I'm confused! Another cellist was watching me play recently and pointed out that my little finger is straight when I'm holding the bow. I have always had a "hang-up" about sautille and richochet bowing, feeling that I could never control my bow as well as I would like and found that when I bent my little finger, it seemed to be easier to control the bow. However in bending my little finger, my wrist is now more horizontal with the rest of my hand and horror of horrors my thumb is now bending inwards. I've had a look at some pictures of bow holds and some little fingers do seem to be straight, but not all of them.

Does anyone have a definitive answer or is it subjective?

Your little finger should be bent, really, to the same extent as your other fingers. Let your hand go utterly floppy and lift it from the wrist - that's the shape your hand should be.
Some cellists (Isserlis, for instance) seem to bow with almost straight fingers - but I think that's one of those things you can only do well with amazing technique.
My tuppence only...

Thanks cellocase. I think that's what I needed to hear. I haven't got amazing technique so I'll just have to get into the habit of bending that little finger and try to ensure my thumb doesn't bend the wrong way! A bit daunting to change my bow hold after 30 years but hey, anything to improve!

Very belated congratulations on your fantastic cello diploma results by the way. For some unknown reason I couldn't sign onto the forums for months so it was frustrating to read about your results and not be able to congratulate you. What are you doing cello wise at the moment?

Just make sure your hand is relaxed at all times! As a wise cellist told me, if you tense the little finger to keep itbent, you're just superimposing one problem on top of another.

Can you see a teacher about your bowhold? I wouldn't advise trying to change it without seeing a professional to check you're doing the right thing!

Thanks for the congratulations! At the moment, I'm doing a couple of music courses and kind-of considering LRSM in a very sideways not-really-looking kind of fashion.... I'm also trying to look at uni/conservetoire....I think I'm leaning towards applying to uni and taking a postgrad afterwards though.
What are you up to?

I would also agree that your little finger should be bent only to the extent of the rest of your hand. I know what you mean about thumbs and bending/not. When I'm really tense I play with a completely straight thumb... But I would definitely say that your little finger shouldn't be more bent than any of your other fingers, but then again my opinion is hardly definitive...Good luck anyway!

Yes, I'll ask my teacher to have a look at it but it won't be until the end of September. What you have told me has confirmed what the other cellist said so I can at least have a think about it all before then.

I'm having lessons again after about a year's break but only about once a month. Just really ploughing through as much repertoire as I can and doing loads of chamber music, orchestral etc. Basically just enjoying playing but like you, the LRSM is in my mind but I think as a far of goal at some point in the future!!

Hi guys - remember me (!) Thought I'd put my twopenn'th in for what it's worth - would definitely agree with everyone else about the little finger not wanting to be straight. However, I sympathise with you as it's very hard isn't it to change a habit which you have had (and manged to play well with) for so many years. I think I am in the same position as I know my thumb is "too straight". I'm certainly no expert but I do wonder whether, if the overall picture is good and a player is able to play this way and still be free in their action then there might be the risk of causing more tensions by "trying hard" to maintain this new "correct" way. I don't know. I have been able to change it to an extent when I am playing exercises etc or something easy, but when the going gets tough some kind of survival mechanism sets in and I notice that it's straight again. Very frustrating but I guess it's only ever going to be a gradual thing.

Congrats to you both for your cello Dips - I am so pleased for you. Don't know if you remember but I was planning to do mine at around the same time but I got some kind of wrist/elbow injury (left hand though so nothing to do with my straight thumb!) while (over) practising for a concerto (Elgar). Very frustrating but shows, I guess, what can happen if small tensions are built upon over long periods. I'm having Alexander lessons with my cello and trying to relearn my whole sitting position, attitude, everything really. Very interesting, though I won't give myself any deadlines as I have to take it at its own pace I guess.

Nice to be back on the forums again!