The second finger is one of the most important in cello playing because it often gives us our minor notes and modal colours. It feels like the missing piece in the puzzle after learning open strings, 1st, 3rd, and 4th fingers. With the second finger, many new scales and melodies become possible.
Position and Thumb Placement
Keep your C-shape hand position:
Second Finger Notes in First Position
Here’s what the second finger gives you on each string:
Notice the pattern:
This is a crucial distinction and will help you understand which key you are in.
Comparing 2nd and 3rd Fingers
On the A and D strings:
Getting these differences clear in your mind will help you quickly recognise and play in both major and minor keys.
Repertoire and Practice (watch the video)
To celebrate the second finger, I wrote a piece called Chinese Garden (get sheet music here), which appears in my book It’s a Cello Thing. It is written in the Dorian mode, making full use of the second finger’s colours. You can find the piano accompaniment on Spotify here and other streaming platforms, so you can try playing along.
Position and Thumb Placement
Keep your C-shape hand position:
- A straight line runs from the elbow up to the thumb.
- The thumb sits gently behind the first and second fingers, straight across the neck, never pressing.
- The weight should come from the arm sinking down, not from squeezing.
Second Finger Notes in First Position
Here’s what the second finger gives you on each string:
- A string: A – B – C natural (same as open C one octave lower)
- D string: D – E – F natural
- G string: G – A – B flat
- C string: C – D – E flat
Notice the pattern:
- On the top two strings (A and D), the 2nd finger is a natural note (C and F).
- On the bottom two strings (G and C), the 2nd finger is a flat note (B♭ and E♭).
This is a crucial distinction and will help you understand which key you are in.
Comparing 2nd and 3rd Fingers
On the A and D strings:
- 2nd finger = natural note (C, F)
- 3rd finger = sharp note (C♯, F♯)
- 2nd finger = flat note (B♭, E♭)
- 3rd finger = natural note (B, E)
Getting these differences clear in your mind will help you quickly recognise and play in both major and minor keys.
Repertoire and Practice (watch the video)
To celebrate the second finger, I wrote a piece called Chinese Garden (get sheet music here), which appears in my book It’s a Cello Thing. It is written in the Dorian mode, making full use of the second finger’s colours. You can find the piano accompaniment on Spotify here and other streaming platforms, so you can try playing along.