Sara, turning 71 this month and just watched your video which inspired me to give the family cello an opportunity to frustrate, mock and defeat my best intentions. But I do believe your lessons will give me a fighting chance. Thank you. Kurt
Hi Sarah, I've finally picked up my very first cello - I've played guitar and bass for sixteen years, but I've always wanted to play - and this channel has just been full of really wonderful advice. Just wanted to say thanks, and that I really appreciate the work you've put in to make our lives as beginners that little easier. ^_^
Oh wow why didnt I see this video earlier, sat and was really frustrated with the fact that I alwasy press wrong, and here you have a great video on it! thanks! No my practicing will be a lot easier! :)
Could you like put the measurements between each tape? Because I am still a beginner and I still do not know the sounds of the different notes. Thank you!
Well youre probably better at cello now but for people with the same question, it very much depends on the size of the cello and your fingers. Instead of looking for a measurement, what I did was play a B on the A string with B note playing to get it perfectly in tune. Then put the tape where your finger is. You can find the note by just searching B note on youtube and playing that. Then repeat for the other tapes.
Thank you so much for the video! I have been playing cello for the past 2 months. Although I am a beginner at this instrument I have played Viola for 4 years and Bass for 2 years, so I have some experience. My current tapes are falling off (they were pretty bad right out of the box) and I would like to replace them. A lot of the cello tapes I find on Amazon are very thin (5/32 in) and I would like something thicker. My music teacher recommended that I use thicker tapes to allow my ears to take over when finding the pitch rather than relying on my eyes. Are there any brands of tape (not necessarily made for cello) that you recommend? I don't want to accidentally use a harsh tape that hurts my instrument's fingerboard when removed.
Hi Sarah! Please, can you demonstrate how to play the Schindler list with the cello you have set up with the white tapes on the fingerboard? Please. Thank you.
Oh joy. My A string to pluck it I can tune it, sounds great. To run my bow across it, not so much lol so I am struggling placing these bits of tape. And the tape! Its so sticky it sticks halfway across the fingerboard its crazy. Sigh.
Love love your cello lessons I just got one on layaway at Southwest strings and won't be out until December or January 2019 I play the violin for 10 years Viola for 1 year and I noticed that the g d a n a is different on the cello it's CG DNA well that's one thing I did notice I do like your license on how to clean it do cycle hall for the strings and only difference between the violin to Viola and a cello that I'm finding is that when it's horizontal and one's vertical and also you lean it into your left shoulder I do have lots of questions for you so it's about the humidifier I have humidifiers in my violin cases for my violins what is the humidity supposed to be inside the violin case Viola case for Charlie case 60 60 degrees or 0 degrees or 20 example of percent of whatever also I want to comment that you're very good teacher I like you and I would like beginner lessons and my name is Robert h a l l e or Maple and Spruce late away cello s European but it is real wood spell $1,200 thank you Robert I'm from Southern New Jersey I play the violin and cello you can Google me me and look for Robert Haller plays violin Ocean City New Jersey thank you very much but you're a good teacher I want to take more lessons from your online courses I want to see where your position your fingers and so forth like that one step two step whole step course that's first position position position I do notice that you do Number Two Fingers 1 2 3 & 4 on a violin we kind of don't do that it's kind of different but we haven't half steps and whole steps we have first position position also on trolling is it better to go up and down on trolling or should you when you're chilling control your finger back and forth that's generally what I see people doing and I prefer going up and down easier my left hand thank you very much September 16th 2018 Robert of Southern New Jersey violinist
I am struggling to find the right tape. Is it a paper based or vinyl tape ? Does it tear or stretch when pulled ? Has it got a texture or is it smooth ? It is not gaffer tape but thinner. Decorators tape in the UK is called masking tape and is an off white creamy colour with a fine texture. It is low tack and used for masking off areas for painting. It seems to work. I will try to find it in white. Thanks for the video and instructions.
Hi Sarah, can you make a video of how to put on fourth position tape? Since I just learned how to play on the fourth position, thanks a lot for that!!!
I'm starting to considering getting a cello just because I am so used to the electric guitar I want to see what a fretless instrument would do to me. Though I like the challenge, it's frightening me at the same time and it's hard to put down the money for one because of it...
