Cello Lesson - The Best Posture for Playing the Cello

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In this video, Prof. Mendoes shows you what's the best posture (position) for playing the cello, with easy-to-understand visual examples.
Be sure to post your comments, questions or requested on this video's dedicated page below:
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Enjoy your cello learning and be sure to share this video with your friends or with anyone may find it useful!
If you are wondering what's the music played at the beginning and end of the video, that's the Prelude from Suite No. 5 by Johann Sebastian Bach for cello. Find the sheet music of it, instantly downloadable at the link below:
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And be sure to like this video!

[@MiltRodgers]

Love the video. I was taught to lean forward from the front of the chair. I've found that that position for me introduces tension. At the same time, I'm told not to have any tension in my playing. So I sit back and get a beautiful sound, tension free

[@virtualsheetmusic]

That's great!

[@janetbaker8203]

Joseph thank you for making this video; I am brand new with a Cello and this has taught me well;

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Great to know you found this video helpful Janet. Be sure to check out all other videos by Joseph on VSM: www.virtualsheetmusic.com/experts/joseph/

[@RiotBike]

Thank you so much for sharing this. This is by far the best cello instructional video I've seen and it has help me a lot

[@virtualsheetmusic]

+Simon Tay Thank you for your input on this video - You can also direct your questions or comments to our expert with the link in the description - Please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@kwcnasa]

it really help as a beginner.

[@cbacus1]

Great video. Thanks for the information on keeping the hand position the same and keeping the elbow up. Really helps with big shifts!

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Thanks for your comment, great to know this helped you!

[@stanleytseng9292]

thank you, it's been very helpful!

[@danieltamunotonye1050]

it really changed something in my position as a beginner

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct your them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@alfredoredionigi7928]

Grazie! Congratulazione per i tuoi video! Very useful !!!

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Thank you! Glad you liked them! Be sure to check out all other videos by Prof. Mendoes on VSM: www.virtualsheetmusic.com/experts/joseph/

[@TheManuelNegrete]

Muchas gracias! Thank you ! Please keep uploading videos!

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Manuel Negrete So Glad you enjoy! Please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted!

[@cathygoltsoff9615]

I am new to the cello and played violin as a child. I am 5 feet tall and am not using my end pin. I tried to use it and then I have to slant my cello to more of a leaning back position. I am short and I feel the cello best works for me when not extending the end pin. Also I moved my cello downstairs while waiting for a repair man and I was sitting on a comfy chair practicing and my cello started to slip away (cello leaned back and was sliding) while I was playing it - sliding further away from me on the hardwood floor. Is it ok not to extend the end pin ? I am finally playing Suzuki Cello play-along (after 2 months of floundering)music after learning how to tune my cello and control the bow and read and play the base clef.

[@bellehollins]

Posture is so important! As a recovering flautist (lol), I have the posture down. But I am struggling to figure out how to hold the cello and definitely having a tough time with the bow hold. I keep wanting to balance/anchor it with my palm on the pinky side. 😳

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Hi Belle, Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@veraicon1]

Thank you for this very informative video. I have been really having a problem, in that I am a larger woman, and have to deal with some considerations for being larger on top. I have a Stalhammer endpin, but I am having a difficult time finding the position where I can get close enough to my cello. I have been taking lessons, via Skype, with someone, but I feel as though it is difficult to really grasp without really being in person. I should also say that I am a music teacher, albeit in the vocal performance and chorus area. I have been teaching for 21 years, and so I am only new to cello, but not to music. I have tried sitting back in the chair, but that is not good, and so now I do sit forward... my instructor told me that I should be able to look down the fingerboard, so I literally have had to say, kind of position myself on top of the cello, to be able to get that position. Anyway, any advice is always appreciated, but I often wonder, is everyone who plays the cello skinny? I can assure you that I am serious about learning, I happen to LOVE this instrument, and I am invested in learning it well and discovering a new voice through my cello. Thank you for your time. It was a pleasure watching your video, and I did subscribe, and I look forward to watching more of them!

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Thank you Veronica for sharing your cello experience with us. Keep it up!

[@heathermcdougall8023]

I' a medium sized female who is tall. Your best bet is to play the cello with more spike out, so you can play at more of an "angle" (many top cellists have adopted this position) then you can mostly rest your breasts on the top[ of cello itself. I do this as I'm a bit top heavy myself. As you lean even more forward for thmb position, it get s even better. The only thing is that obviously you feel the vibration of the cello on your "chest", but with a good padded bra, all will be well. Have a look at Paul Trotelie'splaying position, as an example.

[@lorenwoodson9164]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Hi Loren, Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@tweebroeken]

I recently switched to playing Cello after 15 years playing the Viola. My biggest challenge is in the shoulder of my bow arm. It seems to be very difficult to relax my shoulder. Could you provide me with Some tips please?

[@PamelaMou1]

tweebroeken me too! I ache when I play the A string because I pull my right shoulder forward. Someone told me that cellists don't raise the whole elbow to cross the strings as we would on viola C but let it flop relaxed by the side.

[@kwcnasa]

great info, thx a lot.

[@virtualsheetmusic]

Glad you liked it! Be sure to check out all other videos by Joseph on VSM: www.virtualsheetmusic.com/experts/joseph/

[@MrTommieadamsphoto]

This is great. Do you have any recommendations for cello teachers you know or aware of in the Washington DC area (Virginia and Maryland are nearby as well)? Would love to get back into more personal instruction.

[@LifeByChocolates]

Do you tilt the cello slightly. In the video, it looked straight on. Thanks. Good video.

[@virtualsheetmusic]

+Mark LaPolla Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct your them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@薄霧-h9p]

very useful thx ！！！

[@kennvineyard8255]

Does the height of the cello have individual variation?

[@virtualsheetmusic]

+Kenn Vineyard Thank you for your input on this video - If you have any questions, please direct your them to our expert with the link in the description - Also, please feel free to check out the other videos that we have posted! Best of luck!

[@stevenj9970]

Who on earth taught you to keep your little finger off the bow like that?