S t r i n g    P r o j e c t

Promotional Guidelines

To promote you must play with good posture. Check your posture against this list:

   violin/viola   cello  bass

This is what you need to know to promote:

    Orchestra  Beginning Ensembles

Promotional Guideline Position Checklist for Cello:

Please Note:  In order to promote to the next ensemble or orchestra, the student must check-off each requirement for his/her instrument and turn in with the appropriate “Guidelines for Promotion” checklist WITH his/her private teacher’s signature.

GENERAL POSTURE

o Is the student sitting near the edge of the chair with feet flat on the floor?

o Does the cello chair allow an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 110 degrees at the hip joint, i.e., is the cello chair proportionate to the student?

o Is the back straight with weight on the balls of the feet?

o Are the shoulders relaxed and not twisted?

o Is the body balanced so student can rock from side to side with the cello?

o Is the C string peg near the left ear?  The scroll should not be resting on the shoulder.

o Can the left hand easily touch the fingerboard, nut, and, if possible, bridge?

o Is the fingerboard and endpin aligned with the student’s centerline? Is it vertical as opposed to crooked or tilted to someone facing the cello?

o Can the student cradle the cello with knees and without the aid of arms?

o Does the balance of student’s sitting position allow student to stand at any time?

LEFT HAND POSITION

o Is there a direct line running straight from the left elbow through the base knuckle of the fourth finger to the fingerboard through the finger pad?

o Does the elbow height allow quick sliding up and down the fingerboard?

o Is the thumb relaxed and opposite second finger pad?

o Does the hand and fingerboard form a tunnel? (a “C” shape?)

o Are the fingers curved, and not collapsed?

o Are the base knuckles above the fingerboard?

o Is the first finger tilted back slightly toward the fingerboard nut?

o Does the finger articulation function from the base joint?

RIGHT HAND POSITION

o Are there natural spaces between the fingers?

o Is the bow moving on the string parallel to the bridge?

o Is the contact point consistently about halfway between the fingerboard and bridge?

o Is the index finger making contact with the bow stick slightly on its side and about halfway between the first and second knuckles?

o Do the base knuckles form a line that runs parallel to the stick?

o Is there a different arm level for each string?

o Is the thumb free from caving inward?