How To Make a Better Cello Sound | How To Music | Sarah Joy
Вставка
- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- This video explains some techniques and tips on how to play the cello with better sound and tone quality. If you have any questions, comments, or just want to say hi, leave a comment or send a message. Thank you all so much for your continued support.
To watch my music lessons with bonus material on Curious.com:
curious.com/sa...
To have a Skype lesson with me, email: sarahjoyrecordings@gmail.com
LINKS BELOW:
SUBSCRIBE: www.youtube.com...
Listen to my original album:
itun.es/us/f8G_4
-------------------------------------
Follow me on:
FACEBOOK- / sarahjoyartist
TWITTER- / sarahjoymusic
INSTAGRAM- / sarahjoymusic
SOUNDCLOUD- / sarahjoyrecordings
TUMBLR- / sarahjoymusic
-------------------------------- - Навчання та стиль
I've been playing the cello for four years and I still screech tbh
Erin L same😂
Me tooooo😅😅😅
same
this makes me feel better about myself
I’ve been playing for 7 and I always do it on my A string :/
I found that simply switching to a professional rosin instead of a student rosin, that mostly got rid of my screeches
Oh! That's a great bit of advice that I didn't even think to include!
I've found Jade rosin to be silky, yet it has plenty of bite. It's also hypoallergenic. For reference, I had used Liebenzeller rosin until they discontinued the blend I prefer.
Thanks for your videos, Sarah!
I've just start to learn the cello at 69. I find your videos very helpful. Keep up the good work.
Awesome!! And great, I'm so glad they can be helpful!
rayc146 nice
Nice
69 😎
Nice
I play cello and I have to play a solo song tomorrow in class, this helped with my confidence and I thank you :)
I kept having issues switching from my D string to my A string when playing a certain song, and I could not seem to get a good transition between the two. Turns out when I switched strings I was not applying enough pressure at the end of the bow, once I figured this out it improved quite a bit. Now just to stay loose and not tense up.
That's a great tip!!
My cello sounds dead
@@sarahjoyrecordings my cello just sounds quiet and like something is broken but when I play on my school cello it's fine
@@d.1788 Check your sound post, it might have moved if something whacked your cello case (e.g. the floor).
Man I have the exact same problem, still working on it
I'm playing cello about 7 years now and you're video is really good
So happy I found your channel! I bought my first cello last night and will start lessons in January! Thanks for inspiring me!
That is so exciting Kayla!! I am happy that I could inspire you in some way! If you ever have any questions at all as you are learning, just comment and I will get back back with you :)
How are you today?
Finding your channel really motivated me to play the cello again, which by far has been the best decision I've ever made! Thank you!
This video helped me. It was leaning to feeling the notes through the bow. Thanks
I played and studied cello for many years in my teens, have come back to cello for several years. This is the first time I have seen/heard the definition of bow placement - closer to fingerboard, or closer to bridge - as it relates to piano and forte!!!! Thank you.
So many helpful tips. Still great after time.
Thank you so much for your dedication and all the effort you put in Sarah - we really appreciate it because we know you have your own students, but at the same time you take out of your free time to make videos to entertain and teach people music around the world twice a week! You've been another inspiration for me to start playing the cello - my first lesson is tomorrow and it's a dream come true. A huge thank you from England :)
I hope your lesson went well today! And thank you for taking the time to send such an encouraging and kind comment. It's always so nice to know that my videos are somehow helping other musicians.
Sarah Joy oh it was amazing :D my teacher is really nice and he says I'm a quick learner so I guess that'll help 😂
ShonaK I know! I've been playing for 35 years and always find something helpful in her videos. Especially the "tension" part
@@shonakate I started learning at 46. I played violin at school, but I always had a yearning for the cello. Hope you are still going strong!
I am two months in with cello lessons and this video was really helpful. Thanks so much!
Great tips. I am an adult, new to cello, with 2 other adults in my class group, and we screech a lot, so I will pass along these tips. I am with you on the screeching. It drives me insane hearing it and it is the main thing I want to avoid. It's hard to stay motivated when you get screeches, so I will keep tugging along until i can fix it. Thanks for the tips.
Hi Sarah. I got my cello on Wednesday and I am happy. I am doing a rent to own program. With your tutorials and practice I will sound better. 🎻
Thanks for the video, Sarah. I just rented a cello yesterday, and I'm excited to start learning. As an adult, I expect it will be a challenge to learn, but I intend to put the time and effort into it. Patience is another story! I've already checked out many of the instructional cello videos out there, and your video is one of my favourites. You clearly describe the problems that can occur when starting out, and I like your laid back attitude. Thanks!!
