My thumb hurts! Try this for thumb pain in the bow hand

This video addresses one of the most common playing issues for adult learners of the cello who are just starting out: thumb pain in the bow hand. I came up with the term "frozen thumb" because I remember how my thumb felt when I was starting out as an adult. Try this exercise to learn how to unfreeze your thumb!
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Billy Tobenkin is a Los Angeles-based cellist who specializes in teaching adult learners. As a professional cellist who started playing the cello from scratch at 25, he is in a unique position to help others, like him, who found the cello later in life. He has developed strategies from his own musical journey to accelerate the learning process, and he is here to share them with you.
Please contact him at [e-mail] with any questions or comments! Or visit adultcello.com

[@aiguebelette]

Thank you so much for helping a 63 years old cello learner improving on his bow hold. Very useful video 👍

[@adultcello]

I'm so glad you found it useful, thanks for your comment!

[@olgaconklinh7v768]

I am a professional pianist and just bought myself a cello as 61st bday gift...right yeaterday I was thinking how to deal with thumb pain and - here is your video popped up as a miracle! Thank you!

[@NoahReyMusic]

I've been playing cello for years now, but continually fall back into bad habits that cause thumb pain... Your video just unlocked everything for me!!! Thank you! New subscriber, excited to see what all I learn from you. 🤗

[@jungraelee5851]

Hi. I'm Korean amateur. I played cello over 10 years. and sometimes, suffered from bow arm thumb pain. Rolling the orange is good tip. no. excellent tip. thank you very much. very useful tip.

[@fernanmas1779]

Thanks for sharing your trik. Just now I'm trying to resolve my thumb pain. I have spent too much time suffering it. The correct way brings more hours of practice without conditions 👍🏽
You have a new subscriber

[@adultcello]

Thanks so much and I hope this helps your thumb pain!

[@evgeniybeschastnov4627]

Sounds very reasonable. Thank you!

[@adultcello]

My pleasure!

[@jenniferzee15]

Any tips on holding the bow if missing half of the pointer finger on the bow hand? It’s been tricky to not over use the thumb for balance and over spreading the pinky for counter balance. I’m a beginner and accept the challenge of my missing finger but holding the bow as shown is hard to reach longer bow strokes. Any thoughts on practice ideas for my hand I’ll try.

[@adultcello]

Hi Jennifer! Thanks so much for your message. It's hard to give precise advice without seeing your bow hold (or having ever encountered a student with a similar situation), but I would say that finding a bow grip where the 1st row of knuckles stay closer to the stick would be ideal so that your thumb and/or other fingers don't feel like they need to lock out to create strength. I hope that helps, but I love that you're going for it and I truly believe that when there's a will, there's always a way!