Harry Wimmer Top Ten Cello Q & A #9: Spiccato

Ask Harry WimmerQ & A#9

I need help with my Spiccato!

Q. For me, Spiccato has always been difficult. How do I get it to sound
pleasing and even?

A. Spiccato is one of the easiest bow strokes IF YOU LET THE BOW
DO THE WORK! You must let the bow drop on the string and let it rebound.

Try

Step 1 MAKE LARGE
CIRCLES (ALL }

and let bow drop on G String.

Drop bow slightly below Middle.

Result of impact will be a "clunky"
sound (which will be refined
in Steps 3 and 4). Hamster Cage Exercise Step 1: Making large up-bow circle
Play 8 x each string

NOTE:
Fingers firm on stick, yet flexibly balanced - springy.
(See The Joy of Cello Playing Master Lesson 6:
Fine Finger Control}

Step 2NOW CUT LARGE
CIRCLE IN HALF:

Continuous motion (like a swing),
letting bow drop on G String. Hamster Cage Exercise Step 2: Cutting circle in half
Play 8 x each string

Step 3FOCUSING IN:

Keeping the motion continuous, gradually make the large half-circles smaller and
smaller,speeding up the tempo..
*You will hear the "clunky" drop sound evolve magically into a resonant, ringing
Spiccato sound.

Step 4SPICCATO ON A SCALE:

Go on to next note of scale after each pattern:

Spiccato on a Scale: 4 different patterns

NOTE:
This is a good time to further refine your Spiccato sound.experiment with:

C o n t a c t(S o u n d i n g)P o i n t -
Playing closer to bridge gives a harder sound.
Playing closer to fingerboard gives a more cushioned sound.

B o wB a l a n c eP o i n t -
Test to see where your bow has the best rebound.
(Usually slightly below Middle)

B o wH a i r-
Playing with "Flat Hair" gives a higher bounce, resulting in
a crisper, drier sound.
Playing on "Side of Hair" gives you a gentler, more
cushioned sound.

For controlling theTone Factors,
see The Joy of Cello Playing Master Lesson 5.

How to Order Master Lesson 5

____________________

If you found this Q & A helpful, or for further questions and comments.e-mail Harry Wimmer.
<hwimmer@wimmercello.com>

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	Ask Harry WimmerQ & A#9
		I need help with my *Spiccato!*
	Q. For me, *Spiccato* has always been difficult. How do I get it to sound pleasing and even? A. Spiccato is one of the easiest bow strokes IF YOU LET THE BOW DO THE WORK! You must let the bow drop on the string and let it rebound. Try

	Step 1 MAKE LARGE CIRCLES (ALL } and let bow drop on G String. Drop bow slightly below Middle. Result of impact will be a "clunky" sound (which will be refined in Steps 3 and 4).	Play 8 x each string
	NOTE: Fingers firm on stick, yet flexibly balanced - springy. (See The Joy of Cello Playing Master Lesson 6: Fine Finger Control}
	Step 2NOW CUT LARGE CIRCLE IN HALF: Continuous motion (like a swing), letting bow drop on G String.	Play 8 x each string
	Step 3FOCUSING IN: Keeping the motion continuous, gradually make the large half-circles smaller and smaller,speeding up the tempo.. You will hear the "clunky" drop sound evolve magically into a resonant, ringing Spiccato sound. Step 4SPICCATO ON A SCALE: Go on to next note of scale after each pattern:* NOTE: This is a good time to further refine your Spiccato sound.experiment with: C o n t a c t(S o u n d i n g)P o i n t - Playing closer to bridge gives a harder sound. Playing closer to fingerboard gives a more cushioned sound. B o wB a l a n c eP o i n t - Test to see where your bow has the best rebound. (Usually slightly below Middle) B o wH a i r- Playing with "Flat Hair" gives a higher bounce, resulting in a crisper, drier sound. Playing on "Side of Hair" gives you a gentler, more cushioned sound. For controlling theTone Factors, see The Joy of Cello Playing Master Lesson 5. How to Order Master Lesson 5 ____________________ If you found this Q & A helpful, or for further questions and comments.e-mail Harry Wimmer. <hwimmer@wimmercello.com> On toQ & A #10?Home For still more topics, return to Top 10 Q & A's or to Ask Harry Wimmer.