I understand your hesitation, but just know that with enough patience, work, and time, you can definitely do it. I have quite a few students who started as guitarists.
I have decided to buy a digital piano first so I get to refresh my skills (used to study the piano) and train my tonality a bit, a cello might make next year's list. The more instruments, the merrier.
+Jessica Khaw if you use a tuner, that will really help. For example, a half a step would be from G to G#, or from B down to Bb. A tuner will let you know what note you're playing and you will be able to figure it out from there. A whole step would be from G to A etc.. I don't like giving measurements, because they change depending on the size of your cello as well as on what position you're in. I hope this helps!
I was appalled to find this video when I was googling to find some taped cello music, or ones with CD for a query in an online cello forum for someone who had no one close to play along with. I taught hundreds of cellists over almost 60 years, of all ages and standards, and started them all too. Some had good ears, some needed training, but only once did a boy, (who had a mother who played the cello) come in with tapes for his finger positions. I sent him to fetch something, and conspired with the two girls who learned with him, to move all the tapes a little. He returned and began playing, looked puzzled and looked at his finger tapes. He realised they were not where they had been, but as I pointed out, his ears had told him that. Without the effort of looking around at where the tape was, his hand and arm were no longer in a distorted position which anyway made it difficult to play in tune. Lesson learned. I was even more shocked when I found a further video by Sarah Joy for putting on tapes for 4th position. How on earth does she imagine the ear will be trained if she thinks one needs to see even at the stage where one is learning 4th position. BTW I attended the Royal College of Music in London from the age of ten, and taught from aged 13 to 70, so I do know what I am talking about!
What's so wrong with taping for an absolute beginner so they can develop muscle memory? Your ear won't develop if you put your fingers in the wrong spot from the start. And by the way, more and more people are self-taught nowadays, so we don't all have the advantage of a teacher to constantly correct us on our finger positions as we develop our ears. Besides, how do you know that that boy didn't benefit from the tapes when he was developing his ears and muscle memory, and had just grown past them by that point? You sound like you're saying training wheels shouldn't be used when learning to ride a bike, as if people will never grow past the need for them. Same with tapes. The whole point is that you have them at first as a guide, not forever. You're sounding a bit elitist, god forbid someone learn a little differently than YOU teach.
Training wheels on a bicycle?? Are you crazy? Heck, even car drivers and airplane pilots should all get started without driving/flight school, otherwise how still they train their hands to control their vehicles?!
That's a great question, and it really depends on each individual player - how quickly they develop good intonation. I would leave them on for perhaps a year or longer if needed, but I have seen students be successful after only using them for a few months. If, after taking them off, you find yourself playing out of tune, put them back on to re-train your ear
Consider the tape to be similar when you are learning to ride a bicycle. It helps you along for a while, but at one point, you'll be able to let go. You'll feel a bit insecure at first, after having let go of the aid, but you'll do fine and if not, it's just a matter of fixing the aids on again.
It’s true that some people will never develop good intonation, but it could also be that they just need a little help in the beginning. Tapes are training wheels that come off as soon as possible. Sometimes, they are simply visual demonstrations of the concept of half steps and whole steps and can be taken off as soon as that is explained. It’s good to be honest if you think a student has no future with the instrument (you wouldn’t want them to waste resources that could be better spent in another area). However, all hope is not lost for someone who might just need a little help while their ear (hopefully) develops.
as counterintuitive as it sounds, instruments do NOT need to be "in tune" to place the position tapes...frets (which these are) are placed mathematically...the 12th fret is placed at exactly 1/2 the scale length--this being the the length from the nut to the bridge...the remaining "frets" are calculated and measured from the 12th fret, an exercise which is simple and based on the 12th root of 2, as we all know...another way is to simply determine a position 1 step above the open string tone, WHATEVER it may be...it will work for ANY tone...it does NOT have to the tone that the string SHOULD be...then put a tape one step above that and then 1/2 step above that...the string MUST be at the same pitch for the placing of ALL the tapes, but it doesn't NOT have to be at the absolute perfect pitch for that string...
