How to Fix Common Problems: Getting Back Into Shape

In this video we explore how to get back into shape after a break by focusing on the most important basic movements.
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Julia Morneweg is a highly sought-after London cello teacher with an exceptional track record of student success. Her past and present students have held music scholarships at many of the most prestigious independent schools including St. Paul’s Boys School, Latymer, Alleyns, Francis Holland, Channing School, Sevenoaks and Hornsby House. She has given masterclasses and run workshops at institutions such as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the RCM Summer School, Enterprise Scotland and Tanglin Trust School in Singapore.
Her own performing career has seen her perform as a soloist and chamber musician at venues including the Purcell Room, St. John’s Smith Square, St. David’s Hall Cardiff, Zurich Tonhalle, Daning Theatre Shanghai and many others. She was a member of the Erato Piano Trio for twelve years and has performed as a guest with leading UK and European orchestras. Since 2016 she is joint Artistic Director of ChamberMusicBox, a collective of outstanding British and European musicians promoting concerts around the UK.
The break to her performance schedule enforced by subsequent COVID-19 lockdowns encouraged her to make a long-planned series of videos during. As well as looking after her permanent class in London, Julia also teaches students remotely via Zoom, FaceTime and Skype. Visit her website www.juliamorneweg.com for more information about lessons.
If you have a question or would like a specific topic explained in another video, leave a comment below!

[@barriereid9244]

April 2024 - three months on from a lay off of one month was difficult and painful to recondition my left hand. Still residue discomfort in 3rd & 4th as well the 1st finger extension. Many thanks for your tutorial. 🌹

[@anasmenendezmartinez7527]

Thanks for the info, Glad to see you again and in health ! Hi from Puerto Rico.

[@franceshenderson6219]

Happy new year! What a great aide memoire as regards best practice cello basics. Thank you.

[@sarahbrzezniak373]

Julia, I have had 5 private cello lessons, not all the way through Suzuki book one yet, purchased Suzuki book two, have been to four rehearsals with my community strings group. When should I begin working on vibrato? Thank you.

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Hi Sarah! That's a LOOONG way off still if you've only just started. As a guide, I start vibrato with my students once the right hand sound production and left hand shape are absolutely settled and all the neck positions have been learned. On average, we are looking at anywhere between 18 months and 2 years (sometimes more, depending on the age and ability of the student) to master all of the above. At the very outset, the top priority is the bow as that's the foundation of everything. Check out my videos on bow hold, straight bow, bow changes etc - they should get you onto the right path quickly. Good luck!

[@ToxicJusticeBook]

Thank you. I will take this advice to begin my practice daily. You appear to be a small person with a large cello, something never addressed in KZbin lessons. I am 5'2" playing a large/wide cello. Do you have tips for this?

[@jbrudlos]

Ah I see that you have a double jointed pinky on your bow hand - I have that too, it's usually not a problem, but I've had it lock up when I'm playing, It looks like yours is locked the whole time?- do you do anything special not compensate, or is it not a problem?

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Hi Joseph! I actually have an abnormally short pinkie (there's a whole separate video on that) and a highly unusual hand shape, so in order to actually get my pinkie onto the stick, I need to straighten that particular joint, but it DOESN'T ever lock! That's the crucial bit. The way to achieve that is through strengthening exercises that stabilise the musculature around the joint. I'd need to see your hands and bow hold to give you really tailored advice, but if you check out my bow hold video, you'll get an idea of the general philosophy and some exercises to help.