This is for you who are just starting out with your cello playing, or for you who enjoy revisiting the open strings.

What you need to know before playing this exercise:

• how to hold your bow

• the names of the strings

• the music notation for the open strings

• the music notation for whole-notes, half-notes and quarter-notes

When I recorded this video I had my metronome set to 60 bpm. First I go through the open strings part. Then, I play in a duo with you to add some harmonic color :)

Set your metronome to 40, 60, 80 or 100 bpm and see how you need to adjust the bow speed to fit the different tempos. This exercise is all about process. Observe:

• how it feels to play closer to the frog or closer to the tip of the bow

• how it feels to play closer to the bridge or to the fingerboard

• how it feels to play with a light or a heavy bow arm

• how it feels to play quieter or louder in volume

• how you are breathing while playing

You can download the sheet music here.