Why TAPES ARE GOOD for your CELLO PROGRESS | Cello Coach Talks

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[@nohandleXD]

My teacher never put tapes on my cello. He wanted me to get used to not using it. Good call. Whatever works for any student to help them.

[@CelloCoach]

Yeah, it is like training wheels or floating vests, it helps acclimate your hand structure to cello. I was recently in Paris, filmed a "violoncelle d'enfant" made in 1720. The cello had ivory inlays in the same places as my tapes for my students! Will post that video soon

[@kazdenkoehn9343]

Every student is different! I had tapes on my cello for around 2 years and I couldn’t hear anything. I finally convinced my parents to take me to a teacher and the first thing she did was remove my tapes. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Yes it was hard to play without them but eventually it makes u a better player. I recommend all of you to start with tapes and gradually take them off replacing them with ear training.

[@CelloCoach]

Perfect example of the power of tapes and the evolution of a student's ear

[@Fire91ful]

My teacher used pencil markings so they naturally fade, and if I still needed them I could re shade them. So I was never aiming for the obvious color because you had to actually look to see the markings helped me really listen.

[@CelloCoach]

happy for you

[@ditto303]

When I started with the violin I specifically asked my teacher for tape and he did attempt to put some tape on but not without repeating how it was for children, and children alone and adults shouldn't use them. Eventually, I felt shame enough before the first tape was even put on so I never had tape on my violin. When my cello teacher introduced me to the first position she taped the first and fourth finger. But she used clear tape because "we have to be discreet" :D It's a bit thick so I still have to look if I'm at the center of each tape. So I'll look into those chartpaks, thanks for the suggestion.

[@CelloCoach]

Anytime! Those tapes are the best!

[@VO_JayRedding]

"Stick around a while" with a video on tape, that sounds like a pun lol

[@petrapaints]

I just donated. I will donate more when I have passed Christmas and New Year. Thank you so much for your videos. And when I have more time, I will try again to translate your videos in Dutch.

[@CelloCoach]

Thank you, Petra!

[@MiaDobie]

Thanks for the cello tape link because i have been googleing "cello tape's" and instead it came up with "Sello tape" then after that we decided to try and use marsking tape, but then we relised we did'nt have them too! (which was close) Thanks Jonathan for creating this video!

[@CelloCoach]

Look for PET tape

[@garyb2392]

Looks like the most difficult this ever! I hate leg work! Still though I’ll give it a try

[@CelloCoach]

We have 2.5 mm of error to be correct, so train up

[@ellenanna55]

I have a question, I’ve done both, as a beginner with a “callous cushion” band aid on the back of the fingerboard for poisoning my thumb and taped on the fingerboard, 1st and 4th ginger. My teacher used the same tape you suggest, in black. I noticed you use colors. Am I supposed to FEEL the tape as a place my fingers, or am I looking at the tape after I place to make sure they’re in the correct spot. I thought I knew but quite honestly, I can’t feel the tape as one might a feet on a guitar.

[@CinnamonIce]

Beautiful video again, thank you Sir :)

[@CelloCoach]

Thanks!

[@8Steady]

You don't have the confidence to remove your skate stopper, but you DO have the confidence to admit to the world that you're learning to disco dance on skates! HA! I love it... and you know I'm just teasin' you . I'm getting back into cello after many years of not playing, and your videos are great. You're obviously a good teacher. Thank you!

[@CelloCoach]

Yup, a total n00b at roller disco! Like I am ten, skating to Billie Jean! ;-) and welcome back to Cello, 8Steady!

[@JacksonHollo]

When I started playing viola, I used tapes, and after a few months, I took away the 2nd finger tape, then I started getting more adjusted to the position, so I got rid of the 1st and 3rd finger tapes, now I have worn down 5th position stickers that are gonna stay for awhile

[@aijohn8437]

Very helpful. I’ll try ChartPak tapes

[@CelloCoach]

I learned about them from a newspaper editor. They are the best!

[@MsJ3ny]

Thank you very much for your help! What is the name of your app?

[@MrZerRap]

Hi Jonathan! Big fan of yours right here! Congratulations for the great work! One question please, I'm a intermediate player, I have a Medium knowledge of the majority of positions up to the 4th, but I simply can't get any progress! I study and study and my intonation doesn't get better and I can't play harder passages! For example, I can play the prelude from Suite 1 from memory, but the sound just doesn't come that clean. What do you suggest?! Big thank you and lots of Love!

[@CelloCoach]

Thank you for your comment and support, XZKNZØ. Positions, from 1/2 to 4th, need to be trained individually, so your body can act without your mind thinking about it. Shifting between positions will be effortless and unconscious for you one day, yet where exactly are you shifting and how are the four fingers relatively placed to the thumb in each different position? I have some Position Pieces instructional "how-to's" in the to help you. As for Bach, this is a tall order that humbles all cello players at every level. You "clean sound" is a a delicate balance between left hand finger and bow placement, along with the speed and pressure you use on both hands simultaneously. You are asked to actively engage a conscious effort on these 4 physical movements, and at tempo too, by Bach. I suggest you start with the UR text bowings, approaching every measure like a chord. Like in the third measure: are you already pressing down and "playing" the F# and C prior to the bow touching the low G? In the sixth measure: does the 3rd finger remain on the C#, at all times? Does the 4th finger continue playing the D# in m.13? Does it stay pressing on the C in m.17? How is you bow? Does it active 4 different pressures as it glides along the string crossings? Do you martelé the first noted of those measures? Yeah, SO MUCH THINKING, RIGHT? That is why you should stop thinking and allow the body to remember these nuanced movements unconsciously. The prelude is definitely in the queue. ;-)

[@jervilopez1844]

My teacher used tapes when I started until book 2. After that its all about ear training. (I studied with Suzuki method)

[@CelloCoach]

Your teacher did the right thing. Tapes are there to help train the spaces, not the places. Those "spaces" are the intervals between fingers, i.e. ear training.

