Sit Right, Sound Better: The 2-Minute Cello Setup That Saves You Months
If you’re starting cello (or you’re not 100% sure your basics are correct), this is the fastest way to fix the #1 problem beginners create: tension—in the back, neck, knees, and bow hand.
Here’s the essential setup in a nutshell:
The chair matters more than you think
Use a heavy, stable chair (no wobbling), no armrests, and sit so your knees are near a 90° angle. Don’t lean on the backrest—sit slightly forward, back straight but relaxed (not stiff, not slouched).
Place the cello so your body stays relaxed
Cello should touch the middle of your chest and sit around a 45° angle (adjust the endpin). Keep the neck of the cello close, but make sure the C-string peg is slightly behind your neck—otherwise you’ll twist your head and invite neck pain.
Knees: right knee touches (no squeezing), left knee slightly behind the cello (don’t clamp it from both sides).
A simple bow hold you can do immediately
Set the fingers so the middle finger meets the metal ring, thumb curved near the frog, fingers not squeezed together. Practice the quick “hold + release” exercise a few times until your hand feels free.
The easiest trick: don’t start by moving
Place the bow on the D string, between bridge and fingerboard, and just feel it resting there. It’s easier than holding the bow in the air—the bow’s weight helps.
If you want the exact angles, hand placement, and the step-by-step bow-hold exercise that makes this feel effortless, watch the full video—these details are where most beginners go wrong (and where the comfort and sound suddenly click).
