Cello Masterclass: Constructing a Healthy Bow-hold

[@ajaynemusic]

Wow, thank you! This has been really helpful!!

[@albertomunoz9443]

That is the most accurate and pedagogical way to teach holding the bow for we begginers. Thanks Julia.

[@wingkongyip4424]

That is the best explanation on bow hold I’ve seen.

[@annbruin]

You've helped me so much with saying your hand will melt in all sorts of contortions. It drove me crazy, but now I know I'm normal! Hallelujah

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Realistic expectation management is a REALLY important part of teaching! Especially for people who are used to acquiring new skills really quickly, this can become very frustrating and demoralising otherwise. Trust the process and you'll get there!

[@xnaao]

The contact points thing helped me a lot. For several months I struggled a lot with the bow hold because I was focusing on where the tips of my fingers should lay. It never matched what I saw on video (because of the size of my fingers) and was very uncomfortable. But focusing on putting the bow in the "crease" of my middle finger changed everything. Thank you !

[@jacquislasher3572]

Thank you ! Your tutorial on bow hold is probably the best I’ve ever seen, very visually and orally concise. As an adult learner I spent a few years with two sore thumb joints, because I wasn’t made aware that my thumb needed to be bent until I changed teacher, he undid a few of my bad habits which I developed due to lack of understanding.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Julia Morneweg This applies to the CodaBow Joule for Cello too.

[@Valdir1981]

Loved this approach to the bow. Thank you for sharing it 🌹

[@christinewatters2879]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@blackcat138]

Alright, I'll keep practicing this. Thank you.

[@kkendall1964]

Great explanation.

[@stephenedwardleemusic8997]

thank You!

[@rick5489]

Thanks. I looked at him. He seems as tall as I am. Truly amazing.

[@barriereid9244]

Along with a new bridge came a new bowing and bow hold....from intermediate student to...doh! 🍧🌹

[@christinakellenberger9045]

Do you use the same approach for very young children (4/5 year old) or do you hold the bow closer to balance point?

[@faithite]

Thank You. Indeed I have short pinky on both hands. I always thought I was holding my bow wrongly! My middle and ring fingers fight each other for the metal ring. Even my hands are too large!😅

[@HelenA-ow3pw]

I’m an adult learner who is left-handed and really struggling with bow hold. Does being left-handed make it more difficult, as my right hand is much weaker. Any tips? Fab video by the way 😊

[@xnaao]

I don't know about the left hand. But I'm right handed and the bow hold is definitely a big struggle for me.

[@juliamorneweg5416]

It doesn't make a huge amount of difference in my experience. Bow hold simply takes time. As I'm saying in the video, it will initially 'melt' hundreds of times. The key here is to diligently start the process I'm showing all over again every time that happens. (Don't try to become faster at it - only better!) With time, you'll notice that the intervals between the meltdowns become longer and longer as you build the necessary muscles.

[@HelenA-ow3pw]

@@juliamorneweg5416 thank you so much for reply 😊

[@weiderhsu]

Based on your bow hold guideline, that means if comparing the finger power of holding a mark cup and a bow, the power of holding a bow should be lower that holding cup, right? Even playing a hard piece of concerto, there is no much power on fingers. is my understanding correct?

[@YngveSkarphedinssoon]

Vielen Dank

[@rick5489]

Does the indicator on the middle finger hold true if you have long fingers?

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Yes! It doesn't matter if the fingertips hang over the end of the heel. Can't give you a better example to look at than my wonderful colleague Sasha Volpov (who btw has taught me more about playing the cello than anyone!): kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4a4oJZpepJ6frc

[@YngveSkarphedinssoon]

A point not address here the thumb has to be bent not straighten. Is that Correct?

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Watch one more time from about 3:50 ;-))) Go with the natural curvature that you'll get when you hold a mug, bottle, glass etc and you can't go wrong.

[@olemps6420]

i keep alternating holding a cup and the bow and it keeps throwing me off because of the weight of the bow and im not sure where to place my pinky it feels weird i dont know if its too far down is there a golden standard for pinky placement? thanks

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Apologies for not replying sooner! The short answer is: there isn't! Because it depends hugely on individual physique. I myself have an abnormally short pinky, so it just about makes it onto the stick. Someone with longer fingers might have theirs coming quite a long way down. Apply the alignment principle that I explain in the video (middle knuckle of the middle finger and thumb) and wherever the others naturally land is usually the right place.

[@olemps6420]

@@juliamorneweg5416 tanks for the response - the main problem i have is always that when i stretch the wrist after the arm movement 1. my thumb keeps slidingggg 2. my pinky doesnt pronate properly and often slides too far down 3. feels kinda heavy and this feels like it stems from not being able to apply enough force to get a proper resonant vibration any idea how to get out of this rut