Hi Jonathan! My wife and I are completely new to the cello world. We just received our new cello. I like your videos and here is why. You explain step by step in a very clear voice and terminology . I can tell you have been playing cello for many years. I'd like to thank you for your shearing knowledge
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
Welcome to the Journey. It's long and sometimes frustrating but ever so cathartic and healing at times.
@Riverwulfe4 жыл бұрын
trying to get back into playing cello after 10 years off, and this is super helpful. also gotta love nisekoi haha
@RobManser772 жыл бұрын
I’m the same. I started and played for four years, then met my wife and stopped. That was ten years ago, and I’ve just started again.
@sandraleefuller6 жыл бұрын
OMG! YOU ARE AN AWESOME TEACHER. I AM SO GLAD I FOUND YOU.....by accident, I might add....I follow you now on purpose!. P!ease keep posting lessons.
@brittanuriahwenn82414 жыл бұрын
Hi, I just received my Cello last week and started with my first steps. your tutorial are very helpful to understand what I am going to do and keeps me practising with control, thanks so much for your tiny detailed information, not easy to find anywhere else
@benvoliofairbain67794 жыл бұрын
Due to growing up doing ballet, I feel my thumb and middle finger already are a lot more drawn to each other than the others
@CelloCoach3 жыл бұрын
😀 took me a couple of reads to understand where you were coming from, Benvolio.
@benvoliofairbain67793 жыл бұрын
@@CelloCoach in all honesty, it took me a couple of tries to write it down properly and eventually just hoped you'd understand 😂
@mjcard3 жыл бұрын
Not having grown up doing ballet, could you fill me in?
@fredvonbreuer69984 жыл бұрын
Ganz intelligente Bemerkungen, die im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes "auf der Hand liegen". Chapeau und viele Grüße aus Deutschland...
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Danke!
@TheBluetoo996 жыл бұрын
You should have so MANY more views. Thanks so much for your brilliant, concise and clear explanations - from a mature absolute beginner.
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
Thank you, TheBlueToo99. Honestly, this channel is about engagement, not" oh look at me". I share my 20 years of unique pedagogy and experience with whomever find it useful. I've never cared too much about views, as long as these videos are changing peoples lives positively, with precise, pointed techniques and talks. It's worked, all of this, in real life with cellists of all ages and skill levels, so what you are getting is the continued amalgamation of my passion for helping you (and the next cello player) arrive one step closer to your dream of playing cello.
@sujatmikopujitono21452 жыл бұрын
Your videos are a lottt more helpfull and clear than my teacher. Thank you!
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
Glad to hear that!
@leticiacantu5588 Жыл бұрын
I made a wax ball the circumference of thumb tip to second finger tip. I embedded a chopstick tangent to the sphere with tangency under the second finger tip. Gripping the ball firmly, the other three fingers were free to place along the chopstick at different spacing while gripping the sphere with second and crotch and thumb.
@WoodaPeople Жыл бұрын
Thanks Jonathan for a super helpful video! The same day I viewed it I was able to help a student see a different way to think about shifting.
@CelloCoach Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@karl75674 жыл бұрын
The cello thumb position is very close to what the electric guitar/bass thumb position should be.
@amajorseven4 жыл бұрын
Spot on.
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Glad you agree!!
@rousseauchristine46053 жыл бұрын
I play now cello. In the passed I play a lot classic guitar .The result is that my left hand is very good so I can do more atencion at my right hand,the bow.(more difficult ! )
@jensthunbo3 жыл бұрын
@@CelloCoach Classical guitarist here - I, too struggle to get my student´s left hands in ´cello position´ - I envy the vertical way you hold your instrument ;) I make beginners exercise with a pencil: Holding only with T and I, the remaining fingers are unengaged, but holding with T and M, all fingers are equally supported - again, I must envy your bow :/ Excellent video, and I hope you forgive me for ´stealing´ you tree allegory.
@knucklesprayer2 жыл бұрын
Hey Jonathan! I just got a Cello as a BD present, i haven't play cello since I moved to China, almost for 5 years, i'm trying to get back and oh boy i love your videos! Thank you so much!
