Double grabbing your cello, playing together on your own

by | Apr 30, 2020 | Tips UK

Playing double handles, or ironing two strings at the same time so that two tones sound, is a feast. I love it! Unfortunately not everyone shares this thought with me, but practice makes everything better and easier. Golden rule; work with your weight so that your thumb does not pinch you against the neck. You need relaxation and suppleness.

When can you start with double grips? As an extra exercise I would say as soon as you easily play the first position because your pure skin of the one, two, three or four fingers becomes much clearer when you play an open string with it, whether or not the open string is above the one you play or below it. It quickly becomes a nice addition to your possibilities.

Rick Mooney wrote “Double stops“; absolutely top. The songs are recognizable and that helps enormously and like I’m used to from Rick Mooney he builds up super methodically.

If you’re a real creep, then browse through the collections of Feuillard and Dotzauer; they have thirds and sixths on which all the rules for correct execution can be practiced. Take them to class, this is nostalgia for your teacher 😉

How do I do them?

Watch my video on YouTube; Preparatory exercises for double grabbing but do this at class with your teacher. Rule one is that you first play the bottom note, then the top note. And if you find them both pure then you play them both at the same time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM1ny4HIUhc

Do I often need those double handles?

Yes, the most beautiful passages are double-edged if you ask me. These three spring to mind.

1. This passage from Chopin’s cello sonata, last movement:

2. And crying at Schumann’s beautiful doubles in the slow part of his cello concert;
3. And this delightful passage of Dvorak in his cello concert, second movement:
However, so many beautiful cello études and caprices are filled with doubles; simply because you sound like two cello’s, like a duet, two voices. Learn!

I like to read about learning and performing doubles. Here you can read a nice article from The Strad, the trade magazine (with exercises).

Click here for the article in The Strad

Free E-book!

And look here; Cassia Harvey will give you a sample page/ sample page and there will be a pop-up for a free E-book with music by J.S. Bach for cello; download, I did!

Next time. Take this to class. Would you like to try this with me for an hour, learn, practice, improve? You’re welcome for a loose lesson, even if you’re not my student. You can schedule via www.celloverkoop.nl/agenda.

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Success!

Great regards,

Scarlett!

Scarlett

info@celloverkoop.nl | 06 – 1818 9005

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