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Articles on the Left Hand and Arm
By Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University
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Left Hand Rotation
This article and video examine a less encountered technique of the left hand that utilizes both the traditional boxed and the slanted (pronated) positions. It is known as hand re-balancing or rotation.
Position of the Left Thumb
While the usual placement of the left thumb is across from the second finger, many have questioned this such as Gerhart Mantel and Janos Starker.
Position Changes
Many cellists do not have a system for shifting and it becomes an exercise in "note-to-note" and hoping for the best. This article recommends thinking in groups of notes when shifting instead of note-to-note.
Improving Intonation
Improving intonation is really a matter of distances; distance between notes and distances between positions. Our ear is the first line of defense in practicing but not in performance. If we hear we are out of tune in concert, it's too late - so has everyone else! We need to know the cello under our hands. Our ear tells us if we felt it correctly.
Extensions on the Cello
Extensions done incorrectly can literally cripple the left hand. The key is tension and release. Too many cellists hold extensions in the hand far too long, allowing tension to build up.
Three Finger Positions
The cello can be divided into the four finger positions, the three finger positions, and thumb position. This articles takes a look at what Starker said is the place many cellists get lost.
Cello Vibrato
Cello vibrato involves the coordination between several movements: a rotation in the upper arm, an opening and closing of the forearm, a pronation and supination of the forearm and hand, and loose knuckles in the fingers. This article and video provide a basic overview of vibrato technique.
Teaching Cello Vibrato
Vibrato can be one of the more challenging aspect of cello technique to teach. This two part video demonstrates the teaching of vibrato to a trumpet player who only had a few weeks of cello in a string tech class at CMU. A systematic method for the teaching of vibrato is presented complete with step by step exercises .
Mapping out the Cello Fingerboard
Understanding how professional cellists are able to find and play all those notes on the fingerboard is often a complete mystery to more beginning cellists. This article gives an overview of how the notes are organized into positions and patterns and gives advice on how to proceed in your mapping out of the vast terrain of the fingerboard.
Cello Vibrato Beta!
after 20 years of teaching vibrato since my first videos on the subject, I posted a new article and video on the subject called "Cello Vibrato Beta". In the article and video, I make the case for primarily using a "pulling" motion in vibrato rather than a "pushing" motion. Check it out!