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The Proper Sitting Position for the Cello

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My name is Diana Flesner and I am here at the International School of Music in Bethesda, Maryland. In this clip, we will be covering how to sit with the Cello and some of the very basics. So, one of the first things that you want to do is find an appropriate chair, for in most adults this will be a normal chair height with a flat top to the chair.

When you sit down, both feet should be able to be flat on the floor and your leg should be approximately at a 90 degree angle maybe a little bit larger. So, in addition to maintaining the connection with the floor through your feet, you want both sitting bows to be balanced on the chair equally.

After that, you need to find the appropriate height for your End Pin, so all Cellos have an End Pin. First of all, you need to loosen it, take it out to an appropriate level and then retighten it.

When the Cello is rested on the ground the C peg, this one right here should be about ear level, maybe slightly below. If the End Pin is too short you will see that this does not happen clearly. So, once you have found an appropriate length for the endpin you want to rest the bouts of the Cello between your knees which is right about there and again maintain your flexibility and mobility. The top of the Cello should rest about the lower rib cage level. One important thing to keep in mind when you are playing the Cello is that you always want to bring the Cello to you. So, just experiment with your arm and bringing it in towards you as opposed to having the Cello somewhere and bringing your body to meet that.

So again, maintain the integrity of your spine and bring the Cello to you. Once the Cello is resting there you can test your range your motion with your left arm just by sliding up and down the finger board. In the next clip, we will be covering tuning the Cello.