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Comment |
Laura
Wichers
Moderator
Posts: 971
(5/22/01 8:48:49 am)
Reply
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More on the
pinky...
The fellow I'm studying with for a few weeks this summer is working
me through the Sevcik exercises. In the last two weeks, he has given
me a ton of stuff to think about and experiment with regarding the
right arm/hand, mainly focusing on finger articulation (cole? kole?
sp??). I found this to be very difficult while keeping my pinky
draped over the frog, so I've started to put my pinky on top of the
stick. Previously I was of the opinion that this position offers
less control and more tension. After working with it for a few
weeks, however, I've changed my mind. For me at least it offers MORE
control and LESS tension.
Questions:
What do you think the
pros/cons are of having the pinky on top of the stick?
Do you
find your other fingers shift to accomodate the new position? (mine
do)
Does it help you to keep your wrist from
angling?
Regarding the last one, I never really noticed that
instead of using my fingers to adjust the bow's path across the
strings, I was using my wrist instead. No wonder my lower arm was
always sore! Plus, there's more power available this way, as the
force is directly shot into the frog instead of the wrist
joint.
Comments?
Laura
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sarah
schenkman
Registered User
Posts:
374
(5/22/01 5:40:29 pm)
Reply
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Re: More on the
pinky...
Laura - I play with little finger on top of stick also - think
you're right about more control. Sometimes while I'm playing -
especially real scrubby stuff, it sits lower on the bow, but not
usually.
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Jon
Pegis
Registered User
Posts: 59
(5/22/01 7:06:28 pm)
Reply
|
Pink
thoughts
Every teacher I've had would tell me something different about
pinky placement, and I've come to the conclusion that they all were
right! I don't think there's one bow grip that works for everything,
and I play with the pinky on top quite a bit. It's very helpful in
balancing a tip-heavy bow as you come into the frog. It also helps
with certain types of articulation that use mostly wrist and finger
muscles. I also agree that the pinky on top position does reduce
tension and add control.
Lynn Harrell is a good example of a
cellist who uses lots of different bow grips. I think he talks about
this a little bit on those videos with Orlando Cole.
Jon Pegis
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 Steve
Drake
Registered User
Posts: 334
(5/22/01 10:08:48 pm)
Reply
Community Supporter
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Re: More on the
pinky...
I studied with Andor Toth at Oberlin, and he has all his students
do the pinky on top of the stick thing. Being the good student, I
obliged, and really tried hard to make it work, but soon after
leaving Oberlin I stopped doing it, and started getting a better
sound.
My current stand partner is a more recent student of
Toth's and he uses the pinky technique, and it seems to work for
him.
Yes, your fingers will have to shift to accomodate this
technique. No, it won't keep your wrist from angling - quite the
opposite - it makes it angle even wore in the wrong direction. Maybe
I don't know what you mean. For instance - hang your arm by your
side. That is the most natural position for your wrist - you want to
be able to bow as close to that position as the cello/bow apparatus
lets you.
That's just me though - I've got big hands, and am
pretty dextrous, and use a variety of bow holds. If you've found the
pinky on top bow hold on your own, and it works for you, then by all
means use it. The more varied techniques you can use, the better! As
Jon noted, Lynn Harrel is a good example of someone who uses a lot
of bow grips - Zara Nelsova also told me to use as many varied bow
techniques as are needed to accomplish great cello sound.
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