I have been learning cello for almost 5 months now and have signed up for Grade 1 exam this year.
I am having fun and totally addicted to playing cello but I am starting to have some fears taking the exams.
I felt confident at first but my teacher says I have to work on my bowing techniques. I dunno why but I always make screeching sounds whenever I play the G or C strings and have fingering difficulties with any notes on both strings. How do I improve on my bowing ? This is starting to get to me and I'm worried that I will not ever get it right.

The fact that you are now worrying makes the situation self-perpetuating. Stop worrying and concentrate on improving your bowing. The C and G strings need quite a bit of pressure with the bow to draw a good tone from them. Make sure you have enough rosin on your bow before playing and then make sure that you don't let the bow hair skim across the strings - which is what cause a harmonic or a screech.

You haven't described the fingering difficulties, but if the problem is faulty intonation then this is not abnormal for a beginner. Hear the note in your head before you play it as this will help you play in tune. If the fingering difficulties are that you are struggling to physically reach the notes, then raise this issue with your teacher - is the instrument too big, or is the neck too thick for your hand??

Teachers tend to be right about these things. Here's an idea for practicing bowing. I do this 3 times daily.

You should start each practice by bowing open strings for 5 minutes. Do 32 notes on each string, going from the lowest to highest to lowest again. Do that 3 times. Then repeat halving the number of notes each time until you get to 1. Then repeat the whole thing, but start with an up bow It's really hard for me still, and I have to think about things like keeping my bow perfectly straight, good posture, pressure on the bow, where the bow is in relation to the bridge/fingerboard. Once I am happy with the sound I am making and have finished the bowing exercises I mentioned, I would go onto 1 octave scales but only thinking about bowing and pressing your fingers down hard enough. Only once this is sounding good should you go on to piece.

Hope this is of some use.

I can't seem to produce a nice and smooth note when it comes to any note on these 2 strings. Can't
seem to press down firmly. I think it may be due to my smaller hands and I'm using a regular adult sized cello. Do you think I can overcome this problem with lots of practice ? I practise almost everyday and I know
I am determined.

Is your bridge height OK?

Liz

The bridge height seems okay I guess.. Could it be the bow because I can't seem to produce
a rich sound when I play any note on these 2 strings

Has anyone (eg your teacher) actually checked the bridge height? The fact that you can't get your fingers to press down firmly suggests that the bridge could be too high. Or are your nails too long perhaps?

Liz