Slow down, speed up, move closer to the bridge, move towards the fingerboard...

You can on a daily basis explore how you shape the sound only on open strings by varying

1. the contact point between the bow and the string

2. the weight of your arm

3. and the speed of the bow.

Set your metronome to 60, 80 or 100 BPM and test how you can maintain a clear sound on 8 beats per bow, 3 beats per bow, and 12 beats per bow.

Be creative. Add crescendos and diminuendos. Use half bows, lower half and upper half. Repeat the same number of beats per bow, or change the number of beats with every bow.

I have another video on this topic, it’s called ‘Open Strings Meditation’.

For some bow-related exercises, see Christopher Bunting's 'Portfolio of Cello Exercises 1' which you can order from your preferred website or local music shop.