Table of Contents
Why does my hand hurt after playing cello?
The main culprit for such injuries as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome in the left hand is how you depress the string. All the joints, wrist, elbow must feel free and loose. It should feel as if all the joints are lubricated. Strength and flexibility are key.
Why is vibrato so hard?
Perhaps the reason that it is seen as one of the harder skills to master is because it is focused on the left arm and hand – the arm that is already “backwards” for violinists. The position can feel very foreign and tense anyway without adding the “shake” of vibrato. Vibrato is often divided into arm and wrist vibrato.
Is arm or wrist vibrato better?
The joints are a key aspect to understand why wrist vibrato is preferred and considered a more natural and less strained approach. Yes the arm should move, but the wrist has the ability to react. It can react to the momentum of the forearm and it can react to oscillations of the fingers.
When should I learn vibrato cello?
I tend to begin to introduce vibrato when:
- The student has a good sitting position – feet flat on the floor, round fingers and a high left elbow.
- Without the thumb, the left hand fingers are strong enough to hold the string down (see scale exercise below)
- The student can play in tune in at least 1st and 4th position.
Why does my thumb hurt when playing cello?
A common cause of a sore thumb can be an incorrectly set-up hand and arm position. To condition your thumb, try rubbing it lightly up and down the string whenever you pass by your cello. If you feel soreness when practising thumb position then stop, and leave it until the next day.
Is vibrato bad for fingers?
Finger vibrato isn’t wrong, but if it’s the only style you have, it limits your expressive range. It’s most appropriate for quick passages where you can’t linger long enough on any note for a full vibrato effect.
How many types of vibrato are there?
Two types
Two types. There are two types of vibrato: ‘hammer’ and ‘laryngeal’ vibrato. Hammer vibrato is particularly characterised by pulsation, whereas laryngeal vibrato is characterised by both pulsation and difference in pitch. Both vibratos may be acquired through practice.
What angle should the cello be?
In a study at the Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, researchers found that sitting at a 90 degree angle was detrimental to the back. They concluded that a relaxed position of leaning backwards at 135 degrees was optimal.
What is vibrato on the cello?
Before beginning to think about vibrato, it’s very important to understand what the basic motion is. Unlike the violin, vibrato on the cello is a full arm movement. The elbow acts as a pivot point, and the wrist shouldn’t twist. It is an up-and-down motion, and there are lots of preliminary exercises students can do to get used to this.
How to Polish a cello string?
Polishing the string. Starting with the 2nd finger on one of the middle strings, practice sliding up and down the cello. Start with big movements, and gradually reduce the length of the slides until it is being done from a fixed position. Repeat this with other fingers and all the strings.
What is the best position on the cello to learn to play?
Wobble exercise. Very similar to the tic tac exercise – start with the 2nd finger on one of the middle strings. This can be anywhere on the cello, but I find that around 3rd-4th position is the best place to start as this feels the most natural.
What is the best way to get good vibrato?
The tic tac technique. Shaking a packet of tic tacs up and down with the left hand/arm is the exact motion that is needed for good vibrato!