@patrickwood9724 Жыл бұрын
These lessons are appreciated and most helpful! Thank you.
@gardenappreciation6932 Жыл бұрын
Lol! I love the Romeo and Juliet reference.
@CelloCoach10 ай бұрын
I like it too
@tonyhayes4980 Жыл бұрын
Excellent presentation ❤
@CelloCoach Жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot 😊
@ekx5120 Жыл бұрын
Same as bass guitar! More or less the same principles. Can't wait to make the jump to cello!
@CelloCoach Жыл бұрын
good stuff
@kkendall19642 жыл бұрын
If I could like this video a 1000 times , I would.
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
Then do. Please
@chamallow9896 жыл бұрын
There are lots of videos about starting the cello but I have never been able to figure out where to put my thumb as they never talk about that. Thank you for this video, It was extremely helpful !
@alagsgss6254 жыл бұрын
Very good! !! Cello of brazil!!!
@gardenappreciation6932 Жыл бұрын
This was so helpful! ❤❤❤
@CelloCoach10 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@ElizabethShamblin4 жыл бұрын
)k, where have you been all my cello-playing life? I always have trouble with leaving my thumb behind when I shift. Thinking of it this way is very helpful! Thank you!!
@josephnappi94464 жыл бұрын
Liked this video a lot because it provides consistency in fingering as opposed to my helter-skelter method. Do you have any videos or give lessons about playing along with classic rock songs. I'm talking about drifting in and out of the song playing background or harmony - not lead. If you listen closely to a lot of popular songs cellos and violins provide fullness to the music as background instruments. There is no sheet music showing what they are playing. I started the cello about a year ago and violin about four months ago. The best I can come up with is to play the notes in the pentatonic focusing on the root, 3rd, 5th and octave for the guitar chord being played.
@tspark10716 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Realized thumb and second finger is important.
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
You're welcome, tspark1071
@deaconpladek3 жыл бұрын
I"m another 70s (senior) that is for the first time undertaking the cello. Spent time trying to learn scales and was frustrated that I could not master the positions. I came across this video with thumb and 2nd finger as required for all cello playing. Now, I shall review all the scales and not give up until I got this position movement down cold. thanks for your help on this basic truth about how to play a cello. play-on
@chad8380 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for these videos. I can’t get a cello teacher in my area.
@CelloCoach Жыл бұрын
If you I want to learn online, send me an email
@imaginary57923 жыл бұрын
Great 😍 I like it I was suffering with alighning the thumb with the first finger and feel stressed so I will try it in the next training 🌹
@dada-qo9nd Жыл бұрын
thank you so much 🥹
@AntKneeLeafEllipse4 жыл бұрын
MIND BLOWN
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Cool!
@nishi-tjohns67926 жыл бұрын
Thank you for uploading! Your teaching method is so useful and clear.
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@cynthiaeggebeen97896 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for adding these instructive videos. They really help :)
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
You are welcome, Cynthia
@notmyworld442 жыл бұрын
It's also nothing like playing the double-bass. As a retired (38 yrs) bassist, I'm struggling with trying to unlearn bass playing techniques, and replace them with cello playing techniques. I'm especially wrestling with the new concept that the G string is where the A string was on my bass, and the A string is where the G string was on my bass. Jonathan, I'm finding your videos very inspiring and helpful.
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
Happy to help Wayne
@kathleenturley15614 жыл бұрын
I am 73 years old and have wanted to learn to play the cello all my life. Am I too old to start?
@spudmckenzie49594 жыл бұрын
No way. Never too late to start anything new. You should definately do it
@nicolasribeiro79143 жыл бұрын
You are not! In fact, nobody is too old to start learning an instrument! Its good for all ages
@unculturedswine7493 жыл бұрын
NO DO IT DO IT LEARN CELLO
@randycousineau92743 жыл бұрын
I’m 66 and play guitar. I’ve had to learn the base Clef. Once you have that your off to the races. I’m lucky I have an amazing teacher.
