The bow under the arm: for studying vibrato
This is the way we start practising vibrato, with the whole arm moving slowly up and down. Each movement is counted (Asti, Genova, Catanzaro). All four fingers are in place!
If the thumb slips
If the thumb slips, a little stick, or even just a match can be sellotaped along the back of the neck more or less at the centre; this will help the child to keep his hand in the right position.
The family at table
1st finger: father; 2nd finger: older son; 3rd finger: younger son; 4th finger: mother
Father eats (moves), the older son eats (the children must keep away from each other, otherwise they fight), the younger son eats, mother eats (moves).
At table children should sit still, and keep their elbows in: on the cello, “fingers at table” means that all four fingers stay in their positions on the strips and do not move, but must bend properly (tap).
