How To Hold A Cello Bow with Mike Block

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Here's a sample lesson from Mike Block on how to hold a cello bow, which is very important to do properly before learning more advanced techniques: artistworks.com/cello
Learn how to play cello online from Mike Block at ArtistWorks and get direct feedback on your playing through Video Exchange®. Click the link for more info about the Online Multi-Genre Cello with Mike Block!

[@uhoh007]

10 Bow videos and here is the first which mentions "flat hair". I assumed flat hair was the idea, otherwise use less hair in design, but flat is far less comfortable on cello. Thank you, Mike. I'm amazed at the basics so many teachers don't mention, and not for lack of sentences. Subscribed.

[@nettyford4784]

This lesson is very helpful. Thanks so much Mike!

[@Judi7Caroler]

Thank you, Mike. I'm a frustrated beginner!

[@alaralpaca1486]

best cello bow hold video i've seen. i've always struggled with how to balance the bow with the thumb and this explains it very well. thank you.

[@iceberg220]

Thank you! this is the best illustration, ever!

[@jasoneduwaiti2978]

Very helpful thank you Mike!!!

[@MariaMartinez-kg6ns]

Thanks Mike a lot for the class

[@TheTeacherAccompanist]

Great tip on bow hand. I'm a beginner cellist and this is really helpful

[@frostup5163]

Very HelpFul, Thank You.

[@sn3pz891]

Please, please, please, PLEASE, pay attention to this if you play cello. I’ve played cello for many years now, and have held the bow very incorrectly for all of that time. Now, I must correct myself, and because I am not used to it, it feels very uncomfortable. Which, trust me, it shouldn’t. Pay attention!

[@hallihallo7548]

Same😅

[@kathykoszegi9252]

Same here too!

[@EdgarLindo]

I am so bad. I have to use the pinky finger as a counter balance on the other side of grip. The cello doesn't hold the bow in place if I just place the bow on the strings.

[@sasha206]

I noticed that you said that many players tend to stretch out on the bow. It's comforting to know that I am not the only player who has this problem. Even though I have noticed this problem recently, it's been difficult for me to change it. Once this is how I have been holding the bow for a few years, I can't seem to get myself to break this habit. If you have any ideas or suggestions on how to break this bad habit, please let me know!

[@MD-wk3gj]

“The rule of thumb for the fingers...” 🤣 1 thumb 4 fingers but the thumb is in charge.

[@stephenpauls5136]

What. I would like demonstrated is how the Cello rests between the legs or knees. There has to be an angle because yo get the A string, I keep poking my left knee. Thanks.

[@Codymeister99]

Check out Pablo Fernandez. He advocates moving thumb onto the frog away from the notch.

[@christianchauvin6283]

What music is playing right at the beginning of the video? Thanks!

[@LauraTheMusician]

I'm a little confused - is it OK for your bow hand to be touching the hair most of the time? I was always taught that to avoid touching the hair if at all possible in order to prevent oil buildup.

[@a.mackey3499]

im 13 and i have very small fingers. So far, this video has been worthless to me because nothing matches my finger size. Do you know anything that can help?

[@ArtistWorksInc]

Hello - thanks for your question. If you are a young cellist with smaller fingers, there are are smaller bows available that might fit your hand better. If you want to stick with a full size bow, you should attempt to approximate the locations of the fingers as best as possible. Good luck, and please sign up for the online cello school to get personalized feedback on your playing!

[@BlueBrixProductions]

ArtistWorks cool he's composed in a lot of places right,

[@ArtistWorksInc]

sure has, he gets around that Mike Block

[@thepaintbucket1231]

Your bridge is so warped

[@katrinlangewellpott8804]

I quite like that you focus on a relaxed, natural hand. Just out of interest: why do you start with the A-String and not with a lower string where the arm and shoulder can be much more relaxed?

[@KirstenKinchlea]

You have to apply more pressure to properly vibrate the lower/thicker strings - this can be challenging when you just learned the correct, relaxed, bow hold. Also, forming the habit of extending your right arm in the correct manner (as he stated - not too high, not too low) is important to reinforce early as the bow hold is.

[@davidhuckaby832]

I always cringed when touching horse hair. Grease on your fingers eventually stains the hair with a dirty spot.

[@powbobs]

Straight thumb is better.