Cello Beginner to Grade 1

Preparing to play your cello - how to sit

BMS tutor Joseph Davies has some tips to share with you.

Firstly make sure you find a chair with a suitable height for you - make sure it does not have arm rests!

Watch the video for guidance on:

Position of feet
Sitting balance
An upright back
Head position

PRACTICE TIPS 💡

1. A WARM-UP is essential to get your muscles moving and to mentally prepare you for playing.

2. HAVE A GOAL before you start your practice session. It could be as tiny as 1 or 2 bars or something that you feel you would like to accomplish.

3. ALWAYS play slowly and break down your music by identifying problems. It might be helpful to read the notes or clap the rhythms first before playing.

4. RECORD YOURSELF for fun so you can listen back to your performance. You can set future goals once you have listened to your recording.

5. REWARD YOURSELF: play through music you know well at the end of your practice

LEFT HAND POSITIONING

Get ready to bring your hand to the fingerboard to practise left hand fingering. Place your fingers on the D string and click on the tracks below to play along.

TIPS:

Sing the song and tap the beat with your feet.
Play PIZZICATO, pluck the string.
Play with the bow.
Use the backing tracks below to play along.

Cello.pdf

Let's read G:

G is played with 4 fingers on D string.

Let’s read G.m4a

Let's read F sharp :

F sharp is played with 3 fingers on D string. Remember to leave space between your 1st and 2nd fingers.

Let’s read F #.m4a

Let's read E:

E is played with 1 finger on D string.

Let’s read E.m4a

'The Zoom Lesson'

The zoom lesson.pdf

UPS & DOWNS

Ups and downs.pdf

GHOSTBUSTERS WARM UP!

It's time to test your left hand fingering ! This song uses G, F sharp and A open strings. Play the easy warm ups 'Let's read G and F sharp' above before you start play along. Have Fun!