Mastering the Basics: Creating a Good Left Hand Shape

In this video, Julia breaks down how to construct and maintain a good hand shape from the word go.
00:00 Intro
00:32 What is a good shape
02:57 Learning to build the shape
04:41 Mind the thumb!
06:33 Placing it onto the cello
10:02 Correct alignment
British cellist Julia Morneweg enjoys a flourishing international career, having performed 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 is Joint Artistic Director of the London-based ensemble ChamberMusicBox, works as a guest with some of Britain's finest orchestras and can be heard on numerous film and television soundtracks.
Based in London, Julia is a highly sought-after 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, Godolphin and Latimer, JAGS, Whitgift and many others. She has given masterclasses and led workshops at institutions such as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, Music for the Future (Slovenia), the RCM Summer School, Enterprise Scotland and Tanglin Trust School in Singapore.
Having started teaching online during the pandemic, Julia now works with students worldwide. Visit her website www.juliamorneweg.com for more information about lessons.

[@angelacajot-ricci8251]

Hello Julia, thanks for these precious tips ?I have a problem, my 4th and 3rd fingers are almost glued together and I can 't have a nice space between them. Therefore the alignement is never correct. Would you have any suggestions for this problem ? Thanks for your answer !! ❤

[@JohnP470]

Hi Julia, Thanks for another excellent video. If you don't mind a question about a different topic 😀- is rosin on the left C bout a bad sign? I assume it is not good but if it happens frequently - every practice session I wipe a little off - does that indicate bad posture? It only occurs when I play pieces with a lot of notes on the A string. Generally, my shoulders are directly above my hips and there isn't any noticeable twist in relation to my hips. I also lean the left side of the instrument slightly upward. Thanks in advance. Please keep posting - offering your expertise is a super valuable public service for us cellists across the world! Thanks again!

[@suzannebrown8500]

Thanks, I’ve just discovered your fantastic videos! I’m wondering what your thoughts are on left hand tension. I can’t play for long due to a sore hand. I’m working on it but would love your perspective. Love your work!

[@Globeguy1]

Hi Julia! I'm one of your new subscribers. Thank you for the new video. I

[@juliamorneweg5416]

Thank you so much for subscribing! I hope you'll find the content useful.

[@CelloTube-vs7mf]

I have watched a lot of great cellists play on video (Feuermann, Rostropovich, etc) and I have noted that they very often play with an extended thumb. Not a flexed thumb, which you recommened here. How would you explain that they are able to play well with a left hand set up that would be deemed faulty?

[@christophergrafton7087]

good video thank you

[@barriereid9244]

🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🌹