How to Fix Common Problems: Squeezing Left Thumb

In this video we take a really thorough look at the most common root causes of a squeezing left thumb and explore strategies that will help you get rid of the issue once and for all.
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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.
The break to her performance schedule enforced by the COVID-19 lockdown has finally enabled her to make this long-planned series of videos. Julia currently 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!

[@vinchenzie]

Incredible - this was the exact help I was looking for - thank you for taking the time to do this. So many gold nuggets!

[@RealKorean8080]

Thank you very much for your logical, reasonable advice of left thumb problems. Great helped. God bless you as always.

[@donnabyrd6368]

I'm still confused on how you are squeezing the ball and not using your thumb

[@TontoTonto-hb4eb]

I stumbled across your site by pure serendipity...what a treasure trove of useful information. Some of the more herculean challenges I've confronted since beginning my cello quest as an adult learner 18 months ago, in one form or another, you've identified, dissected, and provided common-sense solutions for. With many thanks.

[@juliamorneweg5416]

So glad you're finding the content useful! Happy practising!

[@alexandranabyonga9108]

Thanks Julia. Much appreciated

[@nicolasrahnama6333]

thank you very informative video .

[@matthewrace3532]

Thanks.

[@rick5489]

Julia, you are absolutely the best when it comes to technical info for learners. I previously commented one dealing with making a straight bow. That was so awesome, and now this, another great video which solved another of my problems. The change from retracting my left shoulder to squaring it has allowed me to not only get better strength from my fingers but also to eliminate squeaky sounds from touching the other strings. My thumb has been liberated! I'll get those balls anyway. Thanks again.

[@juliamorneweg5416]

So glad this was helpful to you! Retracting the left shoulder is SUCH a common problem for cellists and the root cause of tons of technical problems.

[@oliveelena4036]

Very helpful information. My daughter actually has squeezing left thumb! She needs to watch this video!

[@juliamorneweg5416]

It's one of - if not THE - most common technical problem I see in children, but the strategies I describe in the video usually solve it quite quickly. The exercises just need to be done very regularly, because the necessary muscles can be built quite quickly, but they also easily decondition again.

[@saruskaphaneuf]

Hey!! Great stuff! Thank you and please, keep.it up! Very nice

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Many thanks, Kaisuky! Let me know if you'd like me to make a video on anything specific!

[@saruskaphaneuf]

@@juliamorneweg5416 I just founded your channel, it's great, I'm enjoying it all. Well, I'm a somewhat "late beginner" cellist who wants to, eventually, work as a orchestra musician, I'm practicing Popper #1, slowly moving do 3 octaves scales for 4 octaves, starting arpeggios, basically working with Feuillard Daily Exercises. But would be great to hear from a professional like you some tips on how to organize practice session, which technical exercises should be included and when, some ideas about progression of the repertoire, etudes and so on. Sometimes is easy to feel a little lost. Thank you so much

[@juliamorneweg5416]

@@saruskaphaneuf Brilliant question! Practice is a HUGE topic, so I will try to break this down into several videos exploring different aspects, strategies and practice techniques. Will also try to come up with some suggestions for studies and repertoire for specific levels. If you want absolutely tailored advice on what would be beneficial to you at this point, feel free to get in touch with me via my website to arrange an online lesson.

[@franceshenderson6219]

This is absolutely great Julia. Thanks so much. You've covered everything. I will order some magic hand balls immediately!

[@alexandranabyonga9108]

I'll be interested to have a lesson with you.

[@randycousineau9274]

🙏🏽🌺

[@dvremmele]

The second issue (moving the shoulder away from the neck of cello) might be because beginners see the finger all the time when learning the spots.

[@juliamorneweg5416]

It certainly is. That's why I don't use any stickers whatsoever with beginners. It teaches a totally wrong mechanism of finding the notes (ie visual rather than by using the ear) and leads to the very problem we're talking about.