Hello, I’m Kuro!
This time, we’ll cover Part 2 of the right-hand series: “How to Produce a Loud Sound”!
One of the charms of the cello is its ability to produce rich, warm, and enveloping tones.
In fact, questions about volume are some of the most common ones I get from my students!
On YouTube, I usually keep the volume down to avoid audio distortion
(using sul tasto techniques most of the time).
But in person, I’m known for playing extremely loudly, so I get asked about it a lot… (laughs).
That said, I wasn’t always capable of producing such volume—my sound used to be much quieter.
However, through various creative approaches, I’ve managed to achieve what some might call a “booming” sound!
(There was even a time when I used Evah Pirazzi strings just to increase my sound volume.)
In this post, I’ll share tips on how to create a big, powerful sound on the cello!
１．Practice scales with a loud sound (using the full bow) once a day
The first tip is to play scales once a day with a loud sound (forte).
Why is this important? One of the key conditions for producing a big sound is ensuring the instrument is in a resonant state. Instruments that haven’t been played for a while can become harder to play.
However, if you produce loud sounds daily, your instrument will gradually start to resonate more easily.
An instrument’s tone, volume, and playability can vary greatly depending on how it’s played. Start by gradually transforming your cello into one that responds well to your playing.
Note: Practicing with loud sounds in techniques other than long tones (like staccato) is less effective for this purpose.
This only takes about two minutes a day, so try making it part of your routine!
２．Practice Sustaining Sound Near the Bridge
Next, practice producing a focused and condensed sound efficiently.
Mastering this will allow you to produce a big sound with minimal bow usage.
“This technique was taught in a masterclass I attended.“
Practice Method:
・Simply bring the bow very close to the bridge and sustain the sound.
This exercise helps you produce a clean, powerful tone near the bridge, making it easier to increase your volume effectively.
This practice is crucial—dedicate at least two minutes a day to it!
３．Play as relaxed as possible
Combining this with the techniques mentioned above, relaxing your body makes it easier to produce a big sound.
However, even with proper relaxation, you won’t automatically achieve a large sound. That’s why practicing steps 1 and 2 is essential.
In Conclusion
How was this lesson?
Today, I shared tips on how to produce a big sound!
Remember, the foundation for a large sound is having your instrument in a resonant state, so aim to practice scales with big sounds daily!
By the way, extending your endpin can also help amplify your sound.
(This is because positioning the f-holes upward enhances resonance, and it also makes it easier to rest your right arm.)
For me, since I’m not very tall, I usually keep my endpin short.
In chamber music or orchestras, I use a shorter endpin, but for solos or when playing prominently in an orchestra, I extend the endpin as much as possible.
