OLYMPIC CELLO WORKOUTLONG TONES  
 
 
   

This is a standard exercise for wind players to develope a beautiful, full sound. The incredible Zara Nelsova taught me this one. Her father was a flute player.

  
 PREPARATION  DESCRIPTION

Metronome Quarter note=60
Use open "G" String for this exercise.

  In this exercise, all levels, you will be playing the open "g" string. Sounds kind of simple but it's not quite so easy. Start with Level 1 and try to do all the exercises indicated. Do 2-4 cycles (down bow + up bow) per exercise. Play as close to the bridge as possible without creating a sul pont sound. Concentrate on creating a solid tone without wavering. Your left hand can be in a relaxed position on the instrument or in your lap.


LEVEL 1
8-10 clicks per bow

  1. Consistent tone at forte on both DOWN and UP bows.
  2. Down bow:crescendo to mid-bow, decrescendo to tip. Up bow: cresc. to forte mid-bow and decresc. to frog.
  3. Down bow: piano crescendo to forte at tip. Up bow: forte at tip, decrescendo to piano at frog.
  4. Down bow:: start forte and decrescendo to tip. Up bow: start piano and crescendo to the frog.

LEVEL 2
14-16 clicks per bow


LEVEL 3
20-25 clicks per bow

Further Study: Try this on other open strings. Use stopped notes too. The narrower the string and the shorter the string length the more difficult the exercise is to execute.



NOTE: I highly recommend taking a look at Victor Sazer's book "New Directions in Clo Playing." Much of what he says is great but specifically for this exercise check out the "Bowing" chapter, "Slow Bows."

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