Cello Thumb Position Intro & Tips | Why Beginners SHOULD Do This!

My introduction to thumb position on the cello and why I think beginners should learn this early on! Here I talk about and demonstrate 2 exercises that involve shifting on the thumb and strengthening the thumb callus. Also I talk about ways to keep correct form and how to avoid thumb tension.
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Feel free to post all questions in the comments section, and I will answer whenever I can! 💕
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#thumbposition #cellothumbposition #cellotips #cellohelp

[@The-Mad-Composer]

Hello! Love your cello technical expertise! Been a guitarist forever, everything from classical to metal, and decided to take the cello plunge! Didn't want to play one piece of music until I had the technique correct. Thanks so much 🙏!

[@parisianallen]

Thank you. It's that first finger that messes me up. I was glad to see you give it special consideration.

[@annahelg]

Thank you for this video! I think it is a good idea to point out to beginner cellists that you need a properly set up cello to do this, to make sure your strings aren't to high! I am a celloteacher and have seen a lot of badly set up (or not really set up at all, just bought online without being to a luthiers) instruments.

[@LuzLucero283]

MOST insightful beginner video I’ve seen. 🙏 from an adult beginner. You are the best!

[@CelloDoll]

AHH WOW that means so much to me! Thank you thank you and I'm so thrilled you found this helpful!

[@y2k7-9-11]

I don't play Cello...☺️🎸....but since I discovered you..while looking for Carmen Habanera....I really can't stop enjoying your 🌞 bright and happy energy you project outwards...to us.🎶🎼🎵🦉thank you.☺️

[@CelloDoll]

Aww thank you so much Federico, your support and encouragement on the channel has been amazing!

[@TheJudeP]

You are such a great teacher. Your demonstrations are so clear. Thank you.

[@CelloDoll]

You're most welcome! I try to be clear so students know how to practice on their own, but also fun so they are encouraged and creative in doing so!

[@HannahKWatson]

So nice and informative! I enjoyed this video. :)

[@CelloDoll]

Thank you so much Hannah, happy to hear that you enjoyed the vlog! 💕

[@age_of_reason]

Absolutely perfect teacher.

[@CelloDoll]

Thank you, I truly hope you found some tips to use during your practicing time!

[@saisonusgeekus6719]

thank you so much for this video! :)

[@CelloDoll]

You're most welcome, I hope you found the tips to be helpful!

[@saisonusgeekus6719]

@@CelloDoll I did! I tried them right away! I had given up on the thumb position but needed it for a piece, your video was a real thumb saver :)

[@ash-fb3tc]

THANK YOU

[@CelloDoll]

Thank YOU for your encouragement!

[@JakeSavich]

Cool 👍

[@CelloDoll]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! ☺️🎵

[@MsCellobass]

Oh wow!! Why have my teachers conveyed about thumb position being way out in advance land or that its ‘too complex’ ?? I mean just the other day i was practicing sliding thumb from 4th ti fifth position notes. Its note worthy practice but I WISH I WOULD HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THIS YEARS AGO!!

[@maddyhopper5824]

Really helpful video, thank you! Do you have any tips on stopping fingers from collapsing when playing higher up the fingerboard? Maybe I just have weak fingers but they tend to collapse in the middle and flatten and I’m not sure how to stop it 😂

[@CelloDoll]

You can try drumming your fingers curved on a table-top, go back to the cello, table-top, etc. Sometimes hand shapes are easier for us to understand if we're away from the cello. Also, going slower is better so your body has time to process/adjust to what's happening. I also just made a video about the thumb position finger shape that may be helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIbRkIeAbrCpoM0.

[@MoskRamone]

Hi, nice video, can you make a video given tips from, how to change position fast without playing detuned?

[@CelloDoll]

Absolutely, some shifting tips would make an excellent video. Thanks for the suggestions Mateus!!! 🙏🏻

[@nathanrock9269]

Practice

[@4321Silence]

Thank you so much!!! This has been so helpful! I've been playing for years and still struggle with thumb position (i only approached it after playing for 5 years...) Do you happen to remember the name of the thumb position book?

[@esthershih5575]

same man i wish I had a better teacher when I was starting out. I struggle with thumb position I'm really double jointed ://

[@CelloDoll]

Hannah C, YES it was the Introduction to Thumb Position for Cello by Benoy and Sutton (purple cover). I also found the 2 thumb position method books by Rick Mooney to be very helpful too. Also, I'm so glad you found this video useful!

[@CelloDoll]

@@esthershih5575 if you find your fingers are locking I would go slowly into shifts/thumb position and see what may trigger your "double-jointed-ness" to kick in and activate. Is it your hand's angle, is there tension, etc? There are a few factors that could cause this to happen, so don't be afraid to go slowly so you can be super self-aware.

[@esthershih5575]

@@CelloDoll do you have any tips if my nailbeds are just naturally long? I always have them short but I still have to flatten my fingers instead of curving them

[@imustbeames3727]

Saxophone player here. I am considering learning a new stringed instrument such as a violin, viola, cello, etc. However, I am concerned about wear and tear on my body. I know all of these instruments have the potential to cause strain , especially in extended play sessions. (I know it's all about form, technique, proper posture & practice, practice, practice!) . However, in your opinion, I was curious to know: ***out of all the stringed instruments, what is the "least painful" on the body to play long-term? Or even for an older adult? ***

[@laura7430]

Hey! I play the cello, and i love it! I‘ve been playing it for 8 years. I think it‘s the least „painful“, because when i’m playing my sisters violin I sometimes get strain in my neck or my arms. I would recommend the cello, it‘s sound is just amazing!

[@CelloDoll]

Great question! I personally would recommend the cello, because you don't have to deal with the neck/left wrist adjustments you have with the violin or viola. With cello your torso/upper body doesn't adjust too much from when you normally sit in a chair. Also, double bass is played without too much left hand wrist/neck adjustments too. Hope this helps!

[@CelloDoll]

Thanks for the input Laura! :D

[@imustbeames3727]

@@CelloDoll Thank you!

[@alexanrelz1979]

Linda

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I'm getting a 5 String Cello which costs only $235. It has a High E String like a Violin allowing me to play Violin pieces.

[@rominn2184]

^ Well, it would be an octave lower. You have essentially a tenor violin (a not regularly used instrument) and a cello in one instrument.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@rominn2184 The Tenor Violin is from the New Violin family and fun fact they're becoming more popular cause they fill in that gap between the Violas and Cellos. The New Violin family will really cover everything. A good song to hear from The New Violin Family Orchestra would be The Greatest Show arranged by Mark Brymer transcribed for New Violin Family Orchestra. The 5 String Cello with a High E was used in the Baroque era and the thing about playing it that should be utilized more often is using it to play Solo Violin pieces down an octave.

[@journeymancellist9247]

Not bad.

[@CelloDoll]

Hope you found this video helpful!

[@JR-px5rd]

Thank you cello Doll for a lesson on thumb position. However there is not even one view of your thumb so sorry to say this video wasn’t very useful.. At all. Maybe show us a scale using thumb position. Are we trying to put our thumb across all the strings or Just the A and D string?

[@CelloDoll]

Thank you for your feedback J R. If you're looking for more angles of the left hand, while in thumb position, then I'd suggest checking out this other vlog I made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIbRkIeAbrCpoM0. Also, please keep in mind that this was one of the FIRST cello tip vlogs I had ever made, so I learned a lot along the way about making effective teaching videos.