sound

[cello_unbound]

Well, it has taken 8 months, but it appears that I have finally, finally found a sound. Not my voice like I was looking for before - that is too complex too just find. Your musical voice is something that is constantly changing and evolving, and is flexible enough to change with whatever color you might choose to represent... which coincidentally,

Comments

[barefoot_cello]

One trick to learn is that the BOW is more important than the cello. also you reach diminishing returns quickly. Playing loud requires more force, yet more force chokes off the ability to create sound... a wicked circle, no?
There is a ratio of bow speed to bow weight that is necessary merely due to the laws of physics, but it is possible to cheat. Using "bow vibrato" allows you to use full force while still allowing the string full vibration. The result is a liquid sound that is mesmerizing... that sound is what matters... left hand perfection is common... the RIGHT hand... the BOW... that's what seperates the men from the boys...
Your boss is correct... you are only 19... you don't know your limits... but at the same time, you don't know your limits... relax, and let the cello speak... don't force it... and have something to say.
If you do, you'll be fine.
Please keep in touc, and if you have any youtube vids or such, please share.

philip

PS

[barefoot_cello]

Borodin is beautiful but empty...listen to Haydn op 20 #2, Shostakovich #8 Beethoven op 132...try and find the music that says something, rather than merely beaing beautiful. I love both Borodin quartets, but after listening, I'm unchanged...find music that changes you

Re: PS

[cello_unbound]

Oh don't worry about me - I have the entire shostakovich, beethoven, and bartok string quartets. There is no question as to if I am listening to the right music. I just had it on random is all. ;)

And about that golden ratio of speed versus pressure versus contact point - this is precisely how I've gotten this sound. My professor is a all about this - about believing that it really takes no strain to play the cello - it's just about this perfect equation. It was just finally seeing it all realized in my own playing. The bow is your paintbrush, as he would say.

Unfortunately no videos, and all my recordings are fairly old, but I should be recording for festivals this month. I'll put them up if I ever get to it.

Re: PS

[barefoot_cello]

Balderston, hmm... where do you go to school? I'd like to look him up