If you're traveling or live in a region with changing weather conditions particularly humidity changes, 2 reliable digital hygrometers (I use one outside case and one inside case) and a set of strettos, dampits or boveda humidity packs is essential to prevent fractures especially below 30% humidity. Ideally 40-70% humidity should be maintained. I always keep the cello in the case when I'm not playing as it's a safe, controlled environment. On the topic of keeping a cloth to wipe dust/rosin off the cello and strings, I keep a dedicated cloth to clean off rosin from fingerboard and strings and a separate cloth for wiping the cello varnish. You don't want to use a cloth with rosin dust to wipe the cello varnish.
Doesn't anyone pay attention to how this piece is actually written? The lower notes are eighths, not sixteenths. It's supposed to be a study in partial double stops.
Bravo Richard! I appreciated all your videos and I've found them very useful to reconnect myself to the Capriccios after 20 years of not practicing them at all!! please let me know if you came again in Italy, it would be a pleasure to meet you. Ciao!
I've been using your exercises for the last couple of months. Today I surprised myself! I improved more in 2 months than I have the last 10 years since I studied cello at the university and I'm not doing all of them. Appreciate your help very much! Unfortunately, there aren't any good cello teachers around here.
When I play the first exercise it sounds squeeky & squawky. I have to lift my index finger off the Bb to play it. Also, the bottom notes, changing strings from III to II. They sound squeeky and squawky at the frog. Not used to playing so many notes at the frog. I just have to play the exercise a lot slower than you do to get a quality sound. I'm playing with very slight, relaxed motion in my wrist. No problem on the other exercises. The first one is the one that gives me the most headaches.
What ipad model or type do you use or recommend? I like to copy and enlarge my sheet music (especially when learning a new piece) so I can see an editor's printed tiny fingerings. I also like to put my music stand further away (more one side) rather than directly in front of me so enlarging the music helps me see those tiny printed 😮2s and 3s fingerings or when the lighting is not so great Also how do you change pages in a performance setting when using an ipad?
Thank you so much! I loved it! I'm definitely going to incorporate these into my practice. I've been playing cello for 35 years. I took 4 years at the university (in Spanish) and played in the symphony after I retired. The university was taken over and they did away with orchestra programs & lessons for the public. There are no outstanding cello teachers around for 100+ miles. I'm getting up in age and have great difficulty (lack of health & energy) to practice both cello & advanced piano every day. I appreciate this very much!! Please give us more!!
Thank you Richard! This list made me feel good, as I have all of the same essentials scepter for the gauge! I also use a simple scrubby that you would have in the kitchen. A few swipes over the string and it really helps to clean the strings!
Thank you for sharing your technique it was very intriguing. It reminded me of Andre Navarra's black & white videos in French. Would it be too much to hope that you remake similar kind of video in English and easier version for the beginners if you can find time. Thanks Much!
