| Author |
Comment |
Herr
Kukini
Registered User
Posts: 5
(2/18/01 5:09:04 pm)
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|
Tired arm
For songs that involve multiple string crossings at fast tempos, I
find that my arm gets tired easily(obviously), and it makes
practicing the song for long periods of time difficult. I was
thinking maybe lifting weights would be a solution, but I'm not
sure. Any suggestions?
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dmarteinson
Registered
User
Posts: 7
(2/18/01 5:45:12
pm)
Reply
|
Re: Tired
arm
I don't know about actual weight lifting, but Erik Friedlander has
put together a great cello "Olypmic Workout" that you can
try.
See:
http://www.erikfriedlander.com/lessons/Workout_home.htm
I
recommend long tones in particular for developing strength and
control in the right arm (Lesson 1), but don't overdo it !
It'd be interesting to know whether actual weight lifting
might help, I'm really not sure. I would _guess_ that a Bruce
Lee-ish physique would probably be better for a cellist than an
Arnold Scharzenneger-ish physique, since strength is often the enemy
of speed and flexibility. Maybe some of the pedagogues here have
explored this?
-djm
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rexmeow
Registered
User
Posts: 4
(2/21/01 1:13:14
am)
Reply
|
Re: Tired
arm
From my experience, lifting weights can help some. But I lift
weights for my biking, skating, and climbing, plus you want to keep
your bones in good shape, so it couldn't hurt for that, try
pullup,pushups, and dips also. My arms will still get tired
sometimes like in the situation you described but just not as
easily.But I have wrist problems anyways, those past biking injuries
just seem to haunt me.But do try lifting weights for strength, it
improves the body, makes you healthier.
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Nvbob7
Registered
User
Posts: 10
(2/22/01 4:59:38
pm)
Reply
|
Re: Tired
arm
Herr Kukini,
If you do decide to lift weights, I urge you to
speak with a trainer. Just doing curls with dumb bells probably
won't help you that much, and a neophyte with weights almost always
gets injured. Cello playing demands endurance and agility among a
large group of muscles. I suspect the trainer will give you a light
free weight regimen to start with: light weight and many
repetitions. That will build tone and endurance. Heavy weight and
few repetitions builds bulk.
Weights may not be the place to
start, but there are alternatives. Calisthenics are very good. I
like them because I can do them anywhere I travel and no equipment
is required. Navy Seals use them for the same reason so if that
isn't and endorsement, I don't know what is. Push-ups will help a
lot. If you vary how far apart you place your hands on the floor,
you work different muscle groups in your arms, chest and shoulders.
Then do some stomach crunches (half sit-ups). This strengthens your
stomach and back, which are the foundation of your strength. Then
get between two chairs and do some dips. This is very good for your
triceps (very important on the bowing arm), not to mention lats and
shoulders.
Some type of aerobic exercise that gets your heart
rate up for 20 minutes three times a week is key, musician or not.
If you prefer not to run (like myself) try brisk walking, preferably
up hill. Carry a five pound (2 kg) weight in each hand. You'll be
amazed how much energy you'll have after two weeks.
I have
found swimming to be excellent exercise for my cello playing,
because it demands a full smooth motion. Because of my travel
schedule I cannot practice every day, so the two or three days a
week I do practice I like to work for three or four hours. Orchestra
reheasals that go three hours now seem short to me now.
There
is another thing to consider: You may be tensing your muscles in
anticipation of a fast passage. My wife who is a very nimble on the
violin cured me of this by teaching me to slow my breathing and
relax. You are much faster when you are loose, and you'll have more
endurance.
Good luck!
Bob Short
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ollec
Registered User
Posts: 149
(2/23/01 12:50:51 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Tired
arm
The thing that weight training really helps with is lugging the
thing around!
Seriously though, weight training could help if you
approach it the right way. The thing about weight training is that
it tends to make you do everything with your muscles, even when you
don't really need them. I weight train, but I also do yoga, in which
there is a lot of attention given to energy conservation. The thing
is that you don't necessarily need your muscles for everything, but
people who lift weights tend to have a "muscular" approach to
everything. I'm not saying not to weight train, jsut to pay
attention to how you're using your body.
It's kind of a hard
concept to explain and I'm not having much luck. Maybe someone more
articulate than I am will know what I mean and explain it for
me.
Samantha
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Nvbob7
Registered
User
Posts: 13
(2/26/01 2:24:24
pm)
Reply
|
Samantha is
right
I'm not sure I'm more articulate but I think I understand
exactly what Samantha means. Cello bowing is every bit a complex
movement as a golf swing. I've seen many examples of smaller,
graceful golfers out driving larger muscular opponents. While the
distance the ball travels is a simple matter of physics (generating
club head speed), attaining the best result takes timing and skill.
There is a big South African golfer named Ernie Els. He is called
The Big Easy because is swing looks so effortless, but he hits the
ball huge.
Therefore if your bowing form is graceful,
efficient and precise, you'll develop a better sound with less
effort.
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CatMarieS
Registered
User
Posts: 11
(5/22/01 8:14:08
pm)
Reply
|
Re: Tired
arm
I get kinda tired too, and once I was playing this song with 16th
notes...I think the teacher made it as an excersize because it had
thirty second notes, and I really hadn't seen a whole lot of those
before. Anyway, the more ya ractace, the better you get, that's the
only thing I have to tell ya.  MAY
THE MUSIC BE WITH YOU! LIVE LONG AND PLAY!
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