@gasparocelloman98523 жыл бұрын
No.
@NoaLeighMaxwell4 жыл бұрын
The anime Romeo and Juliet! x'D Yes, I will very much enjoy this channel lol.
@cheokjiagin74025 жыл бұрын
I am so impressed with your knowledge. Please keep up your good videos! And you look amazing too
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Cheok!
@andreia7x4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your videos! I am starting to learn cello and this are very useful
@CelloCoach Жыл бұрын
Happy to hear that!
@MariaMartinez-kg6ns6 жыл бұрын
Yes I'm a student thank you for your class very clear
@aspenx1304 Жыл бұрын
Great video.
@CelloCoach Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the visit
@seanhallahan143 жыл бұрын
Very helpful! Very good. Thank you.
@CelloCoach3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@almondhive2 жыл бұрын
Great explanation Thanks!
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
my pleasure
@catherinebaron1635 жыл бұрын
I love your lessons cathy from Paris France
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
Je vous en prie, Cathy!
@missbeans6 жыл бұрын
Your analogies slay me 🤣
@badbrain71634 жыл бұрын
YES! Thank you 🙏🏻
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Anytime!
@robsgirl64655 жыл бұрын
Thanks. This is one of the toughest things for me to do!!!
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
It is tough for everyone, Blind Jack. Our index fingers rule our lives, so in the re-alignment of the thumb to the middle, we have to rewire our hands (and our habits) to use this relationship when playing cello.
@robsgirl64655 жыл бұрын
👍😌🎻💖
@salvatorerossi90256 жыл бұрын
Ok mind blown. I’ve been doing extension wrong. Thank you so much! I’ll be up all night correcting.
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
Yes, the thumb is crucial to hand placement. Glad you find the video interesting, Salvatore.
@francois054 жыл бұрын
If I'm already shifting by the second exercise of your scales book, could I buy your book on Amazon? My first cello teacher was bothered that I was eager to get into position playing, so I'm excited to see how your scales book looks., Thanks, love the channel.
@juliancello45 жыл бұрын
The best teacher ever
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@TheNrun6 жыл бұрын
Excellent!
@colleenheitzler86704 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
You are welcome, Colleen!
@yakov31386 жыл бұрын
Great explaining, thanks!
@leianna36294 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
This is a super important skill, so internalise it.
@MariaMartinez-kg6ns6 жыл бұрын
Thank you help me a lot
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
That thumb of yours is a life saver, and ear saver too. :-) Control it, use it and you will play better forever, just learn it as soon as possible because it needs to be an unconscious effort, Maria. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@maggieparkins91556 жыл бұрын
great video! I like your triangles!
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Maggie
@Asagai5 жыл бұрын
Very good lesson!!
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
Much obliged, Bernard!
@olaberglund17766 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!
@janicesze38074 жыл бұрын
This is super great.
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@laurachristin94422 жыл бұрын
Very helpful!!
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@bencur71765 жыл бұрын
In classical/flamenco/folk guitar (nylon string) technique, the neck of the instrument should NOT rest in the palm of the hand. The LH thumb moves according to what you are playing, e.g., chords or scales. For metal strung guitars acoustic/electric, the neck is much narrower than a classic guitar, the LH technique is very different, more like a violin. Guitarists like the cello because the LH positions (stretches) are similar.
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
You are correct! I play mostly acoustic yet have a nylon Spanish guitar, where I play with the thumb much more. The difference between all guitars, luthes, is the alignment of the thumb in order to assure proper intonation. Intonation is give on fretted instruments, hence we cello players need to be aware of our other digits. Still, I stand corrected by you, for the thumb is essential digit with non-folk guitar music ;-)
@deadboy2765 жыл бұрын
@@CelloCoach Proper guitar technique requires thumb placement for proper intonation (though not intonation itself). Generally speaking the thumb should be parallel to the remaining digits on the backside of the neck, nearly identical to the cello. You will find a certain (though minimal) pressure is applied, but the primary reason is for maximum finger reach and clarity of sound via the finger pads. If you're interested I would suggest maybe Marcin Dylla for picture-perfect classical technique. Unfortunately the classical guitar as an instrument and a repertoire are the forgotten step-child in our genre/style.
