My Grade 1 Cello Exam is 21st Aug and I am starting to panic!
My teacher says I'm fine but I have a problem with my fingers on the fingerboard. From the side I look like I
am squeezing my fingers to hard when I play. I know you are supposed to shape your hand into a "C" when playing but I can't seem to practise that when I start to play. My teacher says I need to correct it while it's still early now otherwise as I advance into later stages my fingers would not be flexible enoughto reach other notes. Even though my tone sounds okay but my fingers can't seem to relax. What should I do ?

Try to lift your thumb off the neck whilst playing - you should be able to do so without any problems. This might help you avoid gripping the neck, which is going to make things like extensions and shifting really hard later on.

Play a simple scale so you don't have to think about it and make little circles with your thumb on the back of the neck, this will force you to release the tension in your hand. You really don't need very much pressure to get the note to sound.

If that doesn't work, try playing a scale and after you place each finger, immediately reduce finger pressure by 50% to see if the note still sounds - you'll most likely find it will. Then it's just a case of finding that 'just enough' point where the note sounds clearly without you gripping the neck. It will come and your teacher is right, it's important to put it right now.

Good luck.

Allan

Alan's suggestion about lifting the thumb is a good one. Also, try putting your fingers on the soft bit of your right arm, and sink the fingers into the arm, then try gripping it with the thumb. Do this a couple of times - it will teach you the difference between the sensation of sinking into the fingerboard, and gripping the neck. Finally, make sure your elbow of your left arm is lifted a little when you play, so that your wrist is a little rounded. Ensure that the fingers are on the tips (not too close to the nail, but not on the flat of the finger).

I agree with the previous posters but would add - Don't Panic about your Grade 1. Your teacher is right about it being a problem for harder pieces but as long as you can manage your current grade 1 pieces and scales I wouldn't think the examiner will comment. Loads of Grade 1 candidates have all sorts tensions and strange postures. Obviously work on it but don't get stressed about sorting it out completely before your exam.

Best of Luck with the exam

This is very good advice indeed. Relax a little and focus on being as musical as you can for your grade one.

Incidentally Meerkat's advice about sinking your fingers into your arm to get the sensation of sinking into the fingerboard is excellent - it just helped me with a passage I was struggling with!

Good luck for your exam.

Allan