How To: Hold your cello bow

Take a bow. This brief video tutorial demonstrates how to use your thumb and pointer finger to form a basic cello hold while familiarizing you with some of the more common pitfalls among cello novices.

How To: Play cello with range and clefs

In this video, we learn how to play the cello with range and clefs. With the cello, you have the C string, the G string, the D string, and the A string. This is just like the viola and violin, just an octave lower. You will read in three different clefs. The tenor clef looks similar to the alto clef but the middle C is in the middle of the clef. As you get above the staff, you will get to treble clef. The main clef will be the base clef, but try using the treble clef for a melodic tune that s...

How To: Play vibrato on the cello properly

Watch this instructional cello playing video that explores the mechanics of playing the vibrato on the cello. The vibrato is an advanced function on the cello that will take a lot of time to master. This tutorial introduces the basic motions to help develop vibrato and aid beginners with their cello skills.

How To: Learn the art of practice on the cello

This instructional cello video explains the art of practice and how to effectively practice the cello in a musical way. It is important to spend some quiet time with the cello alone. The golden rule of practice is to take less material and to slow it down. This tutorial also offers a few basic principles for beginners that will help them improve their cello skills.

How To: Improve thumb position on the cello

Check out this instructional cello video to learn how to have perfect thumb position while playing the cello. Thumb position is involved when you play on the upper part of the cello. This tutorial offers great tips and techniques for beginning cello players.

How To: Create a sound on the cello

Watch this instructional cello playing video to learn how to create a sound on the cello. The sound production is composed of the various elements used to create the sound on the cello. There are three variables that determine the kind of sound produced: how much weight will you put into the string, the speed of the bow, where you put the bow. This tutorial is great for beginning cello players.

How To: Hold the cello in good posture

Watch this instructional cello video to learn how to hold the cello in good posture. When sitting down to play the cello, you want to sit at the edge of the chair keeping your lower back aligned with the rest of your back. This tutorial provides great tips for beginning cello players.

How To: Create long cello sounds

Check out this instructional cello playing video to learn how to create legato, or long sounds, on the cello. One of the great challenges cellists encounter is the ability to make smooth changes when changing the direction of the bow. Once you're comfortable with détaché without accents, try to eliminate the gap between the notes. This tutorial is great for beginning cello players.

How To: Learn right arm cello machanics

This instructional cello video explains the mechanics of the right arm when playing the cello. The right arm is what creates the sound on the cello. This tutorial also offers a few basic principles to help practice your cello playing skills.

How To: Create short cello notes

Check out this instructional cello playing video to learn how to create short cello notes. When creating a short note on the cello, divide the note into two sections. This tutorial recommends practicing with a few martele exercises until you're comfortable making short notes on the cello.

How To: Make smooth cello string crossings

In this instructional cello video, learn how to make smooth string crossings on the cello. When going from one string to another, you don't want any accents. You want this to be as smooth and seamless as possible. This cello tutorial also provides a couple of exercises to practice making smooth string crossings.

How To: Learn even finger spacing on the cello

Watch this instructional cello playing video to learn how to space your fingers evenly on the cello for the beginners. The second and third fingers tend to be too close together but the Spock sign usually ameliorates this. The tutorial also offers effective alternative solutions to help the finger spacing. This is a great video for beginning cello performers and enthusiasts.

How To: Play vibrato on the cello

This how to video gives you a description of cello vibrato technique by Jamie Fiste, Cello Professor from Central Michigan University. This technique is easy to master and will improve your cello playing. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play vibrato on your cello.

How To: Warm up for an audition on the cello

This tutorial teaches you how to warm up your cello playing for an audition. By working the "pulling" muscles of your left hand you will create stronger more precise fingers, like "core training" for your hand. When you add these variations you will wake up and warm up your brain, open up new connections by challenging the coordination between your left and right hands. Watch this how to video and you will improve your cello playing with these warm up exercises.

How To: Teach cello vibrato to beginning cellists

In this instructional clip, you'll learn how to most effectively teach the vibrato playing technique to novice cello players through use of the "robot wave" method. This tutorial will also be of use to students of the cello are themselves looking to master the vibrato technique.

How To: Adapt your violin technique for the cello

Wish your violin were bigger? This brief tutorial video describes basic left-hand cello technique for violinists. The key tips are as follows: (1) reduce pronation; (2) keep your thumb to the left side of the neck; (3) watch the base of your knuckles; and (4) try to avoid curving your fingers overly. For further details watch this how-to!

How To: Play the wiper cello exercise

Learn how to do the wiper exercise on the cello with this tutorial. This exercise to help strengthen the right hand for cello playing. This will improve your grip and your sound. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play the wiper exercise on the cello.

How To: Use your cello bow

This how to video shows an easy way to make sure you're gripping the bow properly when playing the cello. This technique makes playing the cello easier and more comfortable. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play the cello with proper bow technique.

How To: Do the squid exercise on the cello

Learn how to exercise the bow hand with this cello tutorial. This exercise strengthens your bow hand and keep that right hand strong and relaxed at the same time. Watch this how to video and you will be able to play the squid exercise on your cello.

How To: Play the cello with proper bow control

In this tutorial you will learn a deceptively simple exercise that will give you more control over your bow arm. The bow is where we create most of our expressivity so more control means more ability to shape the sound of what you play. Watch this how to video and you will be able to learn proper cello bow control.

How To: Hand shift on the cello

This video is a demonstration of proper shifting technique on the cello. Learn the different hand shifting methods: The underhand and the overhand. Each movement is broken down and explained in detail.

How To: Play the cello

In this series of videos, learn more about the cello from an expert cellist! Learn the basics such as how to hold the cello and identify the different parts of the instrument. You will need to know where the scroll, the peg box and the bridge are located on your cello. You can learn how to play the cello using the bow or by plucking the strings in these videos. Get further information on tuning, storing and caring for your instrument from our expert. Get tips on playing scales and how to play...

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