@simplycello5 жыл бұрын
Great video and very inspiring for me 👍🏼
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
You are welcome, simply Cello.
@BoazCello6 жыл бұрын
Bravo!
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
Than you, Boaz De Oliveira Silva
@Lucas828406 жыл бұрын
Oh, you're also here... xD
@kathleenmcdowell20766 жыл бұрын
Great video thank you!
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
You're welcome, Kathleen!
@user-jg5nf8te9q5 жыл бұрын
MTKS, please inform where to get your scale exercise books,3 mantras inspire my cello soul, thanks again.
@beatryzf81282 жыл бұрын
Thank you 👏👏👏❤❤❤ hugs from Brazil!
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
Thank you too!
@nadaelnokaly49505 жыл бұрын
amazing thanks
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
You are welcome, Nada!
@nadaelnokaly49505 жыл бұрын
@@CelloCoach wish me luck i just started cello lessons 2 weeks ago =)
@mitraarfa54423 жыл бұрын
Perfect 👌
@CelloCoach3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 😄
@ethanfallismusicstudio65414 жыл бұрын
Very succinct and put together. You are very precise with your words as well. Well done. I am curious to know, with your tree and branch Mantra #3, how do you teach the beginning fingerings for songs and scales. You teach such importance for that 2nd finger but too often beginning cello pieces never use it. Public school is very similar. Heterogenous classroom Technique books tend to spend many weeks solidifying songs using 3rd finger before introducing a songs with 2nd finger. I've been experimenting with starting in C major 2nd octave rather than D Major for this purpose. Have you any thoughts around this?
@jeremiahseefeldt30694 жыл бұрын
not every position, 4th position thumb is behind finger 1
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
"Along the neck" which I believe is mentioned multiple times on the channel, with of course the exception of the 4th. I will be more clear in the future, thanks again Jeremiah!
@stefanairoldi94296 жыл бұрын
Thank you a lot !
@MarkBreton4 жыл бұрын
These videos are so awesome. I love playing my cello, despite that I am really a guitar player. It looks like it is not difficult to press the strings to the fingerboard. Are you using strings that have less tension while being tuned standard?
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
My two lower strings are strong tension, while the two high strings are medium tension.
@MarkBreton4 жыл бұрын
@@CelloCoach Thank you for your reply. I ordered a set of D’Addario H510 Helicore Cello String Set Light Tension. I will experiment with those.
@iralawrence93113 жыл бұрын
Trick works fast
@marrykm73423 жыл бұрын
hey there I'm about to start learning cello. what brand or type would you recommend me to buy?
@MariaMartinez-kg6ns6 жыл бұрын
a lot thank you
@cassiusmyers55754 жыл бұрын
I have to get use to having no tap on the cello, my school purchase new cellos. Now I'm so out of tune right now but not that much.
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Maybe consider buying some 3,4mm black matte tapes?
@michelematthews7962 жыл бұрын
My index fingers are so long that for me to have wrist up, elbow up and fingers curved my thumb can’t reach the back of the neck on my cello. Any suggestions on what I can do?
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
Adapt what your anatomy has to what cello needs. this video is merely a suggestion for retaining accuracy, though the principle remains the same for all body types.
@ronzanibr6 жыл бұрын
Great video! Helps me a lot, thank you! You mean an scale exercise book on videio. Where can we find it?
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
I can send you one in the mail. Sending an email later
@clemensgruber62136 жыл бұрын
I'm interested too!
@janicesze38074 жыл бұрын
Kindly let me know how to put the thumb correctly on the cello neck. Sould it always keep a oval shape against the cello neck?. Also, during the 4th position, should the thumb still behind the second position ? Many many thanks.
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Good question, Janice. Your thumb is not always in one shape on the back, let it be softer in its form. Allow the thumb to gently lead the hand through the shifts, yet also move laterally to lift the palm up when playing on the lower strings. Hence, we never "always" maintain a shape, while we do sustain engagement.
