"Lifting" the Fingers off the Strings 

As the adage goes, "there's a technique for everything." While it may not be the first technique that comes to mind while learning the cello, how you lift your fingers off the strings plays a crucial role in maintaining a relaxed left-hand technique.
 

Fingers Over the Notes

It's very common to hear cello teachers encouraging their students to always keep their fingers over the notes. In this approach, you lift your fingers directly above the notes, keep them in position, and simply drop them back down. This can be especially helpful for beginning students, but as one progresses, it becomes less necessary. I'm not saying there is no place for keeping your fingers over the notes in advanced playing. There are many times this is necessary, such as returning to a finger soon after leaving it, but this need not be a hard and fast rule.
 

The Concept of Recoil

Instead of "lifting" the fingers, I think of the motion as a "recoil." This technique is very similar to violin technique. It's much easier to demonstrate than describe, so I encourage you to watch the video. Essentially, as the fingers relax, they will flex (curve) back to their neutral position away from the string. Again, this only works if the music provides you with enough time to do this.

Neutral Position of the Left Hand

To understand "recoiling,” hold your hand in the air in an approximate playing position. Now, completely relax your fingers and notice how they recede to their neutral position - one in which the fingers flex (curve) and pull away from the string. This receding motion is what we will substitute for lifting the fingers.

Advantages

The advantage of this technique is that it requires virtually no effort. Instead of lifting your fingers, which can feel tight and require extra effort, you can simply relax them. As you relax your fingers they will recoil or flex (curve) away from the strings into a more neutral position without effort. Moreover, neutral positions require less energy to maintain and thereby prevent a buildup of tension. This is especially helpful during vibrato.

Practicing Left-Hand Pizzicato

To practice this technique, try left hand pizzicato.
 

• Play a C# with your 3rd finger on the A string while plucking with the 4th finger.
• Play a C with your 2nd finger while plucking with your 4th finger.
• Play a B with your 1st finger while plucking your 2nd finger on the A string.
• Pluck open A with your 1st finger.

By practicing left hand pizzicato your fingers will perform the recoiling motion. However, we typically avoid excessive left hand pizzicato while playing as it would involve too much extra work. Instead, aim for a gentle "petting" or brushing of the string by the fingers - not a full-blown left-hand pizzicato but a left-hand "PET-a-cato", as I like to call it. It's like your fingers are simply petting the string. This will happen naturally if your fingers just fall back to their neutral position.
 

Conclusion

Developing a technique of "lifting" the fingers can significantly reduce tension in the left hand. This often-overlooked aspect of cello technique can make a substantial difference in your overall playing comfort and efficiency.

Key Takeaways

• Instead of lifting your fingers try allowing them to recoil, recede, pull back, flex, curve into their neutral positions.
• Allowing them into their neutral positions means they will not be over their respective notes within the position.
• This technique only works if the music permits sufficient time to do this.
• Since it takes less effort to maintain a hand position with the fingers in their neutral positions, it helps prevent tension build up.
• This technique is especially helpful for vibrato, which requires a relaxed left-hand and arm.

S.D.G.

Authored by Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University.