I am glad that my videos are clear, helpful and enjoyable for you :) It is never too late to learn and I am very excited for you! If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask anytime!
I just started to learn the cello yesterday.Never played an instrument in my life before. I'm 42 years old. This is challenging but worthwhile.I couldn't afford to pay more than 190€ for my new cello set though😔. But i will do my best to train as much as possible to get a wonderful sound out of this cello as a hobby. Thanks for your videos they are a great help for me🤗i learn by youtube because any other way is to expensive 😔greetings from Germany
I’ve played violin for 5 years and just got a cello, I learned the basics pretty quick but my tone sucks! Thanks for the tips, super helpful!
i bowed for the first time in church t day.. yup a couple of screechs...thankyou ive learnt alot
3:41 STORY OF MY LIFE XD
Hahaha Yes!! It's an annoying problem to have for sure.
Really good this video. I'm a begginer and at the moment working on a peace that I need to play on G and C strings and I've been trying to get a better song. Thank you for sharing.
I started playing cello not to long ago and I found your channel and it's very helpful.
You help me so much. thank you so much
I'm a beginner to this and I just know this channel is going to be good for my future in cello and beyond ! thank you Sara Jay ! -Tony
Hi Anthony, I'm so glad that my tutorials can help you out. Let me know if you ever have any specific questions. :)
A variant on "not putting enough "pressure" on a string mistake that I have caught myself doing is while putting my finger down on the string I want to play, I also touch the adjacent string. Which in itself would not be a problem, were it not that I also accidentally touch that same adjacent string with the bow :-o ... But thanks to this video, I was able to see, feel and hear why it went wrong :-)
Jacques Kinnaer I
Thank you, that was helpful
Thanks for summing up all kinds of screeches. You truly motivate my training beyond the instructions i receive. I love the cello, and you inspire me to be patient and move forward one practice session at a time :) This is the first time I ever touch a string instrument ... And gosh, it's fun!
Also for you beginners it's called a finger board much different then a FRETboard as with frets it's a slot like look a finger board is muscle memory so you could very easily play a wrong note faster on a (orchestra) instrument then a (rock) instrument I said them Like that because a guitar and cello are BOTH stringed instruments you should be able to tell the difference in then though. I've never pick up on a cello but I want learn viola the cousin to the violin
so happy I found your channel.. you explain things so perfectly..it's been fun thanks
I'm in love with your lessons, your a helping me to compliment my cello lessons... Specifically those points in video are things that i need to work hard... thanks for giving us some base topics to study...
I've been playing for years so I have really strong fingers.. want to do some finger strength exercises ;)
thank you for taking the time to make these videos.
Nice video! You mention bow speed, but it's also important to recognize that speed correlates to length. I know when I was first learning violin, I didn't want to use the full bow and it gave me the same problems you discussed here. As you progress and fine tune your pressure, speed, and position, you can reduce the amount of bow used, but when you're first starting off you should really work that arm.
Thank you so much for the great advice because my daughter plays the cello
+Gretchen Burwell Hi Gretchen! Wonderful! I'm glad it can help.
This is great advice. Thank you for sharing.
love this video....saludos from Buenos Aires....
Thank you, and "hello" from Texas!
I had rented a cello for a little music program (I still play cello, but now have a nice old one) that was LITERALLY the worst cello. A baby could have made a better bridge, I had to buy a new set of strings right of the bat, and not to mention I had to buy a set of new strings the second time I bought it. But, this cello had every problem imaginable. It had freaking three wolf tones, and in the year I had it, it cracked six times, and the top came off three. And, no matter what string, or what player, always, freaking, screeched. Worst cello ever, and I'm surprised that I didn't quit, but I am happy that I didn't.
Thank you for this video! I've been getting frustrated with my sound, so I'm excited to try these suggestions :)
+Oscar Monaghan Awesome!! Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions along the way :)
Pandora
I’m just rlly confused as to why my cello notes sound incorrect or like my cello is out of tune when it’s not... especially the more fingers I have on one string, the more the note sounds wierd...
