David, I am so happy to have found your Cello lesson videos. . I am 54 (55 in a few more days!), and have been playing drums for 45 yrs, mandolin 7 yrs (major Chris Thile fan) and now, the cello. I see that you've posted the videos back in 2009 so I'm hoping you are still available to answer questions I may have along the way. Instead of driving myself crazy watching the many 100s of videos, methods, opinions, etc., that I would choose one to stick with. I guess the best compliment I can give is that I have enjoyed your teaching style, methods and most of all your awesome playing very much and will learn from you. I look forward to hearing back from you! Louie N.
My alternative way is to start by holding the bow vertically on the knee, which means you don't have to work against gravity. Then get the hold (second finger opposite thumb) WITHOUT letting the wrist touch the knee thus getting a good angle of fingers to stick (no stabbing is my mantra). Then you have a perfect hold and can turn the wrist and arm progressively to hold the weight of the stick as you turn it into playing position. This way you have plenty of time to wriggle your fingers into a comfortable position without a tight grip. I didn't go for the 'dropping the curved hand onto the bow technique - though you end up with the same quite naturally. I don't know anyone who teaches this, but you often see it in orchestra while waiting to play. Does this make sense to you?
I have this really bad habit of having the third finger placed on the ferel(sp) or silver part of the bow. It could be how the bow was made or how I was taught. I have a Sobol bow (Russian bow). Is this normal? Thanks again for the video.
