How to Do a First Finger Position on a Cello

Beautiful, deep tones resonate from the cello in the hands of a skilled player. When you're learning to play, one of the most important things to learn is finger positions on the strings. With a little practice, your fingers will quickly learn to memorize the positions on the strings. Here's how to do a first finger position on a cello.

Instructions

1. Position the thumb on the back of the neck of the cello, 2 inches below the peg box.

2. Place your middle finger on a string directly over the position of the thumb on the back. In terms of the musical tone, the sound produced when the second finger is in this position is one and a half steps or notes above the tone of the open string. For purposes of musical instruction, the middle finger is called the second finger.

3. Name the other fingers in corresponding fashion. The index finger is the first finger, the ring finger is the third finger, and the pinky is the fourth finger.

4. Put the first finger about an inch and a half closer to the peg box than the second finger. The tone produced by the first finger will be one step above the tone of the open string.

5. Set the third finger about an inch farther from the peg box than the second finger. The tone here will be two steps above an open string.

6. Use the fourth finger on the string about 2½ inches farther from the peg box than the second finger. This will create a tone three steps above an open string.

Tips & Warnings

• Because everyone's fingers vary slightly in size, you'll have to experiment a little on the exact finger positions for first finger position on the cello. If your musical ear needs some help, try an electronic tuner.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish