#cellotechnique

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason discusses various technical possibilities with the cello for ClassicFM. I did not know this, but Sheku Kanneh-Mason recently won an award for his classical music contributions, so well done to him!

[willhurdstrings]

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I find the first two measures of Prelude from Bach’s cello suite 6 to be among the more challenging passages in the piece. The string crossings and arpeggiation pose challenges to tone production and intonation. These challenges are compounded by being in the middle register - middle 3 strings, so it’s easy to crash into adjacent strings to produce unwanted sounds. Here’s how I break it down: 1) play only the moving note on the performance bow strokes — in this case the last note of each triplet is played up bow. I focus on placing the hair accurately and driving the bow with awareness of the direction of the tip of the bow. On the G string I drive the bow behind me. On the A, I drive the bow towards the ceiling. 2) Play the moving notes with the preceding notes, in this case open D string. Absorb the feeling of each string crossing. For crossings to the lower string, I visualize the bow tip dropping towards my shoulder. For crossings to the higher string, I visualize my forearm hugging in towards my abdomen. 3) Play all notes slowly being hyper aware of all the motions - bow directions and string crossings. 4) At tempo. Notes: I repeat each stage more than once. I compressed the process for brevity in presentation in Instagram. Bow tip and arm movement direction will be different depending on what instrument you’re playing (violin, viola, cello, etc). The point is it’s useful to external points of reference. #violoncellodaspalla #practiceroom #practiceroomrevelations #practicemakesprogress #cello #cellopractice #cellopracticetime #cellolesson #cellotechnique #violintechnique #violinpractice🎻 #jsbach #bachcello #bachcellosuites #cellosuites #stringplayers #stringsattached #violinteacher #музыкабаха #бах #виолончелист #celloist #baroquecello #hellocello #celloworld #cellopower (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIS7vfTAt3h/?igshid=1gp6zrbyi5uci

[deborahdeshoftim5779]

Cellist Pablo Ferrández tries out different (and expensive!) cellos. I always enjoy watching these kinds of videos, as much for hearing the lasting quality of these instruments as well as the musician’s ear. People really built incredible instruments to last, and like fine wine, they have improved with age! 

[willhurdstrings]

Intonation, contact point, bow weigh & bow speed. We usually think of intonation as being in the realm of the left hand fingers; however, an excess of bow weight or pressure can bend the strings out of tune even if the left hand fingers are accurately placed. Consider the following: 1) Strings get softer further from the bridge and therefore cannot accept as much weight before the pitch bends. 2) Thinner (higher) strings can accept less weight at the same distance from the bridge as thicker (lower strings) 3) Shorter strings (higher positions) can accept less weight than longer strings (lower positions) at the same distance from the bridge. Double stops are notorious for being out of tune. I always check my bow placement so I can tell if the issue is in the left hand or the right. 3 videos from last night’s practice of #gigue from #cellosuite no 6 by #jsbach 1) Slow slurred staccato (separate notes while preserving bow direction). I carefully monitor my bow placement so it is as close to the bridge as possible taking advantage of the string’s stiffness and strength. ~~swipe left~~ 2) Slow practice with performance bowings taking care not to let the bow slip into the softer, weaker part of the strings. Notice how the distance from the bride increases slightly on the lower strings. 3) At tempo - faster bow strokes will be slightly further from the bridge, but still as close as possible to avoid bending the pitch. #violoncellodaspalla #cello #cellosolo #cellolesson #cellopractice #cellopracticetime #practiceroom #practicediaries #cellistsofinstagram #celloworld #babycello #cellotechnique #violintechnique #violintips #cellotime #stringplayer #stringsattached #baroquemusiclovers #celloist #ilovecello #violinfun #beautifulmusic #violinteacher (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH-c5XDAchq/?igshid=12na6yas2szlq

[willhurdstrings]

