Cello
The cello is the tenor voice in the string section. It can play an octave lower than the viola and, as with the other Strings, the cello section sits two at a desk. There are usually between eight and twelve cellos in a symphony orchestra. Perhaps more than any other instrument the cello sound can create a melancholy mood. Its deep tenor voice can be further enhanced by a broad vibrato which on other instruments might sound ridiculous. With its particularly wide range and powerful sound it can one minute be playing a bass line and the next a melody that is high enough for the rest of the orchestra to move underneath.
As with all bowed string instruments, the crucial stages of developing a solid technique start from day one. From the correct seating position and bow hold, to sound production and dynamics, these are elements that must be attended to correctly.
But fear not. Cello training at the Musikon is done under the watchful eye of Mariska van der Merwe. A cellist who has played in various orchestras and ensembles.
Our Cello Faculty
