Hi, I'm Ailbhe McDonagh. In this video, we are going to talk about how to really zone in on your cello tuning now that you are an intermediate player.
Improving intonation on the cello isn't just about finger placement; it's about listening to the resonance of the instrument. One of the best ways to practice this is by playing "double stops" against an open string.
The "drone" technique
A great way to practice tuning is to play your melody slowly while simultaneously playing the open string next to it.
- Example: play a simple tune like Old McDonald on the D string, but keep your bow on the open A string at the same time.
- Why? The open string acts as a "drone" (reference pitch). It highlights immediately if your stopped note is out of tune.
Listening for resonance
When you play against a drone, you are listening for "resonance."
- Flat/sharp: if the note is out of tune, it will sound jarring, almost like a bagpipe.
- In tune: when the note is perfectly placed, the sound "locks in" and the cello rings freely.
Adjusting intervals
You might find that to make the interval ring perfectly, you have to place your finger slightly differently than you expect. For example, a leading note (like C# in D major) often needs to be quite high to resonate against the tonic.
Bow balance: 50/50
To make this work, you must maintain equal weight on both strings.
- If you press too hard on one string, it can distort the pitch.
- Aim for 50% weight on the A string and 50% weight on the D string.