Pitch on a Cello

As a stringed instrument, you adjust the pitch on a cello by changing the length of the string.  You do this by stopping the string on the fingerboard.  Unlike the guitar, the cello has no frets to give you an indication of where to place you finger.  There are no keys, like on a piano or wind instrument.

Instead, cellists learn where to place their fingers by position.  In order to play the notes in tune, it is important for cellists to hear the note in tune.  That is why I believe that ear training is so important.  I try to train students to hear notes in tune before playing them.

To help give you an idea of what I mean by ear training, ponder the following question.  Have you ever had a song stuck in your head?  It is that inner singing that I hope to train, so that students hear notes in tune before trying to play them.  If at all possible, purchase the CD of the music that your child is working on. I believe that using the CD goes very far in ear training.

Advertisement