ABSTRACT

The cello sounds as the tenor voice of the string family and is the sound anchor. Its design and construction are virtually identical to that of the smaller violin and viola, with the addition of endpin. The bow for the cello is heavier and shorter than the violin or viola bow, and like the other string instruments, a good bow plays a major role in tone quality and technique. The cello player is invariably seated with the instrument’s weight resting primarily on the endpin. The best left-hand position is one in which the forearm forms a straight line from the elbow to the wrist. On a full-size cello, the first finger is placed more than 3 inches from the nut to produce a whole step. Since the cello bow is shorter, thicker, and heavier than the violin bow, it requires more support. The fingers guide the bow on the string, and only “grip” it when controlling off the string bowings.