Cello Tips
LESSON 1: Acquiring an instrument is probably the first imagined daunting task.
I say this as it is really very easy. However, don't be in a hurry! Fortunately there are many shops that offer a hire service for quarter, half and three quarter and even seven -eighths size instruments for children and full sizes for adults. In London there is Kensington Music shop and Dulwich music shop, these are very reasonable. Guivier also hire out, they do have however a heftier deposit these days,more than the other two shops. I think that Foote in London also have a hire service. I shall need to check on this. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions about acquiring instruments.
PLEASE NOTE: The appropriate size of a cello is dictated by the size of the span of the left hand and NOT the actual size of the 'body ' of the cello.
For an Adult Beginner to buy outright I was extremely surprised at the resourcefulness of one of my adult pupils who went on line to Gear 4music and found a 'shiny' new cello plus bow plus two cases one soft and well padded and one hard case for well under £500. I am speculating the price increase now as he originally paid nearer £350-£400. The instrument did have HORRID Strings on it and an awful bridge however he took it to Dulwich Music Shop (London) who transformed it into an instrument that produced a nice tone and was satisfying for him to play.
For a more up market starting instrument I should recommend the Paesold instruments that have gained in value a great deal over the last years and there is quite a nice range of them now.These are selling at around £1,600.Even Stentor have a number of ranges which children like.The prices start very low. There are several different grades of manufactury of their instruments.Some are around £800 for what seem nice sounding quite presentable instrument for the serious pupil beyond beginner. They appear to be made with care with nice appearance and good tone.I am adding that I do not know whether they 'play out' ie lose their quality after a while (so many years) but I can say pupils that have appeared with these instruments have been able to produce a good sound for Grades 6,7 and 8. More information to follow soon.
I say this as it is really very easy. However, don't be in a hurry! Fortunately there are many shops that offer a hire service for quarter, half and three quarter and even seven -eighths size instruments for children and full sizes for adults. In London there is Kensington Music shop and Dulwich music shop, these are very reasonable. Guivier also hire out, they do have however a heftier deposit these days,more than the other two shops. I think that Foote in London also have a hire service. I shall need to check on this. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions about acquiring instruments.
PLEASE NOTE: The appropriate size of a cello is dictated by the size of the span of the left hand and NOT the actual size of the 'body ' of the cello.
For an Adult Beginner to buy outright I was extremely surprised at the resourcefulness of one of my adult pupils who went on line to Gear 4music and found a 'shiny' new cello plus bow plus two cases one soft and well padded and one hard case for well under £500. I am speculating the price increase now as he originally paid nearer £350-£400. The instrument did have HORRID Strings on it and an awful bridge however he took it to Dulwich Music Shop (London) who transformed it into an instrument that produced a nice tone and was satisfying for him to play.
For a more up market starting instrument I should recommend the Paesold instruments that have gained in value a great deal over the last years and there is quite a nice range of them now.These are selling at around £1,600.Even Stentor have a number of ranges which children like.The prices start very low. There are several different grades of manufactury of their instruments.Some are around £800 for what seem nice sounding quite presentable instrument for the serious pupil beyond beginner. They appear to be made with care with nice appearance and good tone.I am adding that I do not know whether they 'play out' ie lose their quality after a while (so many years) but I can say pupils that have appeared with these instruments have been able to produce a good sound for Grades 6,7 and 8. More information to follow soon.
LESSON 2: Seating and posture
Assuming that you now have an instrument, the next area to focus on is the Chair:
The next concern is that you have the right sort of chair on which to sit.
I prefer wooden chairs and I have a beautiful one for my practice. No sloping seats or metal sides and definitely no arms on the chair.
Assuming that you now have an instrument, the next area to focus on is the Chair:
The next concern is that you have the right sort of chair on which to sit.
I prefer wooden chairs and I have a beautiful one for my practice. No sloping seats or metal sides and definitely no arms on the chair.
.
Sitting:
You should ideally sit half way on the chair certainly not fully on the seat. No further than half way back on the seat.
Shoulder:
Once seated with the cello resting on your LEFT Shoulder. Note that the top of the back of the instrument is resting against your chest.
Knees:
Your knees should be holding the instruments lower ribs and NOT visible through the 'waist' of the instrument.
Arms:
Try breast stroke (seated at the cello) then arms as weighing scales (one arm high whilst the other is low and then the other way round).
Now this may seem a bit 'new age' just sit for a few moments. Morning and evening.
Some people suggest watching the news on the television in this position.For a child I suggest they watch or listen to their favourite programme for a short while in this position.
RELAXATION CHECK : What are your shoulders doing?
Try this, whilst sitting with your cello as outlined above. Raise your shoulders to you ears five times, do this gently. You should discover that after the fifth drop of the shoulders they will be lower than they have ever been within your living memory.! They are in their natural comfortable position. Which is a very good place to start.
Bow: You do not need copious amounts of rosin on your bow at this stage of the proceedings, it is a common mistake people make. I suppose they feel they are 'equipped' when the bow and everything else within an area of five miles is covered with rosin dust.
Speaking of Rosin: I have known some players who are allergic to rosin I believe there are Hypo -Allergenic brands available, definitely in Germany and probably in the UK now.
You should ideally sit half way on the chair certainly not fully on the seat. No further than half way back on the seat.
Shoulder:
Once seated with the cello resting on your LEFT Shoulder. Note that the top of the back of the instrument is resting against your chest.
Knees:
Your knees should be holding the instruments lower ribs and NOT visible through the 'waist' of the instrument.
Arms:
Try breast stroke (seated at the cello) then arms as weighing scales (one arm high whilst the other is low and then the other way round).
Now this may seem a bit 'new age' just sit for a few moments. Morning and evening.
Some people suggest watching the news on the television in this position.For a child I suggest they watch or listen to their favourite programme for a short while in this position.
RELAXATION CHECK : What are your shoulders doing?
Try this, whilst sitting with your cello as outlined above. Raise your shoulders to you ears five times, do this gently. You should discover that after the fifth drop of the shoulders they will be lower than they have ever been within your living memory.! They are in their natural comfortable position. Which is a very good place to start.
Bow: You do not need copious amounts of rosin on your bow at this stage of the proceedings, it is a common mistake people make. I suppose they feel they are 'equipped' when the bow and everything else within an area of five miles is covered with rosin dust.
Speaking of Rosin: I have known some players who are allergic to rosin I believe there are Hypo -Allergenic brands available, definitely in Germany and probably in the UK now.
CLARITY Hypoallergenic Rosin (definitely available for violin check up on the cello variety). AVAILABLE FROM http://www.sdlmusic.com/
Look up the make KOSTEIN Anti-Allergy Rosin and check by the name of the product it is available in the UK.
Let me know of anything that you might have discovered worth sharing from these tips
Look up the make KOSTEIN Anti-Allergy Rosin and check by the name of the product it is available in the UK.
Let me know of anything that you might have discovered worth sharing from these tips