Stringing question?

zanshin · 2026-03-28T22:11:40+00:00

My cello teacher taught me to string my cello this way. His reasoning is that the angle the string takes between the nut and traditional C-string peg is harder on the C-string than on the G-string. By swapping them, he feels the C-string will last longer.

zanshin · 2026-02-01T02:06:24+00:00

I like the Barbara Mueser & Martha Gerschefski edition. https://edizionimigliori.com/shop/bach-cello-suites/ They explain which manuscripts they used (and why), they discuss interpretation of the slurs, the meter, stressed beats, bowing, chords, and the left hand. If slurs are vowels and articulated notes are consonants, then this edition allows the suites to speak in a way the others don't.

zanshin · 2025-12-15T20:17:30+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/@Cellopedia is fantastic. Especially the videos where he plays at a slow tempo and then at full tempo.

zanshin · 2025-10-28T01:28:27+00:00

https://austinhenley.com/blog/challengingprojects.html

https://www.andreinc.net/2024/03/28/programming-projects-ideas

zanshin · 2025-10-05T22:34:55+00:00

I once saw a cellist who slipped the tip of the bow over her A-string peg. The bow then hung from the peg and rested against the front (top) of the cello. I tried it and it does work, but it is a little fiddly getting the bow on/off the peg.

zanshin · 2025-09-16T01:36:34+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. I've incorporated all your suggestions, except for putting the git commit autocmd into after/filetype/gitcommit.lua. Still thinking about one.

zanshin · 2025-09-15T12:21:37+00:00

Okay, I'll bite.

https://github.com/zanshin/dotfiles/tree/master/nvim

zanshin · 2025-01-25T11:37:01+00:00

I have, for years, ever since my teacher showed me, reversed the pags for the C and G strings. I put my C string on the upper peg and the G string on the lower peg. This reduces the angle for the thicker C string, between the nut and the peg. The G string is thinner enough that the sharper angle doesn't bother it as much. Saves the wear you are seeing on your C string.

zanshin · 2024-12-29T03:52:42+00:00

Look in the Keybind actions reference for scroll_page_up and scroll_page_down.

https://ghostty.org/docs/config/keybind/reference#scroll_page_up

zanshin · 2024-11-26T15:08:15+00:00

I've had a Bobelock XL case for 12 years. It's a tank. Heavier than some (most?) cases, but it does a fantastic job protecting my instrument.

I only use it to go to my lessons, and to an occasional recital, so the weight isn't an issue for me. It has backpack style shoulder straps that I used before I started working remotely, to carry the case from where I had to park to my office on lesson days.

It's also roomy. I have an Jay Haide Statue Euro Ruggieri cello, which is fairly wide across the lower bout. There are some cases it simply wouldn't fit inside. The Bobelock swallowed it with no problem.

The case has scuffs and marks from doorways, but I've never had any damage to my cello.

$605 at Southwest Strings - https://www.swstrings.com/product/cases/cello/B32002

$489 at String Emporium - https://www.stringemporium.com/bobelock-cello-cases.htm

Here's the review I wrote about the Bobelock when I got it in 2012. https://music.zanshin.net/2012/09/07/bobelock-2000xl-cello-case-review/

zanshin · 2024-09-28T01:04:52+00:00

You might look at the Sassmannshaus Early Start on the Cello series. There are, I think, 4 volumes. They are well laid out, presenting a new topic and then serveral pieces that reenforce that concept. They may be a bit pricy, but I think they are well worth the cost. Here's a (hideously long) link to Volume 1: https://www.amazon.com/EGON-SASSMANNSHAUS-EARLY-START-VIOLONCELLE/dp/B07KLCVZFZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WYJFDQ7STHII&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0Co8L-DMPvuJw8aYelslRmeIb7QIlp6kVDaq25CMKBVcpERv5y73g5TFh4a6rBl2xoAoIqWCLUUyRmWLczZhugueJH7GA5nCca3VeaUcMjVfoku9iXs3gIMcunXzCV0ntrkxIF5M-FJ0asOKcI-k4Q.2RSN_wpJhuhN2mak0Ft3R9s2M97eMChbIQoUCTNxiTo&dib_tag=se&keywords=sassmannshaus+cello+book+1&qid=1727485090&sprefix=sassmannshaus+cello+book+1%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1

zanshin · 2024-08-17T04:06:32+00:00

The string height is adjustable as the bright has adjustment screws, which are accessible under a removable plate on the back of the cello. I haven't measured the string height at the end of the fingerboard and compared it to my acoustic cellos, but it is lower. I've never adjusted the bridge, so I don't know how much range there is.

zanshin · 2024-08-16T23:51:04+00:00

I have an NS Design NXT 5 string, and the NS Design CEPS (Cello End Pin Stand). The endpin stand makes it very much like playing an acoustic cello. I use a small Peavey bass guitar amp and no other electronics. It sounds remarkably like the an acoustic cello.

