Cello Bow Control Exercises with Kirin McElwain

[@LessonFace]

Find your ideal online cello teacher: www.lessonface.com/music-lessons/cello

[@Greendragoncatharsis]

Thank you! This is very useful. And you're very matter of fact. I appreciate that.

[@kirinmcelwain]

thanks!

[@carllparson8982]

You were excellent in your explanations and demonstrations. Can I get a pocket version of you, that would be available during my practice sessions. Thank you, thank you. Different Cellist have different styles of playing, therefore it is conceivable that we have a preference for Teachers... your mine!

[@hoatran-rq1ip]

Masterful teaching.

[@kirinmcelwain]

thank you :)

[@hamsack981]

This was wicked helpful. Thank you.

[@kirinmcelwain]

yay. glad to hear it.

[@clarabernreuter4876]

yay great vid we watched this in class super helpful!

[@kirinmcelwain]

awesome!

[@stradivaristrings]

Great video, Kirin!

[@kirinmcelwain]

thanks!

[@matthewedey]

I play the violin and I've never had this problem before, but since I've started trying to learn the cello, there is this extreme pain and tension in my wrist and I can't continue playing until I shake that out. Is this something that will go away the more I do it? I believe I am holding the bow correctly and relaxed as you are.

[@kirinmcelwain]

My guess is that you might be orienting the cello bow in the same way that you oriented the violin bow (super common among former violinists/violists). Also curious about what your thumb is doing.

[@waynehowells6301]

You seem like the perfect teacher who actually takes her time slowly to show good bow movements step by step. I just got my cello and awaiting to take classes online with a Juilliard professional on zoom. Would you reccomend that and if not what would you reccomend for me possibly? Just don't want to waste 45 dollars an hour if it ends up being not the best start. What do you think?

[@kirinmcelwain]

thanks for the kind words. online lessons, just like in-person lessons, are extremely worth your time and money with the right teacher. if you feel discouraged after lessons or like your teacher seems like they don't know what to do with you, find a new teacher. if lessons are fun and you feel empowered in your playing, then it's a good fit.

[@ferranblasco5805]

Great lesson, thanks!

[@NoaLeighMaxwell]

"Many students use too much bow on the second note" Whoops it me. Yeah, I get such tunnel vision over getting to the second note that I lose half the first note xD Time for me to slow down and focus on bow control.

[@kirinmcelwain]

we can always slow down and refocus on bow control :) it's good stuff.

[@clarencereddick2811]

What Bach suite is this at the end of this bow lesson?

[@lindybruton3912]

Very helpful...do u have any tips for the bowing with double stops...i feel like my hand is weak at times...i am a beginner..

[@kirinmcelwain]

omg i have so many thoughts on double stops...feel free to get in touch via my website.

[@dalistar8086]

I did it!!

[@createdforjoy9323]

thanks! great exercise!

[@kirinmcelwain]

thanks, glad you found it useful.

[@Jcl46]

That is so helpful thank you

[@kirinmcelwain]

awesome, glad to hear.

[@michaelwas8549]

This looks really simple but takes some practice for sure.

[@MsCellobass]

Thnx!

[@kirinmcelwain]

you're welcome!

[@RiotBike]

Thank you!!

[@wuhsiaofen]

Thank you

[@justinking204]

whats the name of the piece you where playing at the end?

[@ddaengjoong]

+justin King the Sarabande from the 1st Bach suite

[@justinking204]

+ddaengjoong thank you good sir

[@Unknown_Saints]

What if it squeaks or doesn't make a clean sound when doing it. Especially at the A string

[@kirinmcelwain]

Too much pressure, and/or trajectory. The weight of the bow itself is more than enough to get the string vibrating. Challenge yourself to see how softly you can hold the bow when you put it on the A string. Think of allowing the string to support the bow, rather than you trying to "hold" the bow on the string, if that makes sense.

[@DreamsOfSappho]

thank you, this really helped :)

[@etsukohisao6632]

Helena Möllerst

[@kirinmcelwain]

glad to hear it!

[@Lynkevmusic]

thank you :-)

[@shiellacarmen9424]

much better if your background is bright color =) NICE LESSON

[@ko6497]

lessonface looks interesting

[@PTCello]

If you oriented the camera vertically you could get closer, (which is important for detail demonstration) and still show a full body view

[@F-0908]

你這支琴声很像我 撿到的那把大提琴!

[@broncojonnes]

would be easier if you could see the notes like guitar yo

[@akuio9711]

Naaah, just use ur feelings/muscle memory dude

[@elmore707]

Your name means giraffe in Japanese :)