I just subscribed and am excited! Love these tips! I started with the cello last summer…. Im a little older than 25 GULP! I have a musical background but not with strings. Its been a great journey so far!
Thanks for these tips. Especially the tracing tip. I'm a self taught adult beginner of about 9 months now. Here recently I've become discouraged in my playing. I don't care for my tone, I second guess myself frequently, and I'm sure I could use some serious improvements on my skills and techniques. This is all while I try to blame the bad sound on the cello, the bow, and the strings, even though I know the issues are really just myself. I really gotta work on that straight bow. I'm sure it'll improve my sound drastically. Thanks again for the tips. Cheers!
Thanks so much for your message! I think pulling a straight(er) bow should do a lot to help improve the tone you're currently pulling, and I'd love to know if these tips help you get results after you've tried them out for a bit! Thanks again for writing!
Heh I noticed already that I had to keep my hand moving in a sort of awkward line to keep it from sounding like crap, or playing a harmonic. But I think a lot of picking that part up was the fact that I got used to drawing straight lines for artwork, which gave me a spatial sense of my hand. Still gotta drill into my technique on the cello, but I did notice the motion of the arm somewhat extending out and leaning on my sense of a straight line from art, which improved the sound. Funny thing... real art practice is a lot more like learning an instrument because you actually have to develop mechanical skills.
I’m just struggling bowing 😭 thanks! My teacher always said to me ‘play musically!!’….my cello isn’t music , just the sound I think 😓 I hope you teach me how to play musically 🙏 From Japan😊
Thank you so much for your comment! I totally understand the feeling you are having when you play. Sometimes it helps to sing while playing and try to match the bow to what you naturally do with your voice. I hope that helps :)
Hi Billy, great tips again ! 👍do you think it's okay to try it at the very beginning (fourth lesson), or is it going to be too difficult and add too much tension in the bow grip?
Hi! I think it's never too early to work on pulling a straight bow since doing so will lead to an easier time creating a beautiful sound. In that way it might actually help reduce tension in the bow hand/arm since the stroke is likely to be more effective with less effort exerted. Hope that helps and thanks for your comment!
If you mean that the hairs of the bow are breaking, it may be time to go into the shop for a rehair. If the bowhair feels clumped/stuck together, there may be too much build up of rosin inside the hair...hope that helps!
I’m surprised that you mention nothing on the mechanics of wrist, forearm elbow and open and closing shoulder. While what you are showing could work it seems that not mentioning any of the arm mechanics leaves a lot out.
thank you very much.
My pleasure!
Continue to love the videos, just started my cello journey about two weeks ago. Excited to keep learning more and more from you!
I really like your teaching style. These techniques are exactly what I need! I subscribed. Thank you kindly! I 🙏
I just subscribed and am excited! Love these tips! I started with the cello last summer…. Im a little older than 25 GULP! I have a musical background but not with strings. Its been a great journey so far!
Thanks for your videos. I am practicing pulling a straight bow.❤
Thank you...☺😉
My pleasure!
Thanks for these tips. Especially the tracing tip. I'm a self taught adult beginner of about 9 months now. Here recently I've become discouraged in my playing. I don't care for my tone, I second guess myself frequently, and I'm sure I could use some serious improvements on my skills and techniques. This is all while I try to blame the bad sound on the cello, the bow, and the strings, even though I know the issues are really just myself. I really gotta work on that straight bow. I'm sure it'll improve my sound drastically. Thanks again for the tips. Cheers!
Thanks so much for your message! I think pulling a straight(er) bow should do a lot to help improve the tone you're currently pulling, and I'd love to know if these tips help you get results after you've tried them out for a bit! Thanks again for writing!
ugh, this is so real. I'm relieved to hear I'm not alone.
Heh I noticed already that I had to keep my hand moving in a sort of awkward line to keep it from sounding like crap, or playing a harmonic.
But I think a lot of picking that part up was the fact that I got used to drawing straight lines for artwork, which gave me a spatial sense of my hand. Still gotta drill into my technique on the cello, but I did notice the motion of the arm somewhat extending out and leaning on my sense of a straight line from art, which improved the sound. Funny thing... real art practice is a lot more like learning an instrument because you actually have to develop mechanical skills.
'juicy delicious bow', that's what I'm gonna aim for!
That's awesome! Thanks so much for your message!
I’m just struggling bowing 😭 thanks!
My teacher always said to me ‘play musically!!’….my cello isn’t music , just the sound I think 😓 I hope you teach me how to play musically 🙏
From Japan😊
Thank you so much for your comment! I totally understand the feeling you are having when you play. Sometimes it helps to sing while playing and try to match the bow to what you naturally do with your voice. I hope that helps :)
Hi Billy, great tips again ! 👍do you think it's okay to try it at the very beginning (fourth lesson), or is it going to be too difficult and add too much tension in the bow grip?
Hi! I think it's never too early to work on pulling a straight bow since doing so will lead to an easier time creating a beautiful sound. In that way it might actually help reduce tension in the bow hand/arm since the stroke is likely to be more effective with less effort exerted. Hope that helps and thanks for your comment!
I love your sound
Thank you so much!
What kind of string do you use? I have no idea what string that is.
Is it normal for the hair to separate???
If you mean that the hairs of the bow are breaking, it may be time to go into the shop for a rehair. If the bowhair feels clumped/stuck together, there may be too much build up of rosin inside the hair...hope that helps!
I’m surprised that you mention nothing on the mechanics of wrist, forearm elbow and open and closing shoulder. While what you are showing could work it seems that not mentioning any of the arm mechanics leaves a lot out.