Cello 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.
Cello Talk 99: A School of Cello Playing
It seems to me that what I’ve posted in this series makes up a School of Cello Playing. Here, I argue my case.
Cello Talk 98: Artistic Use of Vibrato
Vibrato: What is it? What does it mean? What is it for? In this Talk I put forth my own theories. And once you’ve mastered all the different vibrato types and variations I’ve illustrated in these Talks, how do you apply them? Here, I give some examples with playing demonstrations.
Cello Talk 97: Atmosphere
Musical atmosphere is as important as the music itself. Every piece of music creates its own feeling in the room, and it’s our responsibility as performers to ensure that music’s magic reaches our audiences as powerfully as possible.
Cello Talk 96: Knowledge
Musical knowledge certainly encompasses instrumental technique and the music itself, but knowledge of history, cultures, styles, composers’ lives and related subjects is just as important. In some cases, it is even more so!
Cello Talk 95: Adapt!
In an earlier Cello Talk, I spoke of the importance of breaking your routines, so as not to become dependent upon them. In this Talk, I tell a story from a Rostropovich class many years ago that made a lasting impression on me, and I also make recommendations of ways to practice that will help prepare you for the unexpected.
Cello Talk 94: Cello Physical
If you’ve never taken your cello apart and put it back together, you can learn how to here. And when the bridge and tailpiece are off, you can look through the hole in the bottom to see if the post is straight.
Talk 93: Fingerings
Fingerings are a big subject that can’t be adequately covered in one Cello Talk, but here are a few of my own ground rules (with a few examples).
Cello Talk 92: Bow Changes
Bad bow changes interfere with the music. Here is what to watch out for and how to change bow direction seamlessly.
Cello Talk 91: Conquering the Fingerboard
“Octave rubs” is an exercise that I invented - as far as I know. It is helpful in gaining a sense of the geometry of the fingerboard, and for teaching the left hand to find the correct finger spacing for any location.