Pandora hi! I’m a fellow cellist, it is most likely an intonation problem. Unlike a guitar the cello has no frets, sometimes a millimeter away from the correct note sounds completely out of tune. Also, your tone will improve your intonation and make the note sound more defined⭐️
welcome to having bad intonation. we are all so sad to be here 😔😔
Sarah, I am a busy stay at home mama that totally fell in love with cello music two years ago the first time I heard The Piano Guys. So this is a two fold question: 1) how much practicing time would you advise someone devote per day (with non-professional aspirations)? 2) You said you began cello at 5 years old. Did you pick out the instrument or did your parents? My oldest tot (4.5yrs old) is very musical and I think she should play an instrument but I am unsure what instrument to start her on and at what age.
Piano is a great basic instrument for ANY musical career - even amateur career. They can listen to Peter and the Wolf, hopefully it's on you tube - every instrument speaks of a particular animal in the story. Play only GOOD music in your home... You will put as much time in on your cello as you have time and desire for.
Thank you so much! This has been so helpful.
so basically, i just have to relax. nice
Yeah pretty much lol
Brava and thank you!
It's about as good as for the violin! :)
This video helped me so much thank you
When I practice my cat joins in 😂
Thank you for the info.
ohh my God...!
Thank you Sarah for the videos!!!
I love u!
+BHYRHONNT INSTRUMENTALIST And the most enthusiastic comment award goes to you! Thank you very much for all of the encouragement!
This is quite helpful! Thank you.
Brillant!
This was so helpful!! Thank you!
I'm so glad it could help! Thanks for watching!
Thank you!
i been playing my cello and i sounded bad but now that i have watched some of your videos i sound better
That is what I like to hear!!!
Thank you, this video is a godsend.
You've helped me tremendously! You're videos are so much better than most people's. I just got my first Cello about a week ago. I've been playing guitar for 24 years, but having no frets and throwing the bow into the mix is quite the challenge. I plan on practicing for a little while before I jump into lessons, but I was wondering if you provide something online? possibly over FaceTime or Skype? I'm not worried about reading music... just the dynamics and nuances of actually playing the cello. Do you possibly provide such a service?
Oh why thank you! It's wonderful to hear that I was able to help. I do indeed teach lessons over Skype. You can email me at sarahjoyrecordings@gmail.com for more information.
Hey Sarah, I have a question, my teacher says the thing I most struggle with is keeping my fingers spread equal distance apart. do you have any recommendations for solving this issue or is it simply muscle memory?
Thank you so much for your videos, they are very informative and helpful! And I must add, the rooms you shoot them in are so beautifully decorated! :)
I used to play the cello for a couple years ten years ago and I recently got back into it.
Does the tension in your bow (the hair) influence the tone at all?
I'm so glad they can help :) and thank you!
Yes it does actually! I like mine to be tighter for faster, louder, and more aggressive pieces.
I REALLY like your sweater. I wear sweaters ALL the time.
It’s been four years since I started playing the cello and I still feel like a noob whenever these thing happen to me lmao
When I play a note without using my left hand there is a good tone. As soon as I use my left hand to change the note it sounds dull. I've tried changing pressure on the bow and making sure I press enough with my left hand but it still sounds dull - any tips pleae?
Without actually seeing you play, it is difficult for me to give advice beyond what is already in this video. :/
I know this is a very late reply and you probably already fixed the issue, but I found that pressing with the side (that faces upwards when your fingers are on the fingerboard) of my fingertips makes the sound clearer. Hope I helped.
This is an extremely late reply but might be useful from what I've experienced. The information wasn't specified so I'm going to presume a couple of issues:
1. I noticed that when I was playing using all four fingers to compress the string (as you would with a scale) my fourth finger would often not be pressing hard enough but I never noticed it because the pressure from my other three fingers holding down the string always gave the illusion that I was pressing the string enough. Sometimes, that made the sound dull.
2. Something else that might be possible (or unrelated, but still helpful either way) is that when you play up a string, higher (and lets use the 'D' string as a perfect example) you have to bow lower (near the bridge) to produce a cleaner sound, as the compression of the string towards the higher register shortens the length of the string, making it physically lower (and thus harder to bow upon properly) than its adjacent strings. The string is still very long when playing in first position, however, so you wont notice this issue as much, but in higher positions, at least for me, it becomes a problem. This is more of a problem that applies to clean string crossing, but perhaps the shortened string (when not played near the bridge that naturally makes the sound more robust) can be dulled for the lack of it, but I'm speculating.
*A couple of extra tricks to hopefully figure it out: Practice dynamics, see how loud or soft you can make the cello sound just with open strings, so as to better detect whether the issue is from the right or the left hand. By gaining more control of dynamics, you can easily rule out the issue of lacking bow pressure. Another is to play the string up and down, starting from the lowest to the highest note the string can produce, with your strongest finger (naturally, the first or second) and see how clear and clean you can keep the tone, and in that way, you may be able to figure if the sound is being affected by finger pressure.
