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Chords on the cello are rarely just about hitting multiple strings at once.
Even in passages that look melodic on the page, harmony is always present beneath the surface. In this lesson segment, cellist Natalie Clein reframes how we listen to and shape chords, starting with the opening of Bach’s First Cello Suite.
Rather than aiming for equal weight, she encourages players to make musical decisions about balance.
Sometimes one note carries 80% of the sound while another supports it. This flexibility helps the harmony speak clearly and keeps the line moving forward.
The lesson also connects sound to motion.
An elliptical bow path guided by the fingers and arm allows resonance to unfold naturally across the strings. It’s a perspective that travels from Baroque repertoire through Haydn, Elgar, and into the 20th century, offering a more expressive and historically aware approach to chordal playing.
Dive into the accompanying PDF workbook to learn more.
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