Bowing. Aaaahhhh

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Ok, so I just got a brand new cello today.
I tuned it, I prepared my bow (rosin etc.) and the tried to bow.
And it simply sounds terrible. It's incredibly weak, a very airy sound and I just don't know what am doing wrong. I started watching all these videos on how to hold bows and how to bow, but it doesn't help.

What could be the reason for this lush, weak, airy bowing sound?

Any ideas anyone?

P.S.: am having the same problem with my violin.

Thanks so much.
qwertaker

BiscayneBoulevar
d

First question:

Do you have a teacher?

If the answer is no, the first thing you need to do (before even picking up that bow) is to find one.

Failing that, what sort of cello do you have? What sort of bow? How long have you been playing?

Also for new bows, you want to rosin them like crazy for the first time. Even if you think you have enough, keep rosining it up.

The terrible sound may be due to a poor quality instrument, or lack of experience - but you haven't told us much about your background.

mon-petit-chou
(9 points)

theres nothing wrong with the instrument or bow, its just since you are new to playing you aren't used to how to create the right tone. its that way with all instruments. if you compare an elementary school band or orchestra with a professional one playing the same song with the same notes then theres a difference, but only in the tone quality.

Captain_Tuckshop
(295 points)

If you're relatively new to the instrument, than I will say that (with as little offense and no insult intended), that it may just be that you haven't learned how to produce a good, solid sound which takes a VERY long time to develope. However, if you ARE familiar with cello, than it is perhaps something to do with the instrument.

I believe the previous replies have covered the best way to cope with the situation. But in a checklist form:

1. Get a teacher, if you haven't done so already (private ones are the best)
2. Rosin your bow LIKE HELL
3. Make sure that your strings are tuned to the right note. If you tune by tuners, than the string could be registered as, say, a G instead of an A, because the string may be so flat.
4. It may be an issue with the strings, too. Getting some better ones may help, I'd recommend Jarger at a beginner-intermediate level, Larson Soloists and Pirastro for more advanced.
5. Don't push yourself to hard. Playing open strings for a week is dull, but if you do so with the right technique, you can compact 3 months work into 7 days, without straining as much.

Anyway, good luck, hope it works out for you

cellomaster
(58 points)

it also may be that your bow is not taught enough did you tighten your bow? if not that can produce the airy sound. try tightening the bow but not too much. the bow should have little smile when yuo hold eye level and there should be no loose hairs. and like the others have said rosin your bow like crazy.

Bowing. Aaaahhhh

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