New quarantined cello player over here. Maybe you guys can help me. Which strings should I use? I know there are some in different price ranges. I would be willing to pay more if they were that much better, but I honestly don’t know.
I think Kaplan strings are a good compromise in terms of price and quality. For really nice strings, I’d recommend Larson solos for A and D and Bel Canto for G and C.
After watching this video I realized that I am guilty of almost all the things you mentioned that result in the squeaks and squawks while playing. They are super annoying because when I play, I often get that really "metallicy" sound when bowing, and then I listen to your videos and your cello sounds so rich and beautiful. Think I need to review the basics on bowing.
I don't have the screeches, but I have this weird harmonic ringing that happens unpredictably. It happens both on open strings or on fingered notes, and it results in the note becoming an octave higher. For example the open C string will go from C2 to a ringing C3. It sounds like guitar feedback a bit. Can't figure out how to prevent it...
Sounds like your cello has what is called Wolves. It can be fixed by taking it to a music shop and having them install a Wolf preventer...thing. :)
A wolf silencer is what you need!
@@baker1013 I don't think that what he's referring to. I have that issue too and it's different from a wolf. I think its due to not applying enough pressure with the bow.
Same
I’ve just passed level 10 cello but my sound I produce with my cello is horrible yet when my teacher uses cello he is able to create a very good sound
I'm getting ready to rent a cello this week and start teaching myself (as I've done with other instruments). Other than you and maybe a local teacher, what books would you recommend for starter pieces of music and exercises?
I would recommend Suzuki, Essential Elements, and Klengel.
"breathe with your bow" I like that. Another UA-camr said your bow should be an extension of your arm.
Yes! That’s another great way to think about it!
This video just saved me a hundred dollars+ worth of buying new strings when the problem is actually my bow angle. Thanks!
Haha that is very good news.
I'm not even a beginner, but I never really took lessons, I'm really mostly self taught... and horrible, fml right now. Yeah, I desperately need this video... 😥😑
Lessons definitely help, but I'm glad this video could help in the meantime. :)
Better high end strings help a lot
i kind of want to learn cello, i have already been playing piano for 2 1/2 years and flute for 6 months, so i have some music exprience and i learn pretty quickly. like if you think i should start, or comment what you would do
"kind of" might not help you. If you really want to, rent one, try one out, see if it grabs you and then you will know if you REALLY want to play cello. I play my flue with and imrovisation group, and my first love is cello - it is hard to be devoted to two instruments timewise and passion wise.
Hi teacher Sarah! i'm sooo excited to have my own cello. But, i'm still saving up to buy one cause it's kind of expensive.
I don't know what kind of cello I should buy here in the philipppines. Hope you could help me. Btw, I play the violin! :) love your videos mwa
I wish I could help!! Unfortunately, I really don't know of any music stores in your location. You might check sharmusic.com. I'm fairly certain they ship internationally.
I notice sometimes you respond to comments, Long ago, I heard (while in the bathtub with candles) a piece of Music I really loved, when it ended, the dj said it was Lullaby by Khachaturian. I wrote the name in Soap on the bathtub will so I wouldn't forget, and decided I would one day get a Crllo, and learn that piece! I went to school for Violin since, for a couple years, (only because I could afford a Violin...) but finally have purchased a Cello, i'm hoping I can transfer all I learned about strings on Violin, to Cello, and FINALLY PLAY Lullabye.. My CELLO gets here Monday from Amazon. Do you know the piece? and or where I might find a copy, Thanks for the great videos!
Sheetmusicplus - hopefully.
I don't even have a cello, but I'm here anyway :)
I have played the piano for many years and have the finger musculature from that. Will that help me if I play the cello?
+Eirik Andreas Albretsen Absolutely!!
When I play with my bow my elbow is very tense and up high. How can I fix that?
Hey Sara , I know this video is two years old but I have a problem...when I play double strings the sound is awful I can't find balance between the strings.....what's my possible wrong?
Make more videos!!!
I’ve got another tutorial coming out later today. 🤗
@@sarahjoyrecordings that's great!! Love you and your videos.. youve been very helpful . Thank you 😀
Hi Sarah, I am a total beginner and learning so much from your videos, my text book is asking me to make an A-string tunnel, what is that?
