How to Practice the Staccato Technique for the Cello

Playing staccato literally means playing "separate." Staccato technique usually describes short notes separated by brief pauses, and it can be applied to any instrument, including the cello. On the cello, staccato technique is accomplished through the bow hand, where you keep the bow on the string and briefly pause between each note. Practice playing staccato on the cello using the following exercises.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make sure you are comfortable with your cello bow hold. You should be able to play separated and slurred notes as well as short, fast notes and long, slow notes before moving on staccato technique.

2. Place your bow on any string near the balance point. Try to set the bow so that you can wiggle the string without the bow actually moving across the string.

3. Release the tension of the bow and draw it quickly across the string. Stop the bow and repeat the exercise, going the opposite direction. This is the set and release you want for a clean staccato.

4. Set a metronome to a moderate speed and practice bowing an open string the above way in a set tempo. Bow a quarter note, rest for a quarter beat, bow another quarter note in the opposite direction and then rest for a quarter note. Gradually increase the speed of the metronome, but always make sure to stop between each change of bow direction.

5. Take out the beat of rest, but continue pausing between each change of bow.

6. Start applying this staccato bowing to simple scales and exercises, focusing on keeping proper technique, including getting the "click" or "grab" at the beginning of each note.

7. Select sheet music that incorporates sections of staccato technique, indicated by a moderate-to-moderately fast tempo and dots beneath or above each note.

Tips & Warnings

• The balance point of the bow is a good place to begin practicing staccato technique. Eventually, you will want to practice playing staccato using different parts of the bow and different amounts of bow.
• As soon as you feel like you are losing control of your bow stroke, slow down and concentrate on playing a very controlled, clean staccato.
• The bow hair should remain in contact with the string in a true staccato stroke. As soon as the bow loses contact with the string at any point in the stroke, it becomes a different technique.