@janicesze38074 жыл бұрын
My sincere thanks to your rapid reply.
@barriereid9244 Жыл бұрын
Is this where the saying " I'm all fingers and thumb " comes from?
@CelloCoach Жыл бұрын
maybe
@barriereid9244 Жыл бұрын
@@CelloCoach I have watched the bow techniques (and practising everyday) now onto the left hand...thank you for your input as I am quite far away from the madding crowd here on the West Coast of Scotland.
@mysidestitches5 жыл бұрын
I’ve been taking lessons for 5 years and no one has ever mentioned this! Thanks. It didn’t feel natural at all when I practiced. It’s something that I need to be conscious of I guess. Do you have any exercise book recommendations?
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
There are many ways to teach cello, the difference for you is finding "what sticks". This "2nd & thumb" alignment has been used by me for close to 20 years, correcting countless students' bad habits. As for a book? yes! The Rick Mooney series on position Pieces has your shifting up and down the neck, and you can re-train your brain to remember this alignment is important. Here is an Affiliate link - amzn.to/2Ucg2YI
@philw39534 жыл бұрын
Why wouldn't you put the tape on the back of the neck wouldn't that help with positioning the fingers according to your method?
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
Great question Aubrey, and the answer is when you start shifting, that tape on the back of your cello neck becomes a hindrance and thus it should be trimmed away so your slides are easier up and down the neck.
@drcarlosgodinez6 жыл бұрын
My I ask something? I have been playing cello for one year and a half and my tumb of the left hand sticks out of the fingerboard. I have tryed to put it in the middle but at this point i´ts very difficult for me. Is it necessary for me to put it in the middle or may I continue playing as I do it? Thank you
@CelloCoach6 жыл бұрын
Carlos Godinez “We are all anatomically different” which means your thumb and fingers maybe longer than others’. you need to find the right technique for you my advice as long as the second finger and thumb are lines when you’re in all the positions on the neck of the cello your internation will be better. As for it’s sticking out or being directly in the middle of the neck that is completely up to you. My thumb moves along, side to side as I go from seed to a string on the back of the neck but is always aligned with the 2nd finger. This is such a good question, Carlos, that you inspired me to upload a video about it. Thanks 🙏🏻
@dougmckay95244 жыл бұрын
Hi iam very much interested in your technical issues on the cello
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
There are so many, care to be more specific?
@benjminkoteyashie7252 жыл бұрын
Hi Jonathan, please how will I get your scale book in Ghana?
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
please send me an email
@diptibrahmbhatt40892 жыл бұрын
THUT'S CRUZY BRUHUHUHUHUHUHUH
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
yup
@mipinsi3 жыл бұрын
Hola, me gusta mucho la clase pero mi inglés no es muy bueno y se me escapan cosas. ¿Podrías subtitularlo? 🙂
@kareningram15285 жыл бұрын
Where do we get your scale book at?
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
You can have one posted to you, so please contact me jh@jonathanhumphries.com for details :-)
@kareningram15285 жыл бұрын
Jonathan Humphries thank you Jonathan!
@kareningram15285 жыл бұрын
Any suggestions on learning second position? It seems a lot harder on the cello than it is on the violin!
@theodorefalconer53953 жыл бұрын
Either Kung Fu or Cello did this but 1 to Thumb is uncomfortable and 2 to thumb feels natural :'(
@jaredcarlsonripple66923 жыл бұрын
you hold the bow like a violin
@user-zb4ng8gv9l5 жыл бұрын
no dislike?? wow
@CelloCoach5 жыл бұрын
:-)
@Swiftray2 жыл бұрын
Why am i watching this, i need to practise piano
@CelloCoach2 жыл бұрын
maybe because cello is more fun?
@Krizurchini4 жыл бұрын
Romeo and Julieta, but i think my second finger wanna kill itself or something xdxd (its only a joke)
@CelloCoach4 жыл бұрын
I find it humorous, Krissia, but I'm geeky about cello :-p