Please share tips!

bass · 01-05-2004, 02:37 AM

Eya...I don't have a website of my own, so I can't put pictures on my posts...I do have this little jpeg file which illustrates the way the positions work on violin and cello (the viola is just a cello tuned an octave higher)...if you want it, please email me at immortal@ghostmail.net

I'll send it to you, then please be so kind as to post for the others. Thanks

bass · 01-08-2004, 02:46 AM

Hmm...seems like nobody wants the jpeg on positions...

Anyway...I finally got my hands on a cello! The wait of more than two years is finally over! Ahh...the cello...what a magnificent instrument!

OK...so I've got the theory part down. It still works the same way as I said (its a gigantic viola), but now I see the real difficulty: its size.

The size makes for a MUCH LONGER scale length, and that has got freaky effects on your hands, man. For example, from the nut to the first non-accidental note, you've got a space of about two-and-a-half inches. You've got another stretch of the same size to go a whole step higher...

The fact of the matter is this: Unless you've got big hands, the biggest interval you can cover in one position on one string is two-and-a-half steps.

That's the difference

But its a magnificent instrument...sigh...

mandowarrior · 03-16-2004, 11:02 AM

A few things I've learned about restringing:

True, don't take off all of the strings at once, unless you want to polish it well and you know how to reposition your bridge.

Restring a day or two before performances or recording, not the day of, just to make sure you have time to break the strings in.

When restringing, if you take a pencil and put a dab of graphite on both the nut and brisge slots, this helps to lubricate those contact points some, and helps preserve the life of your strings.

justforchrist · 06-10-2004, 08:52 PM

ooo this is cool! ok well for string bass: don't pluck your strings too hard, they can pop off, and this is from experience lol. plus, the strings cost alot more then from a violin or viola.

bloojax · 05-20-2005, 12:42 PM

Lessee...helpful hints. I found this today, and I'm finding it incredibly helpful, so here goes:

http://www.chordfind.com/4-string/

It's essentially a site that allows you to plug in the chord you want and it tells you the finger positions. works for bass, violin, mandolin, banjo - even bouzouki! For those of us that didn't major in music theory in college, things like this are great to have handy!

Pax!

~FreT~ · 07-19-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born2Worship

Hey, since this is the "Please share tips!" thread, does anyone have any advice on playing the cello? I got one for Christmas, and I don't read music... so 1st position, 2nd position, and 3rd position mean nothing to me on the violin or cello... only on piano... in other words... does anyone have any advice for the cello that I'm likely to UNDERSTAND?! lol. Thanks in advanced!

cello? yay. me played it for 5 years.
1. i think u need a teacher. otherwise how would you learn it
2. listen to cello recordings...lots...MUSTS: Dvorak Concerto in B minor, Saint Saen Concerto in A minor, Elgar Concerto in E minor, Bach Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello (all of them), famous sonatas with piano.
3. it's all the upper body, so sit tall
4. pls hold your bow right. sometimes the right way is the best and easiest way even if it looks wierd.
5. sit in a comfortable chair that's the correct height.

~FreT~ · 07-19-2005, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass

Hmm...seems like nobody wants the jpeg on positions...

Anyway...I finally got my hands on a cello! The wait of more than two years is finally over! Ahh...the cello...what a magnificent instrument!

OK...so I've got the theory part down. It still works the same way as I said (its a gigantic viola), but now I see the real difficulty: its size.

The size makes for a MUCH LONGER scale length, and that has got freaky effects on your hands, man. For example, from the nut to the first non-accidental note, you've got a space of about two-and-a-half inches. You've got another stretch of the same size to go a whole step higher...

The fact of the matter is this: Unless you've got big hands, the biggest interval you can cover in one position on one string is two-and-a-half steps.

That's the difference

But its a magnificent instrument...sigh...

cello is the most awesome instrument ever! and yeah, the most you can do is do octaves by stretching the furthest using 2 strings, like 1st finger E on D string and 4th finger E on A string. play it with luv.

~FreT~ · 02-28-2006, 04:18 PM

I'm surprised no one has given any more tips after my extremely old and n00biful post.
*Shudders*
*Has edited a n00biful post*

Anyone else need help with cello??

dandelioneater · 04-06-2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~FreT~

I'm surprised no one has given any more tips after my extremely old and n00biful post.
*Shudders*
*Has edited a n00biful post*

Anyone else need help with cello??

You play cello? Very nice!
I play fiddle and banjo. I am really interested in cello, but have very little Idea what to look for in an instrument. Also, what is the general price range for a cello? (Not a student cello)

Thanks,I hope this is no bother to you. Riah

~FreT~ · 04-08-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandelioneater

You play cello? Very nice!
I play fiddle and banjo. I am really interested in cello, but have very little Idea what to look for in an instrument. Also, what is the general price range for a cello? (Not a student cello)

Thanks,I hope this is no bother to you. Riah

I got mine (full size) for $2000 US or so and it was new and German. Chinese cellos would generally cost less I think. Italian cellos and older cellos generally cost more.
Um.. look for good tone quality, get one with a French bridge (which is fatter bridge compared to a Belgian bridge), Larcen and Jagar strings are good, ask the dealer how thick the front of the cello is (can't be too thin).
I forgot how much bows generally cost. I can look it up though.
Please ask more questions.

**Sean.thomson** · 08-01-2007, 12:30 PM

Sitar:
When you first get it, buy about 3 sets of strings. YOU WILL break at lest 3 in tuning it (that's just a guess, I broke about 5)....

Also, with tuning, Set aside a couple of hours to just tune it....

And don't worry about the sympathetic strings too much when your first tuning it. Just worry about the main strings....