strings Archives

Avoiding Cello Flightmares

I just completed a four-city recital and masterclass tour of Brazil, which included one car trip, three domestic flights, and one round-trip international flight. Usually when I travel for concerts, I face the frustration and complexity we all enjoy of bringing the cello onboard, extra ticket gripped firmly in hand. The slightly unusual aspect of this recent tour was that I used borrowed cellos for each concert. I left my own instrument at home for several reasons. Although my room and board was generously covered in each city, most of my flights were not, and I didn't want to pay close to $1k for the extra plane tickets. I didn't want either the physical hassle of carrying it around, nor the emotional/mental hassle from airport personnel in a country I [...]

By Natasha Farney|2019-03-04T03:12:22-05:00December 5th, 2013|Categories: Cello Travel|Tags: improvement, strings, Instruments, trips, borrowed instruments, ease of body and mind, flightmares, great musicians, travel stress, flying, flying with a cello|

About Those New Year’s Bow Resolutions…. — by Wayne Burak

New Year’s resolutions get significant attention right about now! Whether the subject is your living space, personal finance, diet, or exercise, every topic seems to be on the table. But what about the personal needs of your favorite bow—you know, the one that plays beside you in all of your performances and rehearsals? The one you have promised your eternal love and gratitude to, if it helps you get through the nearly impossible piece or gig? Hmm, did I think that, you ask? Bows have long memories, and yes at some point, you did promise. That is why your bow demands attention now! Think of it like dinner, a movie, and a new outfit for your bow. But before we talk more of bows, let’s assume that you have already handled [...]

By Wayne Burak|2017-10-30T05:16:53-04:00January 21st, 2013|Categories: Luthiers, Playing Healthy, Technology|Tags: latches, bow grip, New Year's resolutions, pernambuco, bow rehair, organization of sheet music, strings, Brazilwood, pearl eye, Wayne, cello bow, bow, rock stops, organization, cello strings, tension, rosin, computer back up, cello, sheet music, attention, computers, cellobello, warp, cello cases, fresh bow rehair, music, humidity, frog position, frog, instrument cases, Burak, accessories|

Do You Need a New Angle on Your Playing? — by Wayne Burak

One of the most tricky cello setup issues to self diagnose is the presentation of neck angle fatigue. Symptoms: You have to adjust your bow stroke to avoid hitting c bout edges.. The cello sound core is lost because your neck angle has dropped over time and is creating marginally successful practice days and challenging performances.. Nasal sounds are finding a home inside your cello...real clarity and power are only a misty concept... A single note repeatedly refuses to cooperate... A major attack simply evaporates without an actual sound... Your friends start to avoid you... You have thoughts of switching to viola... Help: Seeing things from a different perspective can help your playing turn a corner. If your instrument was made recently, say in the last decade or two, (or maybe even [...]

By Wayne Burak|2021-09-05T23:59:30-04:00January 19th, 2012|Categories: Luthiers, Technology|Tags: alterations, Burak, bridge, cello setup, changes, fingerboard, humidity, neck angle, strings, Wayne, cello, woodworking, cellobello, acoustics, performance, Adjustments|

Know Your Cello — by Wayne Burak

It’s far enough in the past that I can’t remember the exact day it happened. But I do remember the warning signs—the slightly racing pulse, the sweaty hands and labored breathing—you know, the need to pick up a woodworking plane, some files, chisels and fabricate a cello bridge. I think I had been through several days of lectures on isorhythmic motet, compliments of Eastman music history, when one day my mind drifted into a world of cello parts, setups, fingerboards, tops, backs, ribs, and the most delectable feature – varnish. Really now, what is more enticing to look at than the iridescent play of colors jumping off of the cello back in the late afternoon sun in the Eastman Annex practice rooms? It’s simply enough right there to take you [...]

By Wayne Burak|2017-07-13T03:34:51-04:00March 21st, 2011|Categories: Luthiers, Technology|Tags: pernambuco, bows, plane, Burak, stage, cello bridge, strings, cello setup, varnish, change, Wayne, endpin, woodworking, fingerboard, history, trends, neck angle|