I just started the cello and I don`t know if am supose to play with my finger tips or not.Shifting I don`t understand that it says in my book move your whole hand toward or away from bridge.

That`s a good question. I looked through the cello lessons on this forum and it didn`t say. Don`t use the extreme tips of the fingers. Take your hand and look at it whule touching each finger to your thunb. What part of them naturally come together without forcing. I use the finger towards the tip from where your finger print is but not all the way out at the tip. Use the part of the finger that is on the other side of the fingernail. Just where ever it feels natural to you.

Shifting is from one position to another wether it is towards the bridge or away from it. Wether it is from 1st to 2nd or from 2nd to 1st. Shifting is either direction.
Bob

How come when I play my bow makes squeak.