My Number 1 Exercise for Bow finger flexibility | Adult Cello

Here is a short but detailed description of what I consider to be the number one exercise to promote finger flexibility in your bow hand. To do this well, you will also need to have/develop a flexible thumb, so this exercise also promotes a more flexible thumb as well. Give it a try!
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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

[@davidecaravano2648]

I'm starting the cello as an adult learner (28 years) after watching all of your videos (so, it' your fault!), today my teacher gave me this exact exercise and I immediately came back to rewatch this. Thank you, your explanation is flawless, your channel is a golden resource for all of us who fell in love with this instrument in a mature time of our life.

[@adultcello]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! And congrats on starting your cello journey!

[@maricruzlara8386]

Thank you!

[@Almostlover1953]

Can you recommend a book that covers useful techniques and skills for learning the cello?

[@oliviajulia7913]

Hi Billy ! Thanks for your great videos !
I've started the cello 4 months ago, and I have an issue with my thumbs when I play. For both my left and right hand, my thumbs tend to naturally bend in "the wrong way". Instead of bending to the interior (120°) by having a point of contact with the tip of the thumb, they tend to slip and bend to the exterior (200°) with a point of contact on the front flat of my thumb.
Even if I focus on it to correct it, I always seem to get back to it naturally. (I'm hyperlax so this might not help...) This creates a lot of tensions in the thumb itself after a while. I reckon it's not good.
Do you have any tips or exercises for correcting this ? :)
Thanks a lot !!

[@adultcello]

Hi! Honestly I'm having a little trouble picturing your thumb's movement as I read this. If you like, please send me an email at [e-mail] with a photo or short video and I'd be happy to take a look and give suggestions. Thanks for your comment!