Twinkle Variation C - DOWN little, UP little
Alternating bowings are very common in string repertoire. The trick is to do the same motion in two different parts of the bow. At the start, everything in us wants to do the same motion in the same spot. Learning to alternate the location of the sixteenth notes in this variation makes the motion symmetrical and easy to repeat as long as necessary.
Before you start, find the balance point of the bow. That is where the motion begins. If you are having trouble with the bowing or keep getting somehow backwards, review the lesson on isolating the right hand for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Notice in the video how the short notes happen on alternate sides of the bow. The key is to take a BIG down bow to start. If you don’t take a big down bow to start then there is no where to go from there. Remember “DOWN little UP little.”
Younger cellists generally use a bow stroke that comes primarily from the shoulder for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variation C. Adolescent and adult cellists should attempt to do the sixteenth notes that occur after each big down bow in the middle of the bow, isolating the motion to the elbow and forearm. Bowing from the elbow rather than the shoulder makes for a less-taxing, quicker bow stroke. The sooner we can help you be comfortable in all sectors of the bow the better!
Pro Tip
SLOW and STEADY wins the race! If you can do the variation but struggle to keep the bow from getting backwards or alternating reliably, then just slow it down! Go to the YouTube menu (gear or three dots) and chose a slower playback speed. This works on all the videos!
As we learn Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the cello, let’s make sure that your posture is setting you up for success down the road. Here is a handy posture checklist:
- Posture – feet flat on the floor, cello between your knees, touching at your sternum, sitting straight up, shoulders relaxed, elbow out like a kickstand, straight EWP (elbow-wrist-pinkie)
- Left hand – thumb and fingers bent (making a “C”), fingers arched and contacting the string with the pad of the fingertip, thumb bent and under 2nd finger
- Bow path – bow travels straight across the string (t-bow), midway between the fingerboard and the bridge (forte-freeway)
- Bow hand – thumb slightly bent, index finger touching the stick between the first and second knuckle, hand pronated, fingers slightly apart — not overly spread or bunched together
- Keep fingers down as you play – as you ascend the string don’t lift the finger you just played when you place the new finger. As you descend place all 4 fingers and then peel off the fingers one by one.
- Check intonation – verify your intonation. Play with the video, use a tuner, watch your hand in a mirror to check that you are on the tapes. Don’t assume, verify.