Advanced string crossing practice! Two videos: 1) Practice slowly while planning for each string crossing. If the next note is on a different string, play both the note before and after the crossing as a double stop. This helps the bow arm anticipate the next string. It also helps the left hand prepare so the finger arrives on the new string on time. This practice also helps intonation because you will want to play the double stops in tune! This practice can create some interesting dissonant intervals such as a few semitones at the end of this passage. Swipe left: 2) Voila! The passage is clean and easy as a result of the right and left hands learning how to anticipate each string crossing! In this example I am practicing Courante from #cellosuite no 6 in D by #jsbach BWV 1012. In #bachsuites the #courante movements are always full of string crossings! I am playing this piece on a #violoncellodaspalla with 5 strings. String crossings are a challenge on this instrument due to the extra string as well as the flatter (compared to modern instruments) curve of the bridge. For additional string crossing tips please check out my videos posted on July 27 and June 18 #cello #cellist #celloplayer #stringplayer #stringpedagogy #cellotechnique #cellopractice #violintechnique #violinpractice #stringsattached #violinteacher #suzukiteacher #bach #johannsebastianbach #practiceroom #beautifulmusic #baroquemusic #classicalmusic #musiceducation #hellocello #cellomusic #cellolove (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEofGVRgLwy/?igshid=zsld1nb9emyt

[willhurdstrings]

#jello #vibrato #violinpractice #violinvibrato is most natural when the vibration is a result of the placement or dropping to the string - just like when jello jiggles when it’s dropped to a plate - the jiggle is a reaction to the drop. Three videos: 1) Playing with my food at @heebeenusa #koreanbarbeque in Alexandria, VA - Notice the music #letitgo in the background. This was not planned! LOL ~swipe left~ 2) slow motion demonstration of the “jello vibrato” - notice how the drop initiates the vibrato on impact. ~swipe left~ 3) “Jello vibrato” demonstrated in #perpetualmotion from #suzukiviolinschool #suzukibook1 Note: when introducing vibrato to #youngviolinists I begin with #staccato notes rather than sustained notes so the hand has time to relax #betweenthenotes #jellodessert #violinpedagogy #violintechnique #violinlessons #violinlessonsforkids #suzukitriangle #violinteacher #violatechnique #cellotechnique #stringpedagogy #practiceroom #kinestheticlearner #actionreaction (at Heebeen Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZeou9VL5eN/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

#fastfingers #violinpractice🎻 In #fastviolin passages such as this famous “lick” from #czardas by #vittoriomonti it’s easy for the #lefthand fingers to get behind the motion of the bow. I practice “leading” with the left hand and having the bow simply “ride along” as follows: 2 videos: 1) Practice only with the left hand (no bow). Listen to each note as a “pitter patter” Economize the motion and avoid hammering the strings. The left hand fingers should move swiftly but remain as close to the strings as possible when lifted. ~swipe left~ 2) Performance version - bow comes along for the ride. Keep the focus on leading with the left hand. #violintechnique #violinpedagogy #violinteacher #violinvirtuoso #violinguy #violinfun #gypsyviolin #monticzardas #czardasmonti #fastviolin #stringpedagogy #practiceroom #40hrs #dailyviolin #violinpractice #violintips #stringplayer #violatechnique #cellotechnique (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/willhurdstrings/p/CXMRfWyL2Al/?utm_medium=tumblr

[willhurdstrings]

Subito dynamics! I tend to include unintentional crescendos and diminuendos in passages with subito or sudden changes in dynamics. As a remedy, I use this two step process. In this post I practice a passage from the Prelude of #suite6 for #solocello BWV 1012 by #jsbach Step 1 - I practice slowly with a metronome and add a slight crescendo before each piano and a slight diminuendo before each forte. This interferes the tendency to do the opposite, which is not desired in this case. ~swipe left~ Step 2 - dynamics are clear without unintentional crescendos or diminuendos creating the desired “echo” effect #violoncellodaspalla #celloteacher #cellomusic #violintechnique #violinteacher #practiceroom #beautifulmusic #purposefulpractice #cellopractice #johannsebastianbach #ambasciatoredelvioloncellodaspalla #stringsattached #stringplayer #baroquemusic #practiceprocess #killingperfectionisminclassical #cellohelp #cellotechnique #cellovideo #classicalmusicmode #instacello #instaclassical #violoncelista (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGmzmDdg9_T/?igshid=1b72g7tr09wus