EDUC 4525B Instrumental Music Curriculum and Methodology B 2016-10-13

Assignment Two: Band Instrument Presentation

Madeleine Binney
a1629906

Introduction ............................................................................................2
The Basics .............................................................................................3
Technique ..............................................................................................4
The left hand ..........................................................................................4
Positions ................................................................................................5
Vibrato ....................................................................................................6
The right hand. .......................................................................................7
Bowing: ..................................................................................................7
Pizzicato: ................................................................................................7
How to hold the cello ..............................................................................8
How to hold the bow ..............................................................................8
Bow placement ......................................................................................9
Role in a School Ensemble ....................................................................9
Cello Music ............................................................................................9
Ability levels .........................................................................................10
Beginner ...............................................................................................10
Intermediate .........................................................................................10
Advanced .............................................................................................10
Need to know .......................................................................................11
Buying the instrument ..........................................................................12
Hiring the instrument ............................................................................12
Sheet music and resources .................................................................12
Top 10 Tips for the Cello ......................................................................14
References ...........................................................................................14

1
Introduction
The violoncello, more commonly know as the cello, is the second largest member of the string
family. Like the other string instruments of the orchestra, sound is produced by drawing a bow
across the strings or by plucking the strings.





















Name of parts of the cello and bow are shown below.

2
The Basics

Strings: A cello has 4 strings, each a fifth apart. The strings are C, G, D and A. The pitch of the
open strings is demonstrated on the bass clef below.

Range: C2 – C6

Clefs: The cello uses the bass, tenor and treble clefs. The clef is chosen depending on the pitch
and to avoid the use of leger lines. It is not uncommon to change clefs during a piece.







Cello sizes: Cello’s come in a range of sizes to suit the height of the player. Most high school
students will be playing a full size cello with some using a ¾ size. Below is a rough guide to cello
sizing.

3
Technique
The left hand: The function of the left hand is to determine the pitch. The left hand fingertips
stop the vibrating strings along their length, by doing this, the strings become shorter and
therefore higher in pitch. To play the open strings (C, G, D & A), strings are played to their full
length, meaning they are not pressed down. Figure 1 shows the notes of the fingerboard.

Figure 1: Fingerboard

The left hand fingers are numbered 1-4 (figure 2).

More detail: http://www.celloonline.com/fingerplacement.htm



1

2


3



4



Figure 2: Fingers

4
Positions (taken from celloonline.com)

When cello music is written in "1st position" or "4th position," this refers to where the hand is
located when fingers are placed on the cello fingerboard (see figure 1). Positions are used in
order to play certain notes without awkward fingering.

Although 1st position is the most commonly used position in beginning cello music, there are
seven regular positions, plus the thumb position, and for very advanced cello music, 8th and
higher positions. See figure 3 for a more in-depth look at positions.

Figure 3: Positions

5
Shifting: Shifting refers to the hand smoothly moving up or down the fingerboard in order to play
notes with the hand in a different position on the fingerboard.

More detail: http://www.celloonline.com/shifting.htm

Extensions: Basically, an extension is moving a finger out of the set position to reach a note.
This is also sometimes known as stretch position.

More detail: https://thecellocompanion.info/2012/01/19/stretch-position-on-the-cello/

Harmonics: Harmonics are produced when the plucked/struck/bowed string is touched at

particular points with light finger pressure. The string vibrates on both sides of the touching
finger. This allows the player, particular advanced players to play notes out of their usual range.

More detail: http://www.cellomap.com/index/the-string/harmonics.html

Watch this video: http://www.moderncellotechniques.com/left-hand-

techniques/harmonics/harmonics-overview/

Vibrato: A very common and highly expressive sound that gives colour to the sound.
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GhMUZCbC14
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gk4HlKz3Qw

6
The right hand: The right hand creates the sound and expression of the instrument. The cello
is either played with a bow or by plucking the strings (pizzicato).
Bowing:

Down bow: The player performs the indicated note by drawing

the bow downward or to the right across the instrument, moving its
point of contact from the frog toward the tip of the bow.

Up bow: The player draws the bow upward or to the left across the
instrument, moving the point of contact from the bow's tip toward the
frog

The bow is drawn across the strings roughly halfway between the end of the fingerboard and the
bridge, in a direction perpendicular to the strings. The bow is held with all five fingers of the right
hand, the thumb opposite the fingers and closer to the cellist's body (refer to the how to hold the
bow section for further information).