It’s an old argument and I’ve come to the conclusion that the answer changes depending on the student. Some truly need tapes for a while and that’s ok. They’re just training wheels that help you to develop a feel for where the notes are.
Sara, turning 71 this month and just watched your video which inspired me to give the family cello an opportunity to frustrate, mock and defeat my best intentions. But I do believe your lessons will give me a fighting chance. Thank you. Kurt
That's great! You can definitely do it!
I love that you have a family cello. I'm an adult beginner too. Best wishes. 💖
Best of luck!
Pro trick : you can watch series on flixzone. Been using them for watching a lot of movies recently.
@Hayden Dominic Yea, I have been using flixzone for since november myself :D
^_^ these videos are the BEST! I am so glad that someone so talented is willing to help scrub beginners like myself!
Lol. Well, after listening to the video five times (ya. I'm slow. What can I say!) I got it done. And it even sounds right! Yay!
Yay!!! :D
Hi Sarah, I've finally picked up my very first cello - I've played guitar and bass for sixteen years, but I've always wanted to play - and this channel has just been full of really wonderful advice. Just wanted to say thanks, and that I really appreciate the work you've put in to make our lives as beginners that little easier. ^_^
Thank you, Sarah. This helped me put tape on my daughter’s 3/4 cello.
Oh wow why didnt I see this video earlier, sat and was really frustrated with the fact that I alwasy press wrong, and here you have a great video on it! thanks! No my practicing will be a lot easier! :)
Awesome! Glad it could help!
Could you like put the measurements between each tape? Because I am still a beginner and I still do not know the sounds of the different notes. Thank you!
I used my tuner for the steps. Just easier. And helps your ear discern the note! Good luck!
Tip: if someone is a beginner, they may not be able to pick out a whole step by warm you should probably show them using a tuner.
Sara!!! I saw this just at the right time!!
Thank you for making these videos! So helpful!
Thank you for this video I start play cello 3 month ago and this video was so helpful for me thank you so much.
How far away ( in measurement) would the first tape, second tape, third tape and fourth finger be from the nut of the cello?
Well youre probably better at cello now but for people with the same question, it very much depends on the size of the cello and your fingers. Instead of looking for a measurement, what I did was play a B on the A string with B note playing to get it perfectly in tune. Then put the tape where your finger is. You can find the note by just searching B note on youtube and playing that. Then repeat for the other tapes.
So helpful thank you so much
You can get auto detailing tape at Autozone or any automotive store. This is what I had for my violin. Now will get for my cello.
Thank you so much for the video!
I have been playing cello for the past 2 months. Although I am a beginner at this instrument I have played Viola for 4 years and Bass for 2 years, so I have some experience.
My current tapes are falling off (they were pretty bad right out of the box) and I would like to replace them. A lot of the cello tapes I find on Amazon are very thin (5/32 in) and I would like something thicker. My music teacher recommended that I use thicker tapes to allow my ears to take over when finding the pitch rather than relying on my eyes. Are there any brands of tape (not necessarily made for cello) that you recommend? I don't want to accidentally use a harsh tape that hurts my instrument's fingerboard when removed.
Very helpful; thank you very much 🙂
Glad it can help!
Hi Sarah! Please, can you demonstrate how to play the Schindler list with the cello you have set up with the white tapes on the fingerboard? Please. Thank you.
Oh joy. My A string to pluck it I can tune it, sounds great. To run my bow across it, not so much lol so I am struggling placing these bits of tape. And the tape! Its so sticky it sticks halfway across the fingerboard its crazy. Sigh.