[@jervilopez1844]

Its very effective as well. But before that, since I was 10, he had to explain the left hand position with a story haha. I love suzuki method.

[@buddyadams4781]

I've seen those at auto parts supplies for putting like decorations.

[@CelloCoach]

Yeah, kinda like it. Make sure it is PET tape - gizmodorks.com/blog/all-about-pet-tape/#:~:text=What%20is%20PET%20Tape%3F,great%20for%20creating%20clean%20models.

[@zanisbordo2651]

What do you think about using teflon tape (used in plumbing)? Could that work?

[@CelloCoach]

Electric tape is better yet try different things until you find the correct solution

[@gregfocker123]

What brand/type is good for Australia? Chartpak is only sold for 1000% markup here, or for cheap via amazon.... which won’t ship to Australia.

[@CelloCoach]

I am looking into this! Will return for an answer ;-)

[@sophie94magdeburg]

though the disadvantage may be when you rely on these tapes too much and never learned how the tone has to sound; in a situation where you cant tune your instrument, lets say in a concert especially when you're in an orchestra and your instrument came out of tune e.g. because of the temperature you either wont notice or might not be able to adjust your finger positions to match the tones right...

[@CelloCoach]

In your orchestra situation, as it has happened to my students countless times for the last 20 years, they all knew they were out of tune and waited for a break to retune, and played a bit high or low to compensate. In my professional life as a section cellist, the same applies. But you have a good and valid point: the disadvantage is over reliance, but we are not talking about those who have already a sound ear and consistent hand position. Here is an example: I teach orchestra camps every summer and that first rehearsal with the kids is an ear sore. I apply tapes and it is like magic: the ensemble sound much better. The argument I make for tapes is training, not a crutch. For instance, when I make the instructional videos with tapes for this channel, I have to press harder, for longer periods of time and more exact than if I were to play the same pieces without tapes. It's like running with weighted shoes or boxing with weighted gloves: when the weights come off, the fists and legs are faster. Same with the tapes: when I remove them from my own cello, my precision is more exact and the used pressure is more keen than prior. Like mentioned in the video, the number of cellists who improved exponentially with tapes that without is proof in the pudding. It works for experts as well: in the Dvorak 1st movement - after the animato on the 2nd page, those slurred sautillé sixteenth triplets in thumb 2 - I place tapes for the thumb to slide, training until the spacing is on point. Then I remove the tapes and repeat. Anyways, thanks for your thoughtful comment!

[@sophie94magdeburg]

Jonathan Humphries wow really fast response 👍 i personally have just one tape for the fourth finger on my Cello and at the beginning i had a second one on the neck for my thumb but it soon began to annoy me when I was learning how to shift; anyway on my violin I have two tapes for the first and fourth finger because I switch between an acoustic 7/8 and an electric 4/4 😁

[@CelloCoach]

I am uploading right now! Burning that midnight oil here in France :-) Yes, that thumb tape is a perfect example: it is a life saver for the novice but an annoyance for a more advanced player. Remember training wheels on your first bike or a floating vest for those first visits to the pool ( I wore silly arm "floaties" for days!)? Remember when you wanted to ride faster or actually dive underwater? What literally saved you life in the pool becomes an annoyance later on. Ok, about the 7/8 and 4/4 : in the long run you are making life harder, just based on my knowledge of sizing but that is even not standard. Have you heard of japanese sizing for cellos? As for your electric, super cool! I had a ND CR6 zebra wood and it was so nice! What do you play?

[@sophie94magdeburg]

Jonathan Humphries your metaphors are just perfect :D my electric violin is a pretty cheap one from Ebay just to fiddle around; also my cello is only borrowed from the music school cause I just cant afford an own cello yet but I'm definitely looking forward to buying my first one when I graduated and have a job 😅

[@zuzana676]

you play cello over 40 years????? did I hear well?? how old are you? 41 :DD

[@magicdaveable]

Searching for the notes? The tape is useful for learning "muscle memory."

[@alexr1587]

This is so confusing! You did NOT explain how to use the tapes?!!!!! Confusing video

[@CelloCoach]

@3:42 I link TWO VIDOES showing how to set tapes. In this video, we learn WHY tapes are good, and we use them to "train the spaces, not the places" for the fingers. Seems like you did NOT watch this video thoroughly. 🤔

[@alexr1587]

@@CelloCoach You did not say the MAIN THING (because I am an absolute beginner) do you put the fingers on the tape or in between the tapes! (Not how to put the tapes on.) That is why your video sounded so confusing!!!!!

[@CelloCoach]

Fair enough, Alex R. My apologies, for I presumed you knew this and the channel is not about making any presumptions. Yes, we place our fingertips on the tapes :-)