I have no idea. Haha Truly. I've never heard of that before.
it probably means to arch your fingers OVER the A string. Many beginners let their fingers collapse and come across the strings which mutes them and results in poor tone on the string being played
Aha! Thanks so much.
Hey so Sarah I am a 13 year old cello player I started last year I love playing cello but I still have trouble counting my notes. Any help?
Would a "counting rhythms tutorial" be of any help? I can make that here in a few weeks. :)
That would be great! My teacher and I have been working on my counting but I still have trouble thank you!!!
Hi Sarah, Just got my cello and I’m having trouble tuning it and getting a sound at all.
If you are unable to figure it out, you can always take it to a string shop and have them tune it up for you and perhaps show you how to do it yourself.
🌹🌹🌹
My cello's C string rattles when I put too much pressure on the C string with the bow. It is irritating but I think the problem is that the string is too close to the finger board.
That could very well be. It's tough to tell without looking at it.
Erick Lora once you upgrade in cello quality, there are cellos with slanted fingerboards at the c string that eliminate that rattle
Jeremy Driver Oh ok thanks!
I'm having problems at the moment with doing my three octave scales and it sounding horrible once I get to the higher notes (scratchy and screechy) and I can't seem to pinpoint what it is I'm doing wrong. Any advice?
Practice the top octave slowly and don't leave a note until it is beautiful and pure. Gradually begin to raise your tempo. As soon as it starts sounding bad again, lower the tempo.
I'm just a beginner (a level lower than a beginner actually) and I feel like I do not make an enough loud sound out of my cello. I just let the bow rested on the strings and press it lightly. Am I not pressing it enough or is it because of the quality of my cello (~$259 because I don't want an expensive one esp that I'm just beginning)? Or are there other possible reasons? Thanks a lot. I really like you and your videos ☺️
Wilna Calma when you go on the deeper strings (G and C) you have to press harder
There are plenty of things that can contribute to that. It would be difficult to give you a specific answer without actually seeing you play. I wish I could be of more help. :/
Wilna Calma Why don't you just press harder??
Hey, my bow seems to be losing it's hairs lately. Am I pushing too hard on the strings?
I think you might just need a bow re-hair?
i played the bass, the piano and the guitar before starting cello will that help
Any musical background will certainly help! Your ear is probably well-developed which will make learning the cello much easier.
Sarah Joy Is it normal to feel like when you very first pick up a cello and you've NEVER played to feel as you might play more then one string because if I'm correct you normally play one string with the bow
She is very professional, but she should be playing lower closer to the bridge to get a big nice sound!
Video for advanced players?
At some point :)
Sarah Joy Thanks
Hi may I know how's the Skype lesson like?
I can send you all of the information. Just email me at sarahjoyrecordings@gmail.com.
i play bass guitar, what am i doing here
linda cellist
Thank you!
I'm only 10 and I play the cello
When Dexter´s sister gets bored of catching bad guys...
Haha yeah I get that a lot
Hello
Hi
I’ve tried EVERYTHING and I’m so frustrated... I love the cello but NOTHING WILL WORK? Is it my strings? Is my cello broken? Is my bow not rosined enough? I don’t know... help me please I just want to EXPLODE!! I’m the type of kid that iis (well tries) perfect!!!! It is IMPOSSIBLE for me to NOT TRY... and this I can’t give up on... I can’t do it... it’s just so stressful because everything else (major school testing and home stuff) just makes it worse!! Idk how... like it’s been 3 years...... and my dad wants me to stay with piano and he knows I love cello and I like the cello.. but my Family wants me to play piano.. not me... my family.. so I can’t get a private teacher either... 🤧😡😫
Piano training is so basic to any kind of musical career - be glad for it and try to not fight against it or your family. Just keep at it - thank God for youtube, right? Be patient - many people don't start cello until they are forty or older and they do well. You should be just fine. Don't give up and always be thankful for what you DO have.
I can't even get a sound on a cello 😅
she adressed the left hand and right hand coordination but she didnt say how to fix it and thats exactly what i wanted to know :/
+lucy vasquez Practice with a metronome, slowly. There are many specific exercises that help with this sort of thing that would have made this video too long if included. I'll try to make a video for that at some point. :)
Sarah Joy and if you do i will be v grateful and watch it quickly :)
thanks ill practice slowly some more :)
sok a duma
When I play a note without using my left hand there is a good tone. As soon as I use my left hand to change the note it sounds dull. I've tried changing pressure on the bow and making sure I press enough with my left hand but it still sounds dull - any tips pleae?