Love love your cello lessons I just got one on layaway at Southwest strings and won't be out until December or January 2019 I play the violin for 10 years Viola for 1 year and I noticed that the g d a n a is different on the cello it's CG DNA well that's one thing I did notice I do like your license on how to clean it do cycle hall for the strings and only difference between the violin to Viola and a cello that I'm finding is that when it's horizontal and one's vertical and also you lean it into your left shoulder I do have lots of questions for you so it's about the humidifier I have humidifiers in my violin cases for my violins what is the humidity supposed to be inside the violin case Viola case for Charlie case 60 60 degrees or 0 degrees or 20 example of percent of whatever also I want to comment that you're very good teacher I like you and I would like beginner lessons and my name is Robert h a l l e or Maple and Spruce late away cello s European but it is real wood spell $1,200 thank you Robert I'm from Southern New Jersey I play the violin and cello you can Google me me and look for Robert Haller plays violin Ocean City New Jersey thank you very much but you're a good teacher I want to take more lessons from your online courses I want to see where your position your fingers and so forth like that one step two step whole step course that's first position position position I do notice that you do Number Two Fingers 1 2 3 & 4 on a violin we kind of don't do that it's kind of different but we haven't half steps and whole steps we have first position position also on trolling is it better to go up and down on trolling or should you when you're chilling control your finger back and forth that's generally what I see people doing and I prefer going up and down easier my left hand thank you very much September 16th 2018 Robert of Southern New Jersey violinist
That must be a record sentence without punctuation! I got three lines in and realized I wouldn't understand anything
Would you please do a video on fret markers for second position?
I am struggling to find the right tape. Is it a paper based or vinyl tape ? Does it tear or stretch when pulled ? Has it got a texture or is it smooth ? It is not gaffer tape but thinner. Decorators tape in the UK is called masking tape and is an off white creamy colour with a fine texture. It is low tack and used for masking off areas for painting. It seems to work. I will try to find it in white. Thanks for the video and instructions.
just got my cello out after a few months of not playing, and my tapes fell off. youre a life saver ty
thank you for the instruction
Glad it can help, thanks for watching!
Vry vry helpul ty vry much!
Hi Sarah, can you make a video of how to put on fourth position tape? Since I just learned how to play on the fourth position, thanks a lot for that!!!
+Venice Koo Wrote it down!
I'm starting to considering getting a cello just because I am so used to the electric guitar I want to see what a fretless instrument would do to me. Though I like the challenge, it's frightening me at the same time and it's hard to put down the money for one because of it...
I understand your hesitation, but just know that with enough patience, work, and time, you can definitely do it. I have quite a few students who started as guitarists.
I have decided to buy a digital piano first so I get to refresh my skills (used to study the piano) and train my tonality a bit, a cello might make next year's list. The more instruments, the merrier.
Hi I just start playing cello I want to learn to play it correctly can you make a video on have to bow I mean back forth
Hi! I am actually posting that video tomorrow for you!
Hi! What kind of tape do you use? Is it just the normal tape or is it a special kind of tape for the cello?
+Vera Parco I think it's called repair tape??
i ended up buying a dont fret cello fret board guide and was wondering if its close to what your doing?
Most likely!
Can I use masking tape
What do you mean by "a half step"? Sorry I'm just wondering if there are certain measurements I'm supposed to go by. Thanks😄
+Jessica Khaw if you use a tuner, that will really help. For example, a half a step would be from G to G#, or from B down to Bb. A tuner will let you know what note you're playing and you will be able to figure it out from there. A whole step would be from G to A etc.. I don't like giving measurements, because they change depending on the size of your cello as well as on what position you're in. I hope this helps!
Please reply, I'm a beginner in high school, and it's frustrating without anyone helping me, so I'm teaching myself.
Can you do a video on the same topic but with a violin thanks
Is 2nd position a half step above the pinky from 1st position?
Yep! And also a whole step above. It might be better, however, to think about it in terms of where first finger is anchored.
Sarah Joy Also forgot to add what would we do about the notes in between the positions? Would we slide our fingers as done using a guitar?
Is it OK to use the c string to find first position or is the a string better?
+David Compton Intonation is easier to hear on the A string. The lower of a pitch it is, the harder it becomes to hear accurately.
+David Compton Intonation is easier to hear on the A string. The lower of a pitch it is, the harder it becomes to hear accurately.
Sarah Joy Sounds good. Thanks for the quick response.
I was appalled to find this video when I was googling to find some taped cello music, or ones with CD for a query in an online cello forum for someone who had no one close to play along with.
I taught hundreds of cellists over almost 60 years, of all ages and standards, and started them all too. Some had good ears, some needed training, but only once did a boy, (who had a mother who played the cello) come in with tapes for his finger positions. I sent him to fetch something, and conspired with the two girls who learned with him, to move all the tapes a little.
