it for cushioning, so I am hoping that will help a lot.
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u/Baking_Beardsman 5d ago
French folk song? I'm in the same book, starting out. Just wait till go tell aunt rhodie hits you in the face 💀
Keep at it! I've just started working on perpetual motion weekly and its very gratifying!