CELLO TECHNIQUE: Principles and Forms of Movement [Paperback]

Gerhard Mantel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1995

An analysis of the physics and physiology involved in playing the cello. For performers, teachers, and mature students.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Back in print is Mantel’s classic discussion of the principles underlying cello technique; from finger and hand movements and positions to sound scales and the psychological factors which influence the techniques of playing. Anticipate a very technical yet involving coverage serious players will find in-depth. -- Midwest Book Review

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (August 22, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253210054
• ISBN-13: 978-0253210050
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #858,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Its got many good ideas and exercises, February 8, 2000

By 

Mike Block (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CELLO TECHNIQUE: Principles and Forms of Movement (Paperback)

This book has many insights into the affect of one side of the body on the other. Many interesting physical principals regarding all aspects of playing are discussed thoroughly (sometimes a little too thoroughly). It gets pretty technical about physics and hard to understand in some chapters, and some ideas expressed in the book completely contradict some of the conclusions I've found through my own experimentation. But, the book does a great job of making you think and analyze more aspects of your playing than you never thought of before. Even though some of the book only deserves 3, or 2 stars, much of it is 5 star material, and I think that the good stuff has more leverage than the bad: I say it probably deserves 4 well earned stars.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful for beginners, June 20, 2002

By 

George (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CELLO TECHNIQUE: Principles and Forms of Movement (Paperback)

I'm a complete beginner on the 'cello. This book answered a lot of my questions about the mysteries of basic bow movement, finger placement, etc. Most importantly, it has a very substantial discussion of the physical mechanics of one's body when playing. Obviously, reading is no substitute for the experience of actual playing, but the book provides a very solid conceptual framework for understanding what is going on. I have a much better understanding of why certain movements produce good sound and others don't. The book doesn't quite get the full five-star rating because the language (from the German author in translation) is sometimes a little stilted for modern American readers. With only a second reading, though, it is much more clear. Highly recommended.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Review of cello technique, November 27, 2000

By 

Amanda Walker - See all my reviews

This review is from: CELLO TECHNIQUE: Principles and Forms of Movement (Paperback)

I found this book difficult to read. It seems that to me the difficulty is because the translation into the English language is not always smooth. I found that I had to read and reread some of the paragraphs because it was technical in it's thinking. Physics is interesting, but since I do not think about physics everyday, many times I felt like "what did it say"? I feel this is more of a textbook than a How To Book.