He returned and began playing, looked puzzled and looked at his finger tapes. He realised they were not where they had been, but as I pointed out, his ears had told him that. Without the effort of looking around at where the tape was, his hand and arm were no longer in a distorted position which anyway made it difficult to play in tune. Lesson learned.
I was even more shocked when I found a further video by Sarah Joy for putting on tapes for 4th position. How on earth does she imagine the ear will be trained if she thinks one needs to see even at the stage where one is learning 4th position.
BTW I attended the Royal College of Music in London from the age of ten, and taught from aged 13 to 70, so I do know what I am talking about!
What's so wrong with taping for an absolute beginner so they can develop muscle memory? Your ear won't develop if you put your fingers in the wrong spot from the start. And by the way, more and more people are self-taught nowadays, so we don't all have the advantage of a teacher to constantly correct us on our finger positions as we develop our ears. Besides, how do you know that that boy didn't benefit from the tapes when he was developing his ears and muscle memory, and had just grown past them by that point? You sound like you're saying training wheels shouldn't be used when learning to ride a bike, as if people will never grow past the need for them. Same with tapes. The whole point is that you have them at first as a guide, not forever.
You're sounding a bit elitist, god forbid someone learn a little differently than YOU teach.
Training wheels on a bicycle?? Are you crazy? Heck, even car drivers and airplane pilots should all get started without driving/flight school, otherwise how still they train their hands to control their vehicles?!
hi sarah i wanted a cello you will deliever it to me please
Is it okay to use a violin bow on a cello?
+Bea Villaruel I actually used a violin bow once in an emergency, but I would recommend getting a cello bow as soon as possible. :)
Is there any danger of damaging the fingerboard with the extensive use of the tape due to its adhesive conponent of the tape? Thanks.
My tape is softer or my figerboard is more rounded, I don't know. But this is so more difficult for me. X-)
How long do you think a beginner should leave the tape on? At what point does it come off?
That's a great question, and it really depends on each individual player - how quickly they develop good intonation. I would leave them on for perhaps a year or longer if needed, but I have seen students be successful after only using them for a few months. If, after taking them off, you find yourself playing out of tune, put them back on to re-train your ear
Consider the tape to be similar when you are learning to ride a bicycle. It helps you along for a while, but at one point, you'll be able to let go. You'll feel a bit insecure at first, after having let go of the aid, but you'll do fine and if not, it's just a matter of fixing the aids on again.
Exactly!
What are the measurements?
eheu!
I
If you need to put tape on your cello change to playing the guitar.
It’s true that some people will never develop good intonation, but it could also be that they just need a little help in the beginning. Tapes are training wheels that come off as soon as possible. Sometimes, they are simply visual demonstrations of the concept of half steps and whole steps and can be taken off as soon as that is explained.
It’s good to be honest if you think a student has no future with the instrument (you wouldn’t want them to waste resources that could be better spent in another area). However, all hope is not lost for someone who might just need a little help while their ear (hopefully) develops.
@@sarahjoyrecordings Hope they don't gum up fingerboards.
Wow your strings are bright... Ouch my ears .
Sorry!! That’s the recording equipment I was using at that time. 😂
For someone who needs tape, you assume too much knowledge about what a step vs half step means.
as counterintuitive as it sounds, instruments do NOT need to be "in tune" to place the position tapes...frets (which these are) are placed mathematically...the 12th fret is placed at exactly 1/2 the scale length--this being the the length from the nut to the bridge...the remaining "frets" are calculated and measured from the 12th fret, an exercise which is simple and based on the 12th root of 2, as we all know...another way is to simply determine a position 1 step above the open string tone, WHATEVER it may be...it will work for ANY tone...it does NOT have to the tone that the string SHOULD be...then put a tape one step above that and then 1/2 step above that...the string MUST be at the same pitch for the placing of ALL the tapes, but it doesn't NOT have to be at the absolute perfect pitch for that string...
b b b b but tape is cheating. You gradually develop a feel for where the note is.
It’s an old argument and I’ve come to the conclusion that the answer changes depending on the student. Some truly need tapes for a while and that’s ok. They’re just training wheels that help you to develop a feel for where the notes are.
Very helpful thank you.