Cello Teacher's Friend

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Craig Hultgren in Set-up/Form (Left Hand) - Left Hand/Arm

Let me first say that I am anything but traditional in my work with the cello as can be evidenced by my contemporary string technique learning objects located on the Luna Nova website at . However, in the basic approach of the left-hand fingers to the fingerboard of the cello, I do believe all the digits should be curved and rounded in each joint. There are many examples of modern players who play with "flat" or "broken-under" joints, but the traditional dictum of standing each finger so that the last flange drops directly down to the fingerboard provides more consistency to intonation and flexible strength to each finger's athletic presence. This last benefit will help enable elasticity of the digit when it comes time to develop vibrato. If a player or teacher wishes to correct the broken contour of concave fingers, allow the left thumb to come in deeper across the back of the neck toward the player's neck. This will force the fingers to stand up right.