CELLO ISSUES: How to Get a Good Sound

[@GRANT-W-NEALE]

You have such incredible explanations. I'm blown away by how precise and clear you are. Thank you 🙏🙇‍♂️

[@lindabarcelo5952]

You presented amazingly good information here -- it makes so much sense what you say and you expressed it so very clearly. Thank you !!!!!!!

[@stephaniemiraglia2877]

I've been playing for 40 years and I've always worried there might be a "trick" or two I was missing with regard to sound quality. You so beautifully explained that a good sound is gotten by LISTENING and making small adjustments to each note. Thank you, Georg.

[@kamikan22]

This resume it all, you just stop thinking on anything you are doing and everything does itself while you maintain the same quality of sound on everything you do. I play all strings and on violin/viola the FIRST feedback you get is the sound from the strings, that dont give you any dynamic or anything, so you tend to ruin your sound to sound piano or try to use too much force for forte. Just after I started hearing that sound(from the strings) only to maintain an equal full sound and trusting that more bow will sound louder for example, I started hearing all the armonics and everything the sound of the actual instrument makes. Literally I could mold every single note on the go and notice when you are near the limit of a particular note can handle... After that you dont even need to maintain a straight bow.. just keeping the sound full of harmonics will make that for you On cello is less noticable because you dont have the strings on your face but I did a change from one moment to the other and is literally this

[@stephaniemiraglia2877]

@@kamikan22I took your advice Tomas, and turned off the "thinking" part of my brain and just focused on listening, as well as staying relaxed, and letting my bow arm "flow." What a difference it made! You're definitely correct in that it's possible to overthink things...

[@kamikan22]

Yeah is crazy how just changing what you are paying attention changes everything. It is amazing how not trying to hear intonation or anything, just maintain this sound that also has a very distinct feel on the right arm. And now every interval is clear and hearable, and even (slightly) out of tune notes don't sound horrific on recordings because they make the instrument resonate in tune anyways (and also this probably makes correcting intonation almost non-hearable) this realization was a day before watching this vid, so I am still amazed

[@IAm010110]

As I decide to pick up cello and looking for lessons. Thank you. Don’t need them. Will just listen to you. Speaking my language. 🙏

[@georgcello]

Just want to mention, I published the updated version of my Cello Method including video lessons. If interested, go to www.georgcello.com/sheetmusic.htm#PART1

[@ritualee10]

This is wonderful. I'm a professional guitarist who just got my first cello and this video is absolutely priceless!

[@Robyn19fnq]

Thank you again Georg. I'm hoping to see more of your instructional videos in the future. Not only are you articulate and precise in the information you impart, but you live in a most beautiful part of Australia (nearly as beautiful as the tropics where I live). We are learning so much from you!

[@jorisArt]

Thank you for this thoughtful, thorough and intelligent discussion of tone production. I have watched this several times and feel like I understand what is necessary to improve my sound. I am very grateful 😁❤️

[@georgcello]

You are welcome

[@derkallert9017]

Sehr, sehr hilfreich und im ganzen Netz nirgends sonst so erklärt, vielen Dank!

[@perryrossmusic1672]

Hi Georg. I am an adult who started playing 5 years ago. I just stumbled across this video. You have no idea how much this has helped me. Your explanation on how to hold the bow with as little pressure as possible at the frog has completely changed my playing. Now my grip is relaxed, no tension in my thumb, no tension in my hand or shoulders. The sound is more even, string crossings are more easy and consistent, I do not get hand or thumb cramps while playing a long piece. Also, because my bow hand is relaxed, I find my right hand seems to relax more. No more grabbing the bow tightly to apply extra pressure on the strings to increase the sound volume. Other instructors have said " don't hold the bow firmly" however what does that mean??? Your explanation, and demonstration, of how to hold the bow with as little pressure as possible, is what made the difference for me. I cant believe the great sound quality I am now getting with so little effort from my right hand. Thank you, Perry from Kingston Ontario, Canada

[@georgcello]

Thanks Perry, makes for me the effort worthwhile to hear your story!

[@drawntofashionillustration9596]

I am part of Georg’s Patreon series. He does great teachings for cellists. I like the interesting stuff in his living room too.

[@IanSeckington]

Excellent advice. Thank you for putting this together and illustrating the differences in approach.

[@skyricharde6629]

Wow, thank you so much for this. This is the single most useful and beautiful cello lesson I've had.

[@Luolaoshi]

Omg, thank you for share your bow technique . Explaining very clearly and also have example.

[@musicenvelope8119]

"At first I will hold the bow, as if I can’t play cello." I looked around and immediately thought of myself…😁 Thanks for sharing techniques to improve quality of sound.

[@PhillyRailFanatic]

I’m a beginner and a stickler for sound quality. This is great information for great foundation that is helping me! Thank you!

[@danilorico2668]

Thank you very much, Maestro. Your examples are so good. I don't speak English very well, but your exercises and tests are so clearly explained. Thank you.

[@funnynatimuk]

thank you very much for this video. Rebecca

[@jeffmarett321]

Wonderful!! Wonderful!! This is what I have been looking for. I often make some pretty scratchy noises. Now I know why. THANK YOU!!

