How to hold the cello bow, demonstration and trouble shooting | Adult Cello

Still hunting for that comfortable cello bow grip?
In this video I provide my take on how to establish a great bow grip as well as demonstrate and trouble shoot some of the common issues adult learners have along their cello journeys.
This is an excerpt from a recent monthly masterclass I offer as part of my Cello in 30 Days Course. In it I answer questions and provide feedback on video excerpts from my online students. I created this masterclass so that my students can share their progress and learn from each other, and in that spirit I'm offering it to you here on KZbin.
Check out my course: www.adultcello.com/courses
Billy Tobenkin is a Los Angeles-based cellist who specializes in teaching adult learners. As a professional cellist who started playing the cello from scratch at 25, he is in a unique position to help others, like him, who found the cello later in life. He has developed strategies from his own musical journey to accelerate the learning process, and he is here to share them with you.
Please contact him at [e-mail] with any questions or comments! Or visit adultcello.com

[@karenmiller8090]

Has anyone ever told you that you are a GODSEND? Or am I the first? Your images and analogies are so so helpful!

[@adultcello]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it!

[@eggysando]

Bow hold has been one of the hardest things about beginning to learn cello for me. It took a month before I could get comfortable with it. Now I have to work on keeping the form when I use my left hand lol

[@adultcello]

Hi! I know exactly what you mean, putting the hands together is such a challenge at first. That's great that your bow hold is feeling more comfortable though, and congrats on starting your cello journey!

[@loisannshannon6972]

Just took up cello again and had to rethink bow hold again. Looked at many videos. This is the most helpful I've seen!

[@heatherhartman3129]

Great video…. In the past year I’ve had to re-evaluate my bow hold completely after playing for 3 years and I’ve improved greatly but I’m not totally satisfied with where I’m at with it. Gonna keep working on it!

[@adultcello]

Hi Heather, I love hearing that, keep up the good work!

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

I change my hold depending how I feel...its never the same any day and my thumb has always had a mind of its own.Grt channel.

[@mroudemus410]

Thank you so much for such great instruction. I am just beginning, and this helped me so much understand how to grab the bow.

[@JP-dj2op]

Your videos are so helpful. They've made a huge difference for me.Thank you for making them!

[@cdy9192]

Thank you for this video!!!

[@aspenx1304]

Oh my goodness. I've been trying to figure out the bow hold FOREVER 😩

[@adultcello]

I totally understand! It's crazy that one of the more complicated aspects of cello playing is required right from the start!

[@cdy9192]

Thank you for making this video!!!

[@adultcello]

My pleasure! :)

[@artanimeandothershtuff965]

I tend to put a lot of pressure on my pinkie when I hold the bow. Does anyone have tips?

[@angelique5710]

Very nice explanation. 👌 Now let me try the two ink dots on my fingers, and the brush and paint the dog! Thank you

[@jineu21]

Thank you very much for your lesson. But how is the force distributed among the fingers? My teacher has told me that the force is only on the index and pinkie, and the two middle fingers are just there for balance. So she said she was taught to practice by holding the bow only with the index and pinkie with the two middle ones lifted. Is this true?

[@mrssibelius]

Our joy stick...

[@H-DA]

I don't get it 😒 If I relax my hand the bow will fall down as soon as I turn it horizontally. If I want it to stay in place, I have to lock at least 2 fingers, but which and how??? I can hold a violin bow without any effort but the cello bow is so heavy, it just doesn't work. 🤷‍♀️

[@moonamigi]

Exactly I don't understand how they grip but relax at the same time and not drop the bow

[@MiltRodgers]

Arm weight...I'll play my cello with an orange