# celloprofessor.com ## Pages - [Copy of Cello Books (sheetmusicplus)](https://www.celloprofessor.com/copy-of-cello-books): This page provides links to cello books, etudes, and method books I recommend. - [Audio](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Audio.html): Audio cello samples of Jamie Fiste: Sonata for Cello and Piano by Claude Debussy, Sonata for Violoncello Solo by Paul Hindemith. - [String Explorer](https://www.celloprofessor.com/string-explorer): String Explorer is a strings program taught by the student ASTA chapter from Central Michigan University. - [Practice ideas](https://www.celloprofessor.com/practice-ideas-cello): An index of articles on practice techniques from your friendly neighborhood cello professor, Dr. Jamie Fiste. - [Cello for violinists](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Cello-for-Violinists.html): Cello technique for violinists: Articles and videos for the violinist. - [Left thumb](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Position-of-left-thumb.html): An article providing an overview of the techniques and movements involved in the left thumb in cello technique. - [Neck & Jaw Tension Release](https://www.celloprofessor.com/release-neck-tension-cello): Neck snd jaw tension while playing the cello can lead to tension in other parts of the body. Learn some strategies that can help! - [Beginning left hand](https://www.celloprofessor.com/basic-left-hand-position): This article describes how to introduce a basic left hand position on the cello to beginners. Topics covered include the position of the fingers, wrist, elbow, and thumb. - [Finger spacing](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Finger-Spacing.html): Teaching finger spacing to beginning cellists. A method for teaching proper spacing between the fingers on the cello. - [Cello Haven High School Camp](https://www.celloprofessor.com/high-school-cello-camp.html): Cello Haven! Join other high school cellists for a three day dive into cello technique and music making in Clarkston, Michigan led by Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello of Central Michigan University and Anna Mamassian, Orchestra Director at Midland High School. - [Three finger positions](https://www.celloprofessor.com/three-finger-positions-cello.html): An article about the three finger positions (fifth though seventh) that provides resources for learning. - [Ideas for the first year](https://www.celloprofessor.com/ideas-for-the-first-year.html): Ideas of what to cover in the first year of cello lessons. - [Mapping out the fingerboard](https://www.celloprofessor.com/finding-positions-cello.html): An overview of how the notes on the cello are organized into patterns and positions. Tips and ideas are included for learning how to map out the fingerboard. - [Bow arm](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Right-hand47arm-position.html): Cello bowing technique used at the lower half of the bow and upper half of the bow to most efficiently apply power into the string. - [Clean shifting](https://www.celloprofessor.com/clean-shifting-cello): Learn how to sift cleanly on the cello with Professor Jamie Fiste of Central Michigan University. - [Holding the cello](https://www.celloprofessor.com/holding-the-cello.html): How to hold the cello by Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello of Central Michigan University. - [Basic principles](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Basic-principles.html): Basic principles of cello technique for a tension free approach to the cello. Broad principles are provided that will be applied throughout the website. - [Cello/String Pedagogy Links](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Cello-Links.html): Cello links for cello products, string pedagogy sites, sheet music, mater classes, and scholarly collections. - [Passive/active motions](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Joints-and-motion.html): The importance of a distinction between active and passive motions in cello technique. - [Extensions](https://www.celloprofessor.com/cello-extensions.html): How to execute extensions or stretches on the cello in such a way as to prevent a build up of tension. - [Left hand rotation](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Left-hand-rotation.html): Left hand and arm technique on the cello involves rotation, not a rigid, fixed, or static position. - [Controlled Spiccato (advanced)](https://www.celloprofessor.com/controlled-spiccato-advanced): An in-depth look at controlled spiccato and how to teach it by Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University. - [Relaxed wrist](https://www.celloprofessor.com/tension-right-wrist-cello.html): This article and video look at why the right wrist gets tense in cello technique and how we can release it. - [Basic Controlled Spiccato](https://www.celloprofessor.com/beginning-cello-spiccato): What? Teach spiccato to beginning cellists? Not possible! Find out how to teach spiccato to beginning cellists by Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University. - [Cello Vibrato Beta!](https://www.celloprofessor.com/more-cello-vibrato-ideas): This is a follow up page to my original cello vibrato exercises. I experimented with these exercises for three years, trying them out on students and myself! - [Beginning bow hold](https://www.celloprofessor.com/basic-cello-bow-hold.html): How to teach the cello bow hold (not grip!) to beginning cellists. - [Principles of shifting](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Principles-of-Shifting.html): General principles of shifting on the cello. Analysis of technique. - [Cello