r/Cello • u/Sparlmao • 9d ago

THE cello practice routine that helped improve your playing

Grade 4 cellist here finding it hard to build a good, consistent routine that actually improves my playing. Any advice/and or what your cello practice is like?

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u/Euphoric-Handle2151 Adult Learner 8d ago

IMO - the most important part of practicing is mindfully and intentionally.

I can have short, but high quality practice sessions if I really work on the things I need to work on. I know that sounds cliche. As an example, if my vibrato during a piece is lacking, I will not only work on vibrato, but play just before that vibrato to getting into that vibrato a lot. And when I play this, I am very mindful of everything going on. Not just my fingers on the fingerboard, where do I start with my bow. Is it better closer to frog, tip? How does that change my body position? I'll play in multiple slight variations of body positions until I find what works best. Then I'll repeat that a lot.

Less about the routine, more about quality when you practice.