Hello, I’m Kuro!

This time, I will talk about the basics of “left-hand positioning” and the “1st position.”

Points for pressing the strings

There are four main points to keep in mind when pressing the strings in the 1st position:

１．Bend the fingers (don’t flatten them)
２．Place the thumb below the 2nd finger (the middle finger)
３．Make sure the fingers are vertical when pressing the strings
４．Press the string with the fingertip as if grasping it Let’s explain each point.

1. Bend the fingers (don’t flatten them)

When you start learning the cello, you will often hear your teacher say, “Bend your left fingers, don’t let them flatten.”

But why must the fingers be bent?

Actually, if your fingers are flattened and the contact area increases, it becomes harder to produce a resonant sound. When pressing the string with your fingers, it is necessary to press more firmly than it may seem.
For example, open strings ring clearly, but when pressing a string with your finger, it might sound less resonant.
This happens because the string is not being pressed firmly enough to make it vibrate properly.
One cause of this is when the fingers are flattened.
Flattening the fingers increases the contact area, which disperses the force, making it difficult to produce a clear, clean sound.
As your finger strength increases, you may intentionally flatten your fingers to soften the tone, but the basic approach is to keep the fingers bent. Also, when the contact area increases, the sound becomes muffled, what we call a “muffled” sound.

Bending the fingers is important for:
・Pressing with more precision and ease by using a point of contact
・Producing a better tone

The reasons why the fingers should not bend back are:
・It increases the risk of injuring the fingers
・It makes it harder to relax the left hand
・It makes it harder to play fast passages
・It makes it harder to perform a smooth vibrato
These are some of the reasons why fingers should not be bent back.

By the way, when you normally grip something, do your fingers bend back? Typically, they do not.
So, bending your fingers backward is an unnatural movement, which places a lot of strain on the finger joints and muscles.
Since your fingers are taking an unnatural position, it becomes harder to relax, which causes tension.
Moreover, when pressing the cello string, it’s important to understand that you are not squeezing or gripping hard; you are allowing the left hand to hang loosely from the neck.
Let’s go back to the main point.
Pressing the string while your fingers are bent back can cause injury, so try to gradually correct this.

2. Place the thumb under the 2nd finger (middle finger)

I often get this question, and the answer is: place it below the 2nd finger (the middle finger).
There are several reasons for this:

・It makes it easier to press with the little finger
・It makes it easier to keep the fingers vertical

These are the key reasons.

First, if the thumb and the little finger are too far apart, it becomes harder to press with the little finger.
However, if the thumb and little finger are too close together, it becomes harder to press with the other fingers.Thus, placing the thumb below the 2nd finger (middle finger) provides a balanced position.

Also, as I explain in the video, if the thumb moves higher than the index finger, the fingers will naturally flatten.
Try gripping a plastic bottle or similar object with just your fingertips and raise your thumb above the index finger.
You will likely notice that your fingers begin to flatten.

This is what happens when the thumb moves too high—it causes the fingers to flatten. Rather than forcing the fingers to stand, adjust the position of the thumb to allow the fingers to stand naturally.

Note: Be careful not to flatten the thumb too much in an attempt to make the fingers stand. Doing so will fix the hand and make vibrato difficult.

3. Keep the fingers vertical when pressing the string

When pressing the string, try to press it as vertically as possible.
If the fingers are angled, the force will be spread sideways, requiring more effort to press the string down.
To press the string efficiently with less effort, it’s essential to press vertically. If your fingers are flattening, check the position of your thumb and place it below the 2nd finger (middle finger) as explained earlier.

4. Press the string with the fingertips as if grasping it

This is easier to understand if you try it yourself.
First, prepare a 500ml plastic bottle (or any similar object, like a glasses case or water bottle).
Now, try gripping it with just your fingertips, keeping your palm away from the object.
Place the thumb in the same position as the 2nd finger (middle finger).
This is the best form for pressing the string, resembling how you grip the bottle.

Next, try raising your thumb above the index finger while holding the bottle with your fingertips.
You’ll probably find it hard to grip the bottle, and the other fingers might lift up.

This is the same issue you encounter when pressing the cello string. If the thumb moves too high, unnecessary force is needed, and your left hand may tire or even hurt. This is because you’re forcing the hand into an uncomfortable position, which strains the fingers, hands, and arms.

Elbow Position

Finally, let’s talk about the elbow position.

This is a question I’ve received before.
The elbow position varies from person to person, but there are a few general principles:
・The elbow should not be too high or too low
・The wrist should not be excessively curved inward

So, what is the correct position?

Generally, the best elbow position is one that allows easy transition from the high position to the 1st position. This helps to avoid unnecessary strain on the left hand.

・The wrist should not be excessively curved inward, which allows easier movement to the high position and prevents unnecessary tension in the left hand.
・The elbow should not be too low to make it easier to shift to the high position and apply the weight of the arm.
・The elbow should not be too high, as this makes the arm tense, making it harder to relax and play.

In short, if the elbow position allows easy movement between the 1st and high positions, it is generally fine.
If you keep adjusting the position each time you move between the 1st and 7th positions, you won’t be able to play pieces that require quick transitions. By paying attention to the elbow position, you will gradually be able to play more comfortably.
However, make sure the wrist does not collapse inward!

・In conclusion

How was that?

In my teaching materials, there are plenty of practice pieces that help you apply the points I discussed today.
Try to practice with these principles in mind!