vibrato](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Cello-Vibrato.html): An article and video providing an overview of cello vibrato technique. - [Bow Arm Circles](https://www.celloprofessor.com/bow-arm-circles-cello): Learn smooth bow changes with circular motions at the tip and frog. Accompanied by a demonstration video, enhance your cello playing technique! - [Fingering charts](https://www.celloprofessor.com/cello-position-fingering-chart.html): Cello Fingering Charts of the Four Finger Positions. - [Repetition done properly](https://www.celloprofessor.com/repetition-done-properly-cello): Repetition is vital when practicing the cello but we need to be smart about it. Learn how from your friendly neighborhood cello professor, Dr. Jamie Fiste! - [Sitting and balance](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Proper-sitting-position.html): How to sit while playing the cello. Maintaining balance, finding chair height and feet placement are all covered in this article. - [Learning sequence](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Sequence.html): This article provides a basic sequence for teaching beginning cellists from balance and holding the instrument to combining the hands and note reading. - [String Crossings](https://www.celloprofessor.com/string-crossings): Learn how to execute string crossings on the cello with Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University. - [Sautillé](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Sautille.html): Sautillé on the cello. How to play and teach Sautillé bow stroke technique on the cello. See video demonstration - [Relaxed bow hold](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Loose-bow-hold.html): How to play with a relaxed hand while holding the bow on the cello. - [Resources/Downloads](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Resources-downloads.html): Resources for the public school orchestra teacher. This page gives recommended resources for teaching cello and strings as well as many free downloads that are referred to in the sequence for teaching beginning cello. - [Action Studies](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Action-Studies.html): Action studies or movement exercises for cello inspired by Paul Rolland, famous violin pedagogue. - [Portato/Louré](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Lour23347portato.html): How to play and teach the Louré or portato bow stroke on the cello. Analyzes the technique and gives exercises. - [Straight bow](https://www.celloprofessor.com/bowing-straight.html): An article and video on keeping the bow straight while playing the cello. Well, at least most of the time! - [Right Hand and Arm](https://www.celloprofessor.com/right-hand-and-arm.html): An index of articles and videos by Jamie Fiste on the bow arm and hand of the cello. - [Improving intonation](https://www.celloprofessor.com/cello-intonation.html): Ways to improve you intonation on the cello! - [Teaching vibrato](https://www.celloprofessor.com/Teaching-Vibrato.html): An article and two videos demonstrating how to teach vibrato to cello students. - [Store](https://www.celloprofessor.com/store): The cello sheet music store of cello professor.com! - [Cello Books](https://www.celloprofessor.com/cello-books.html): This page provides links to cello books, etudes, and method books I recommend. - [Lifting the Fingers (new)](https://www.celloprofessor.com/lifting-the-fingers-cello): And often overlooked technique on the cello, how to lift the fingers off the string is crucial to maintaining a relaxed left-hand position. - [Foundations](https://www.celloprofessor.com/foundations.html): An index of articles by Jamie Fiste of celloprofessor.com on the foundations of cello technique. - [About the author](https://www.celloprofessor.com/About-me.html): Biography and photo of Jamie Fiste, Associate Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University | celloprofessor.com - [Beginning Cello](https://www.celloprofessor.com/beginning-cello.html): An index of articles and videos on beginning cello by Jamie Fiste. - [Skype Lessons](https://www.celloprofessor.com/skype-cello-lessons.html): Take Skype cello lessons with Jamie Fiste of CelloProfessor.com. - [Cello Lessons](https://www.celloprofessor.com/cello-lessons-michigan.html): Take cello lessons in Michigan with Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University. - [String Camp for Adults!](https://www.celloprofessor.com/string-haven.html): Emerald Isle String Haven camp fosters a welcoming and encouraging environment for amateur, adult students of the violin, viola, and cello in Clarkston, Michigan. We have technique classes, chamber music, and string orchestra! - [Purpose statement](https://www.celloprofessor.com/purpose.html): A statement of purpose, aims, and goals for the website celloprofessor.com. - [Study at CMU](https://www.celloprofessor.com/CMU-Music-Dept.html): Study cello at the School of Music at Central Michigan University with Jamie Fiste. - [Support this Site](https://www.celloprofessor.com/support) - [S&E Toolbox Rondeau](https://www.celloprofessor.com/rondeau): This page provides exercises and help to students learning Rondaeu by Buononcini for Solo and Ensemble. - [Home](https://www.celloprofessor.com/): Cello pedagogy and technique website. Ideas on how to teach and play the cello with instruction for beginners and advanced. Articles and videos! - [CelloVortex!](https://www.celloprofessor.com/cellovortex): CelloVortex! | Michigan High School Cello Choir - [Left Hand and Arm](https://www.celloprofessor.com/left-hand-and-arm.html): Index of articles and videos pertaining to left hand cello technique