December 15, 2025 18:23:44

Hi everyone, this is Connie and today we're learning the left hand of how to play the cello. And I have my friend Ben here with me. You can follow along with Ben when we're learning. And so everyone, you can set your bow down if you haven't already and we're going to start with the left hand. So can everyone show me a C shape with your left hand? So notice how the C shape makes sure every finger is nice and relaxed and your thumb is directly across from your second finger, just like that. Very nice. So now let's transfer that on the instrument. You want to put your hands around this part of your instrument, which is called the neck of the instrument. And you want to put the thumb behind the neck, lightly touching the neck, and then wrap your hands around your instrument, keeping the C shape, nice and relaxed. Very nice. So again, remember the second finger is across from your thumb. So make sure that all of your fingers can move very freely, just like this. Okay, now I want you to just put the first finger on the first line, the third finger on the second line, and then the pinky on the last line. Okay? So now let's just try to tap all the fingers together. I want you to find the string. So the second string from the left. Can you find it? Very nice. This is D string. Awesome. So let's just try to tap all the fingers together with some rhythm. So first me, then you. Fingers. Now on the first. Then third. Then fourth. Very nice. Notice how when I was playing the fourth finger, I have my first finger and also the ring finger down like this. Very nice. So now let's learn the first four notes of the D major scale, which are D. And then first finger down, this is E. And then third finger down, this is F sharp. Great. And then pinky down, and this is G. Very nice. So now let's try it all together. So remember, D is open, and then one, and then three, and then four. Wonderful. So we're going to do some call and response, so just try to follow what I do. All together in a row, and then let's see. We want to repeat each note four times, just like what we did. Ready? Okay. One, two, three, four. Coming down, three, three, three, three, one. Try something else. So this time, we're still going to use these four notes, so D, E, F sharp, D. But I'm going to create a four beat pattern, and I want you to try to just follow along with me. So I might not go in sequence this time, okay? One, two, three, four. Let's try the singing, but slightly different. So this time, I will play a four beat pattern, and you will come up with four notes, but different from me, okay? So let's try it out. One, two, three, four. Okay, so here is how you can start creating a little song with your friend, and next, we're going to learn a tune. It's called Hot Cross Buns. First me, then you. It's very easy, okay? So, ready? Three, one, D. Three, one, D. A little different. Practice the second part just one more time, starting from a D. One, three, one, D. Great. So now, I'm going to play a slightly longer chunk, and then just follow along. Three, one, D. Three, one, D. Three, one, D. Can we try to do everything together, okay? So in four counts, one, two, ready, go. That is how you get started with using the left hand on the cello.