| Author |
Subject |
violoncello15
Registered User
(10/13/00 4:05:58 pm)
Reply |
Size
vs. the Cello
Hello,
I was just curious to
see what people think out there on how big or tall a celiist is and
if it has an effect on how we play the instrument. The reason I ask
this is because I'm 6'6" (230lb) and while certain things are much
easier, like reacher for octaves or extensions I've also sometimes
think that somethings are held back. Also, for some reason or
another, in my lifetime of cello instructors, they have all been
quite a bit shorter than me and for the most part everything goes
pretty well, but every once in a while I think there are set backs
since the cello is such a physical instrument and our bodies all
operate by means of what we have.
I don't know if this even
really makes sense, but was just curious to hear input on this
issue, if there is any. Thanks, violoncello15.
|
OyOy
Registered User
(10/13/00 4:25:36 pm)
Reply |
Bigger
hands = Bigger sound!!!
|
lblake
Registered
User
(10/13/00 5:39:38 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Size vs. the Cello
I think being small would have more
drawbacks than being large.
On the other side of the coin, I
think size has less bearing on your ability to play cello than it
does on, say, violin, or viola, or bass. One of my orchestra
conductors says, "I think the cello is the most human-sized
instrument."
|
Lucy
Clifford
Registered User
(10/14/00 12:40:48 am)
Reply |
well
quite!
And the cello's vioce has the most
human range. Therefore it can truly sing, rather than a violin that
has an agonised shriek...
|
WhataDaryl
Registered User
(10/14/00 1:11:53 am)
Reply |
Difficulty with size
Howdy,
I'm not quite as tall as
you are...I step in at 6'1".
The only problem I have with the
cello due to height is
that I get rosin marks on my left leg
because they protrude beyond the cello's body and I haven't found a
way to stop it. The most common complaint I've heard from anyone
about cello "fitting" is from over-weight people. I had a friend in
high school that couldn't ever seem to hold it comfortably because
the cello pressed against his stomach when he
played.
Daryl
|
zambocello
Registered User
(10/14/00 1:26:00 am)
Reply |
So,
size does matter?
Hey, I was meaning about cello
playing!  (Or Godzilla
movies.)
|
Andrew
Victor
Registered
User
(10/14/00 11:32:46 am)
Reply |
Re:
Size vs. the Cello
I'd say "you are big" - certainly
1/2 taller than I ever was! depending on where this is (legs, torso,
arms hands) of course it affects your playing posture, the best
chair height and angle, and the optimum endpin length.
Having
an instructor who understands cello playing from the persepctive of
the principles involved rather than in how he/she does it is
important. Victor Sazer's book is an intersting one to look at, if
you haven't seen it yet - he is a "principled"
instructor.
The underlying postural principles are equally
important to violin and viola playing (and probably bass, too).
While the actual posture depends on dimensions and flexibility of
various body parts of each individual.
Andy
|
ruthann
Registered User
(10/16/00 12:57:57 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Size vs. the Cello
When I was in college at UW studying
with Toby Saks, she used to remark on how lucky I was to have such
large hands, as hers were quite tiny. But large hands or no, I will
never play as well as she does...
cello_suttonr@hotmail.com
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