Cellists: How do you get a good sound on high positions?

Question: Cellists: How do you get a good sound on high positions!?

I made a transcription of John Williams' Theme from 'Schindler's List' for cello, and am struggling with it now because I can't seem to get a good, intense vibrato sound on high positions (in the range of the E on the top line of the treble clef)!.

Any suggestions!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Make sure you bow a little closer to the bridge for the high notes!. This way, the distance between the note and bow would be enough for the string's vibrations to create a fuller sound!. Otherwise, as you may have discovered, it sounds flat and 'squashed'!. (Experiment with your bowing arm--high elbow!? high wrist!? more weight on string!? slow bow!? fast!?)

Another thing to notice is your left arm!. Memorize the 'feeling' of your fingers in 1st position!. Then try to duplicate it in the high positions!. A very important aspect is your elbow's degree of "opening"!. If you move your left hand up and down the fingerboard, the elbow should be 'opening' and 'closing'!.

Your elbow should be perfect if you can wiggle your fingers loosely (like playing very fast scales) in any position!.

Many cellists believe that playing high notes means scrunching up the shoulders to reach the notes!. However, that is actually the opposite of what you should do!. Playing high on the fingerboard with tense shoulders and fingers does not work!. The intervals between the fingers are smaller, which requires flexibility!. Relax your shoulders, and you'll find that doing vibrato will be easier with a relaxed left arm!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Shift if you have to!. Or just stay lower string and cross!. I don't think you need to transcribe though!. They have that piece readily available for the cello!. I haven't looked at it in a really long time but I don't remember having many high positions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

stay good and shift!Www@QuestionHome@Com