[@mnemonyss]

This was extremely helpful, subscribed!

[@endo-poptart]

This is amazing! Im just beginning my cello journey and your video has been very informative! Thank you so much Georg!

[@r.p.1949]

thank you! I have been playing for a number of years and have always had a different than traditional bow hold, having grown up on a farm, and working in a restaurant,I lack flexibility in my hands, and I find the traditional bow hold extremely painful...I believe the information you have presented will help me improve my sound quality :)

[@BrunoKramm]

it is really a gift to listen to you. I learned in this lesson so much more than watchibng ten other tutorials. Thank you so much!

[@nancyloeffler-caromusician5543]

Thank you so much! Wonderful explanation!

[@dahlrussell]

Marvelous detailed analysis. So very informative and lots to think about. Many things here that I have done for years "instinctively" and now realize I need to pay more attention to. Thank you for your generousity in sharing this.

[@jenna2431]

Sensible, observable, clearly conveyed. LOVE your teahouse garden; crazy enough--I also refurbished my garden as an Asian garden last year. :) Definitely looking into your method. I'm a beginning-again cellist. I purchased one last summer (as a break from the gardening!) finally after playing 48 years prior for a couple of years in junior high, unable to continue because my family couldn't get me an instrument of my own. I struggled along until I ditched scales and positions and sat and ground through the notes in each string with one finger, to really learn them and not just 2nd position 3rd finger. These suggestions are so organic, so intuitive, so personal to the player and their own instrument--like lovers. Like "Learn to play the damn thing, not just play at it."

[@garymcguire8108]

I've been struggling with producing sound that doesn't screech. And your explanations definitely give me a direction to start working on that. I could see myself bowing all the wrong ways as you explained the reasoning behind each subject. Thank you so much for this video! I'm excited to get behind my cello to start working on my sound.

[@AnyaSheven]

thank you for this video. It is really insightful and helpful!

[@TheBereangirl]

Oh, this gem of a video is going on my favorites list! And I can finally let go of my killer bow hold that is killing my hand...I'm free!☺️

[@FranklinAltunaCellistLawyer]

Thank you so very much for your time...You are such a Maestro Congratulations!!!!

[@npfduggan]

Excellent explanations. Thank you.

[@acamassia8077]

So helpful!!!! Thank you

[@meandnooneelse539]

You are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible knowledge!!!

[@blackcat138]

That was helpful. Thank you sir.

[@grahamriach3297]

What an excellent video! Thank you.

[@FredHsu]

The things I learned from this videos. Sigh. I wish some had told me these decades ago.

[@artemi-music]

Thanks for your video 🙏

[@Dparrey]

Your videos are always so helpful and clear. Your content is so good, but i'm surprised someone hasn't just given you a nicer camera/recording setup at this point. The content deserves it lol

[@georgcello]

Maybe one day!

[@MarthaStOnge]

@@georgcello I love your videos. Only problem is you speak too softly. You're a wonderful teacher.

[@KonradT4]

Vielen Dank, your explanation is clear and very helpful. I am towards the end of the AMEB grade 3 book, and this video has really helped me to understand the subtleties of bowing. It is so rewarding to be able to make such sweet tones. By the way, is that a viola da gamba in the background? It is too far from the camera for me to be sure but it looks like it might have frets.

[@georgcello]

Yes it is a viola da gamba - with frets and all. Just went to the instruments museum in Markneukirchen - they had a viola da gamba without frets. For us today it's either one or the other, but there were so many fluid experimental instruments in between! - OMG just looked again - no, in the background is a cello needing repair, in other videos I have my viola da gamba in the background!

[@philosophyattiffanys]

This is so generous and incredibly helpful - thank you!! :-)

[@elgreco7412]

Thank you! Your videos are great!

[@laurids2007]

Thank you so much. I love your videos. 💖

[@StephanieLau123]

great teaching! thanks!

[@BLANCOYNEGROFILMS]

Thank you!

[@ilyasinci789]

This is amazing !

[@laurietop8731]

At around minute 7, you talk about and demonstrate that the bow should stay parallel to the bridge and not to the floor (I *think* that is what you're saying?) But when you demonstrate with three slow notes, the bow doesn't look parallel to the bridge. What am I missing? Am I viewing it from an angel that is not giving a good perspective? Newbie here, trying to understand. Thanks.

[@sofiapaolucci7200]

0:44 what song is that?

[@sarar6608]

It’s the first Bourée from Cello Suite No.3 in C major, by Bach :)

[@abhijeetdchawan]

Gratitude

[@hesusanna7283]

I kept making screeching sounds I hope this helps me

[@sinisterspawn]

*My cello does not make any sound when I go to play... Please help*

[@georgcello]

maybe no rosin on the bow?

[@jhonycleiton327]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@royprovins7037]

No matter what I try I squeak the A string

[@edjefferson9175]

This man has lost the ability to get a bad sound from the instrument!

[@georgcello]

Haha, you have no idea, I can make it sound pretty awful!