Tone production and volume of sound depend on a combination of several factors. The three
most important ones are: bow speed, weight applied to the string, and point of contact of the bow
hair with the string.
- The closer to the bridge the string is bowed, the more projecting and brighter the tone.
- If bowing closer to the fingerboard, the sound produced will be softer.

Double stop: A double stop refers to the technique of playing two notes simultaneously by either
plucking or bowing.

More details:
Bow Strokes: http://www.celloonline.com/bowstrokes.htm
Directions and special effects: http://www.celloonline.com/bowingeffects.htm
Pizzicato:
In pizzicato playing, the string is plucked directly with the fingers or thumb. Pizzicato is often
abbreviated as "Pizz.". Position of the hand is slightly over the fingerboard and away from the
bridge. Usually this is done with the right hand, while the bow is held away from the strings by the
rest of the hand or (for extended passages) set down.

7
How to hold the cello (taken from celloonline.com)

- Sit in a chair with a firm base. Some cellists prefer sitting towards the front of the chair, with
the left foot slightly forward.
- Adjust the cello endpin so the body of the cello gently rests against your chest, and the cello
is balanced between your knees.
- Use the knees to firmly steady the cello, not to grip the instrument.
- The neck and scroll of the cello should be to the left of your head, with the lowest tuning peg
approximately the same height as your ear (this may vary depending on the instrument and
cellist).
- Slightly angle the cello to the right so you are able to bow on all of the strings without having
to readjust the position of the cello between your knees.

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRK-wCTS7pI

How to hold the bow (taken from celloonline.com)

• Relax hand, slightly turn wrist to the left, and let the fingers drop into place.
• The tip of the bent thumb touches the frog contact point.
• Fingers gently curve over the top of the bow stick.
• Do not let the fourth finger (little finger) rest on top of the bow stick as it does in the violin
and viola bow hold. Let the fourth finger curve and extend over the top of the bow stick
along with the other fingers.

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0WRp4lBy4s

8
Bow placement (taken from celloonline.com)

Bow at the frog Bow at the middle Bow at the tip

Role in a School Ensemble

In a school ensemble environment the cello would be situated with the other stringed
instruments. The role of the cello consists of providing harmony, melody and bass lines.
Depending on the size and type of ensemble, the cello would predominately play a bass line
accompaniment.

Cello Music
Music most commonly played on the cello is classical music, due to the nature of the instrument.
It is also most suited to an orchestral environment. However, cello parts can be arranged to suit
almost any style of music played in the classroom.

9
Ability levels

Beginner
Fingering tape: To assist beginning cellists with correct finger placement, some cello teachers
use thin strips of coloured tape to mark fist position. Rather than using precise measurements to
place the tape it is best done by ear.

More detail: http://www.celloonline.com/fingerplacement.htm

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv_uiHAT3OI

Range: C2 – D4
Most music for cello beginners is written with the hand in 1st position. Students would begin by
playing pieces written mostly on the open strings and then advance a little further to playing
songs written on notes in first position and ‘backward extension’. Simple rhythms and
manageable tempos would be used.

Link to beginners songs: https://www.8notes.com/cello/sheet_music/?difficulty=1

Scales: C major, G major, D major, F major.

Link to some scales:

http://www.virtualsheetmusic.com/images/first_pages/BIG/FFerrari/ScalesVc1First_BIG.gif

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnHZWNFRY1M

Intermediate
Links to intermediate songs: https://www.8notes.com/cello/sheet_music/?difficulty=3

Advanced
Links to advanced songs: https://www.8notes.com/cello/sheet_music/?difficulty=4

10

Need to know
Tuning
o To tune the cello you can either use a digital tuner or tune it by ear to the piano or a tuning
fork.
o Tune the strings in the order of A, D, G, C by playing them with the bow.
o To adjust the pitch slightly, use the fine tuners. If the fine tuner is screwed inwards, the pitch
will go up. When the tuner is screwed outwards, the pitch will go down.
o To adjust the pitch more drastically, use the pegs. To avoid a snapped string causing injury
hold the font of the cello up against your body while using the pegs for tuning.

