Cello Masterclass: Constructing a Healthy Bow-hold

Рет қаралды 5,898

4 жыл бұрын

In this video we look in detail at how to construct a healthy bow-hold and the principles underpinning that.
Julia Morneweg is a highly sought-after London cello teacher with an exceptional track record of student success. Her past and present students have held music scholarships at many of the most prestigious independent schools including St. Paul’s Boys School, Latymer, Alleyns, Francis Holland, Channing School, Sevenoaks and Hornsby House. She has given masterclasses and run workshops at institutions such as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the RCM Summer School, Enterprise Scotland and Tanglin Trust School in Singapore.
Her own performing career has seen her perform as a soloist and chamber musician at venues including the Purcell Room, St. John’s Smith Square, St. David’s Hall Cardiff, Zurich Tonhalle, Daning Theatre Shanghai and many others. She was a member of the Erato Piano Trio for twelve years and has performed as a guest with leading UK and European orchestras.
The break to her performance schedule enforced by the COVID-19 lockdown has finally enabled her to make this long-planned series of videos. Julia currently teaches students remotely via Zoom. Visit her website www.juliamorneweg.com for more information about lessons.
If you have a question or would like a specific topic explained in another video, leave a comment below!

Пікірлер: 28

@xnaao 20 күн бұрын

The contact points thing helped me a lot. For several months I struggled a lot with the bow hold because I was focusing on where the tips of my fingers should lay. It never matched what I saw on video (because of the size of my fingers) and was very uncomfortable. But focusing on putting the bow in the "crease" of my middle finger changed everything. Thank you !

@albertomunoz9443 9 ай бұрын

That is the most accurate and pedagogical way to teach holding the bow for we begginers. Thanks Julia.

@wingkongyip4424 Жыл бұрын

That is the best explanation on bow hold I’ve seen.

@annbruin Жыл бұрын

You've helped me so much with saying your hand will melt in all sorts of contortions. It drove me crazy, but now I know I'm normal! Hallelujah

@juliamorneweg5416 Жыл бұрын

Realistic expectation management is a REALLY important part of teaching! Especially for people who are used to acquiring new skills really quickly, this can become very frustrating and demoralising otherwise. Trust the process and you'll get there!

@RockStarOscarStern634 18 күн бұрын

Julia Morneweg This applies to the CodaBow Joule for Cello too.

@barriereid9244 Ай бұрын

Along with a new bridge came a new bowing and bow hold....from intermediate student to...doh! 🍧🌹

@jacquislasher3572 Жыл бұрын

Thank you ! Your tutorial on bow hold is probably the best I’ve ever seen, very visually and orally concise. As an adult learner I spent a few years with two sore thumb joints, because I wasn’t made aware that my thumb needed to be bent until I changed teacher, he undid a few of my bad habits which I developed due to lack of understanding.

@Valdir1981 Жыл бұрын

Loved this approach to the bow. Thank you for sharing it 🌹

@blackcat138 2 жыл бұрын

Alright, I'll keep practicing this. Thank you.

@christinewatters2879 10 ай бұрын

Very helpful. Thank you.

@rick5489 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I looked at him. He seems as tall as I am. Truly amazing.

@kkendall1964 Жыл бұрын

Great explanation.

@stephenedwardleemusic8997 Жыл бұрын

thank You!

@faithite Жыл бұрын

Thank You. Indeed I have short pinky on both hands. I always thought I was holding my bow wrongly! My middle and ring fingers fight each other for the metal ring. Even my hands are too large!😅

@christinakellenberger9045 5 ай бұрын

Do you use the same approach for very young children (4/5 year old) or do you hold the bow closer to balance point?

@YngveSkarphedinssoon Жыл бұрын

Vielen Dank

@HelenA-ow3pw 3 ай бұрын

I’m an adult learner who is left-handed and really struggling with bow hold. Does being left-handed make it more difficult, as my right hand is much weaker. Any tips? Fab video by the way 😊

@xnaao Ай бұрын

I don't know about the left hand. But I'm right handed and the bow hold is definitely a big struggle for me.

@juliamorneweg5416 20 күн бұрын

It doesn't make a huge amount of difference in my experience. Bow hold simply takes time. As I'm saying in the video, it will initially 'melt' hundreds of times. The key here is to diligently start the process I'm showing all over again every time that happens. (Don't try to become faster at it - only better!) With time, you'll notice that the intervals between the meltdowns become longer and longer as you build the necessary muscles.

@HelenA-ow3pw 18 күн бұрын

@@juliamorneweg5416 thank you so much for reply 😊

@rick5489 2 жыл бұрын

Does the indicator on the middle finger hold true if you have long fingers?

@juliamorneweg5416 2 жыл бұрын

Yes! It doesn't matter if the fingertips hang over the end of the heel. Can't give you a better example to look at than my wonderful colleague Sasha Volpov (who btw has taught me more about playing the cello than anyone!): kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m7uFosZkqpOreIk.html

@YngveSkarphedinssoon Жыл бұрын

A point not address here the thumb has to be bent not straighten. Is that Correct?

@juliamorneweg5416 Жыл бұрын

Watch one more time from about 3:50 ;-))) Go with the natural curvature that you'll get when you hold a mug, bottle, glass etc and you can't go wrong.

@olemps6420 3 жыл бұрын

i keep alternating holding a cup and the bow and it keeps throwing me off because of the weight of the bow and im not sure where to place my pinky it feels weird i dont know if its too far down is there a golden standard for pinky placement? thanks

@juliamorneweg5416 3 жыл бұрын

Apologies for not replying sooner! The short answer is: there isn't! Because it depends hugely on individual physique. I myself have an abnormally short pinky, so it just about makes it onto the stick. Someone with longer fingers might have theirs coming quite a long way down. Apply the alignment principle that I explain in the video (middle knuckle of the middle finger and thumb) and wherever the others naturally land is usually the right place.

@olemps6420 3 жыл бұрын

@@juliamorneweg5416 tanks for the response - the main problem i have is always that when i stretch the wrist after the arm movement 1. my thumb keeps slidingggg 2. my pinky doesnt pronate properly and often slides too far down 3. feels kinda heavy and this feels like it stems from not being able to apply enough force to get a proper resonant vibration any idea how to get out of this rut