Talk 100: Bridges and Strings

For the final Cello Talk I went to Jordan Hall in Boston's New England Conservatory to let you hear the difference between French and Belgian bridges, and between three different A strings. Cameras on the stage and balcony captured sound close up, and distant - which is so much of what really counts.

Dvorak and Shostakovich with - French Bridge : 01:10 - Belgian Bridge : 02:35 - Belgian Bridge - Jargar A : 03:53 - Belgian Bridge - Tomastik Spirocore A : 05:28 - Belgian Bridge - Larsen A : 06:42 Brilliant

[@pr-ji1ni]

Dear Mr Finckel, a million times thank you. I've only been playing for six months, and I do have a very good teacher here in England, but still, these videos have helped enormously to make be a better cellist. I was reading about your career and I really have no idea where you found the time to film and share 100 videos. But I am sincerely grateful that you did. Thank you for your generosity and kindness!!!

[@anuno106]

Hi david! Please don't let us without 100 lessons more! I know there's a lot in here but..you can do it! You are the most f great teacher ever...i write them all...thank you very much! You are making history...be shure..best regards from argentina! Your voice make us play better!

[@anisometropie]

Please continue with this series, this is just amazing !

[@triciawartenberg6350]

Mr. Finkel, thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to post these treasures. I first listened to these last summer (2015) when I had my first cello lesson. I had my debut a couple of weeks ago, and though I don't yet call myself a cellist, I believe I contributed to the music. I've followed many of your tips since last summer including holding the instrument, bowing, caring for my instrument (I use the brass pad to clean the strings), string selection, vibrato, practicing and many other suggestions. I love that you are an A-list cellist, yet you often leave it up to the listener to decide what's best for him or her or the particular instrument. Very, very well done, sir! Thank you!

[@Gilgamesh827]

These 100 cello talks have been an amazing guide to making myself a better cellist. Your impact on my playing and thinking has been tremendous. I couldn't have hoped for anything better to appear on the internet. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@cellode]

Thank you so much for your time and your input, Mr. Finckel. I am grateful for your instruction and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from you.

[@daisyjefferson434]

Thank you so much Mr Finckel for doing these talks. I have watched every one of them and have learned so much. You are an amazing talent with a wonderful insight into the art. I urge you to continue with them if at all possible.

[@guitarstudentbob4523]

Thank you so much for all your talks! As a beginning cellist who lives quite remotely your talks are a cornerstone of my learning.

[@lisandroacosta9927]

Thank you very much mr finckel! Your videos really helped me to grow up as a cellist and as an artist here in Argentina! please come whenever you want! Thank you!!!

[@lucatrica]

Mr Finckel,from Colombia I don't have words to express my gratitude to you,and the little childs who I teach cello i cant wait for know you i going to her concert in Bogota

[@clotwich]

Thank you David for your generosity and expertise!

[@MrDaduh59]

Still enjoying your videos in 2019. Still inspiring at least one more would-be cellist. Thank you for sharing your talent and expertise.

[@cszrwi]

Thanks David I started as a beginner four years ago, could not find a teacher but I found your videos on youtube. You have taught me from scratch and now four years later I'm in in the process of learning the courante from the first Bach Suite which is the last dance I need to learn before I have the whole first suite. I keep re watching the cello talks and I find something new every time. Thanks very much for such a priceless asset. The style is perfect. I now have found a teacher and she can not believe I learned to play from youtube. Many, Many thanks David.

[@grahamrodger372]

Fabulous David. Others keep it secret. You share. Fabulous.

[@NunoBarbosaCello]

I want to thank you for every piece of knowledge you shared with us. I wish you could post more 100 videos! There are a lot more questions and advises you can give us. :) Thank you!

[@NunoBarbosaCello]

I must thank you for every piece of knowledge you shared with us. I wish you could post 100 videos! Thank you!

[@tomclowes]

I watched every one of your videos and they have been a great help to me in my playing and teaching. Thank you!

[@shakuzen7]

David, thank you for your great generosity in sharing your knowledge and experiences - and most of all, of course, your music. I have watched all 100 videos and with this being the last . . . well, I guess I'll go back and do it again! I feel you are a friend. All the best to you and Wu Han!

[@C0urante]

French Bridge: 0:47 Belgian Bridge: 2:10 Jargar A: 3:53 Spirocore A: 5:29 Larsen A: 6:42

[@kristianlind8691]

Thanks a lot for making these videos. I'm a bass player but still found almost everything useful (I play tuned in fifths)! Great stuff! :)

[@cwill7177]

Hello there David. Thank you so much for the videos. I am a returner after 7 years of illness so that I find that nothing is natural anymore but I have been helped tremendously by your video series. Please continue to share your expertise with us. I particularly like the logical and scientific basis of your techniques and exercises, as lack of clear explanation caused me to stop training with my last teacher. Being told that something needed improving but not providing clear explanations or exercises to allow the student to improve is not useful. As a university lecturer by day education is only possible by a master really analyzing the stages they took to that point. I thank you again for your reflection and analysis. Christine UK

[@painter1955]

Bravo and encore!

[@yoMURVY]

This is seriously one of the best youtube series. I need to meet you in person one day and make you proud.

[@robcat2075]

Thanks for doing your series. I've only begun to plow through them and now I'm disappointed there are only 100. Best wishes for your future career.

[@xinchenli5018]

Thank you so much!

[@Petisa0]

THANK YOU DAVID

[@cindymcfarlane9371]

I have some catching up to do... This is great!

[@aristideduplessis8151]

I really think that there is not such a huge difference between the strings. Your playing is just too awesome! Kind regards from Zürich!

[@elrichardo1337]

Why doesn't he do any more cello talks? I LOVED them!!!!!!!

[@ginokim99]

david thank you... I bought a cello and went to your vids

[@MsCellobass]

I have Jargar strings A and D g obligado and C spirocore on my Luis and Clark cf.

[@eschelar]

Cool. It is more than a privilege to be a viewer. It is a blessing! I have watched them all, taken notes and I have been stunned at every single step and on every single video at how simple the items are that are discussed, yet how valuable and even profound the gems of your experience can be if viewed as something to draw from. Deepest thanks!

[@PatriciaTavaresDW]

I can't belive I found your account, it's awesome and it is being very helpfull, thank you very much. Could you please do a video with the fingermarks like they do to little children? But for a full cello, for making things easier you could say how many inches seperates them apart and wich notes each mark gives. I would be very pleased. (And lots of people) Thank you very much... Patricia*

[@littlebachmonster]

What're your favourite etudes

[@maxcohen13]

That Larsen A sounds the richest.

[@roriccunningham348]

Shostakovich Cello Concerto!!!!!

[@ericoschmitt]

Add a zero, make 1000!!!