Replacing strings
o When replacing all of the strings it is best to do it one at a time to avoid damaging the
instrument.
o If replacing all of the strings, start with the C string and work up to the A string.
o If the string you’re installing has a fine tuner, insert the ball or loop end of the string over the
tuner cartridge in the tailpiece, and pull the string toward the bridge.
o If the string does not have a fine tuner, insert the ball or knotted end of the string through the
tailpiece string hole, tug firmly to make sure the knot or ball is securely in the slot, and pull the
string toward the bridge. You may need to hold the ball or knot in place with your finger while
increasing the tension of the string as you turn the peg.
o Slightly pull out the peg, the string will go in until the peg hole is just inside of the pegbox.
Thread the end of the string through the peg hole (let the string slightly protrude), and evenly
begin winding it.
o Push the peg in as you're turning the string to keep the peg from slipping.
o When replacing all of the strings, cellists often tune all of the strings to an approximate correct
pitch, then do the fine tuning to get each pitch precisely in tune.

More details: http://www.celloonline.com/changingstrings.htm

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nldDIhAaRc

Cello care

o Tighten bow before playing by gently turning the tension screw. Avoid making the bow hairs
too taut---the separation between the bow stick and hair should be about the width of a pencil.
o Put a small amount of rosin on bow before playing. Hold the rosin in your left hand, place the
bow hairs flat on the rosin and slowly move the bow back and forth on the rosin.
o After playing the cello, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove rosin build-up on the strings.

Rosin

o New cello bows often do not produce any sound because they need rosin.
o Rosin is extremely important because it provides the bow hair with friction in order to produce
a sound when the bow is pulled across the cello strings.

11
Buying the instrument
Price: Student instrument approximately $1000 (very low end) - $5000

Where to buy a cello in Adelaide:

Winston Music - http://www.winstonmusic.com.au/index.php?route=common/home

Allans Billy Hyde - http://www.allansbillyhyde.com.au/

Size Music - http://size.com.au/cello/

Hiring the instrument
Many schools offer the option to hire an instrument directly from the school for term or yearly
fees. Other companies that offer hire in Adelaide include:

Winston Music - http://www.winstonmusic.com.au/rental/

Size Music - http://size.com.au/how-to-hire/

Sheet music and resources
https://www.8notes.com/cello/ - All online resources are free with a wide variety of genres and
ability levels. This resource provides the ability to isolate either the piano or cello parts and
download them as midi files. The sheet music is available as a PDF.

http://www.halleonard.com/search/search.action?_c&menuid=2595&seriesfeature=&subsiteid=65
- Hall Leonard provide a huge variety of choice in cello books. Books are created to suit the
needs of any ability level and cover diverse genres of music.

http://www.ameb.edu.au/shop/strings/cello.html - AMEB produce graded books for many different

instruments and purposes. Unfortunately, these resources are not available electronically.

12
 Top 10 Tips for the Cello

o Make it part of your practice to memorize positions and notes

o Repetition of scales is useful for accuracy and building muscle

memory

o The cello needs to be tuned every practice! Ensure that is the

cello is in tune with the rest of the ensemble

o Ensure the endpin is not going to slip around on the floor

o Use rosin on the bow to create friction to produce sound. This

needs to be cleaned with a cloth after practice to avoid build-up.

o Always focus on good technique as this is essential to play at an

advanced level

o Take note of the bowing suggestions on the sheet music,

particularly in an ensemble to ensure bows are moving in the
same direction

o For accurate intonation listen very carefully

o First, practice without vibrato for better pitch accuracy

o Always have spare strings!

13
References
Images:
http://brailleatm.com/Y2VsbG8gZGlhZ3JhbQ/

http://cello-brained.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/cello-lesson-14-extra-monthly-lesson.html

https://magicalmovementcompany.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/the-music-little-children-and-
string.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cello_open_strings.png

http://www.celloonline.com/cellofingeringchart.htm

http://www.play-cello.com/tag/music-2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIkvxM_Apm8

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Clef

http://www.swstrings.com/product/accessories/any/GP-4001V

http://www.normans.co.uk/blog/2015/03/look-buying-cello/

Websites:

http://www.celloonline.com/cellobasics.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cello_technique

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_(music)

14