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Cello Practice- Help Checklist
Position Checklist for Cello:
GENERAL POSTURE
o Is the student sitting near the edge of the chair with feet flat on the floor?
o Does the cello chair allow an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 110 degrees at the hip joint, (i.e., is the cello chair proportionate to the student?)
o Is the back straight with weight on the balls of the feet?
o Are the shoulders relaxed and not twisted?
o Is the body balanced so student can rock from side to side with the cello?
o Is the C string peg near the left ear? The scroll should not be resting on the shoulder.
o Can the left hand easily touch the fingerboard, nut, and, if possible, bridge?
o Is the fingerboard and endpin aligned with the student's centerline? Is it vertical asopposed to crooked or tilted to someone facing the cello?
o Can the student cradle the cello with knees and without the aid of arms?
o Does the balance of student's sitting position allow student to stand at any time?
LEFT HAND POSITION
o Is there a direct line running straight from the left elbow through the base knuckle of the fourth finger to the fingerboard through the finger pad?
o Does the elbow height allow quick sliding up and down the fingerboard?
o Is the thumb relaxed and opposite second finger pad?
o Does the hand and fingerboard form a tunnel? (a “C” shape?)
o Are the fingers curved, and not collapsed?
o Are the base knuckles above the fingerboard?
o Is the first finger tilted back slightly toward the fingerboard nut?
o Does the finger articulation function from the base joint?
RIGHT HAND POSITION
o Are there natural spaces between the fingers?
o Is the bow moving on the string parallel to the bridge?
o Is the contact point consistently about halfway between the fingerboard and bridge?
o Is the index finger making contact with the bow stick slightly on its side and about halfway between the first and second knuckles?
o Do the base knuckles form a line that runs parallel to the stick?
o Is there a different arm level for each string?
o Is the thumb free from caving inward?
This checklist is from the UT Austin String Project.
Have more questions? Please contact Ms. Alissa at: ahamilton@tmesnm.com
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