Finger Spacing on the Cello

[@ForestTaber]

Thank you!

[@CelloProfessor]

You are very welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@angelacajot-ricci8251]

Thanks a lot ! Although, I struggle more with 3rd and fourth space ! they're almost glued together...makes it very hard for intonation 😢 is there something else you could suggest ? 😊

[@CelloProfessor]

Yes, basically it's a problem of finger independence. Try this exercise (be careful not to overdo this, you could hurt yourself) - Place your first finger on the C string, the second finger on the G string, the third finger on the D string, and the fourth finger on the A string. While holding the other strings down, raise and lower your pinky finger and bring it back down to the A string. While keeping the rest of the fingers down, now do the same with your third finger on the D string. Do the same with the other two fingers while you're at it. Start with five reps per finger and work your way up slowly from there. Also, I recommend some isometric exercises between your third and fourth fingers. Practice spreading between third and fourth fingers in your left-hand but resist them with fingers from your right hand. Does that make any sense? Put your index finger on the left side of your pinky and your thumb on the right side of your ring finger. Leave a little space between the fingers but push out and resist with your index finger and thumb of your right hand. Again, is that clear at all? And don't overdo this to. You could strain your fingers. Just do it a few times and let that be good enough for one day. I hope that helps!

[@davidlowther8886]

Me too! 🎻

[@angelacajot-ricci8251]

Thank you so much for your explanations ! I will try ! 😊

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

Thanks for the video, Mr. Fiste! Regarding your last point: Do you mean that a beginner shouldn't be taught a hand position that is based around the balance of the fourth finger, but that they still should learn to use the fourth from the beginning? Or would you recommend to start solely with the lower fingers and then work your way up to the third, and lastly the fourth? Also unrelated question: What cellists, as well as other musicians, inspire you and your playing the most?

[@CelloProfessor]

Yes, that last point I said kind of quickly and it wasn't very clear. In the string world there is a point of view that beginners should start on the fourth finger with all four fingers down and work back to the first finger. In my experience, on the cello, a beginner is going to put all four fingers down with the very finger spacing problems I'm addressing in the video. It works great on violin but not so well on the cello, IMO. I much prefer to start with first finger and work my way up to fourth finger. It's much easier for the beginner to correct the spacing problems this way. That's a good question! I think different cellists inspire me in different ways. I love the musicality of Yo-Yo Ma and the way he uses his vibrato. I love Jacqueline du Pre's energy and expression. And I love the vibrato and sound of Rostropovich. I love Janos Starker's approach to the cello and his clean and effortless playing. I love how Navarra approached the bow hand and arm. I love the way Paul Rolland, Hungarian violinist, approached movement on the violin. Those are a few anyway! Thank you for watching and listening!

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

@@CelloProfessor Ah, I see. Yeah, I can see both point of views on that one. Thanks for claryfing! Also, great list of cellists. I just recently discovered Paul Roland. Seems like an interesting man with interesting ideas. Cheers