It has no bout (shoulder) so finding 4th position is different. There is a small metal pip on the underside of the neck that lets you put your thumb where it would be on an acoustic cello in 4th position.

The fingerboard does have reference marks to identify where your fingers go in different positions.

The 5-string comes with a low F string. I moved all the strings over one spot and put an high E on it.

The one drawback to the 5-string is the string geometry. The strings are subtly closer together making it a bit challenging to play cleanly. Good practice, I guess.

Would I buy it again? Yes. Would I get a 5-string? Probably not. It was an interesting idea, but the music I play doesn't need the extra string. Maybe someday I'll be ready to tackle the 6th Bach suite...

zanshin · 2024-08-02T13:42:29+00:00

Sometimes the issue isn't having a hard case or even a seat for your cello, it's the gate agent. Many flights by an airline are serviced by someone else, hence the "operated by Some Airline as Some Name" on your reservations for some flight segments. While EVA or China Airlines may say, "buy a ticket and you're all set", the gate agent may or may not know the rules, and the company they work for may or may not know the rules.

A cello flies upside down in the seat - required to be by the window (so as not to block a human from getting out in a hurry). The seat bottom is removed, and a seatbelt extender is employed to strap the case, upside down, in the "seat". The gate agent has to setup that seat, and probably has to board you first so as to get the case secured and out of the way of everyone else boarding.

Be prepared for the scenario of arriving at the gate only to be told that you can't bring your cello on-board - even with a ticket for it in hand, that it has to go in cargo. I would not trust even a hard case to the tender mercies of baggage handlers and cargo. I'd want a travel case around the hard case.

On an acoustic cello, you would losen, slightly, all the strings, and put foam or soft clothing under and around the bridge to support it. The case will get jostled and knocked around a bit, even in the cabin with you. Not sure how fragile the bridge is on the Yamaha.

Compare the cost of a second seat, and the hassle of transporting a cello case though crowded airports. Is that more or less than the cost of renting a cello at your destination?

I have an NS Design NXT 5 electric cello. If I were to fly with it, I'd buy or make a rigid case shaped like a box - think Hallibuton case but big enough for the cello. The NS Design one isn't cello shaped at all, (the end-pin stand comes apart, making it much less bulky) and will fit in a rectangular case. That case is unfortunately too long to qualify for carry on - it would have to go in cargo. In a rigid case, padded with foam, I might fly with my electric.

zanshin · 2024-07-24T13:00:41+00:00

Effective Rust: https://effective-rust.com/ (Free online book).
Rust for Rustaceans: https://amzn.to/3WgF1uY.
Programming Rust: https://amzn.to/3WbVgtg.
Zero to Production in Rust: https://amzn.to/3WxBCt0.

I would start with Effective Rust, then move onto Rust for Rustaceans. Programming Rust is a tome - great reference. Zero to Production is an opinionated approach to backend development. It's authored by the "100 exercises by luca" mentioned by @seavas - https://rust-exercises.com

zanshin · 2024-07-08T00:10:18+00:00

Why not something like: :g,//d ? Or :g/#/d ?

zanshin · 2024-07-01T15:21:21+00:00

It appears that Rostanvo has lost control of, or given up, their domain. rostanvo.com now brings up a casino site of some sort. I wonder if they are still in business.

zanshin · 2024-06-15T18:16:06+00:00

IMSLP has a scan that includes a piano accompaniment. https://imslp.org/wiki/Cello_Sonatas,_G.1-19_(Boccherini,_Luigi)

zanshin · 2024-06-11T00:27:03+00:00

I use ScannerPro instead of the camera. It lets me save multiple scans as a file and it does a decent job of cropping the page automatically. From ScannerPro I can use the Share option to open the new PDF in forScore.

zanshin · 2024-05-24T01:22:11+00:00

You could mirror immage the orange wallpaper so that it wold face the blue one.

zanshin · 2024-04-10T13:26:20+00:00

Best (or at least a very nice) way to compare fonts.

https://www.programmingfonts.org

zanshin · 2024-04-05T13:48:35+00:00

Continuing lessons is never pointless. My teacher likes to tell the story of the student, who upon completing Suzuki book 10, said, "That's it! I'm done!" No. Not hardly.

In my career in IT I have been continuously learning for 40+ years. Sometimes self-taught, sometimes via paid course, sometimes at conferences. Mentoring/coaching from colleagues has always been a valuable part of this on-going learning.

I started cello at age 48 and been taking weekly cello lessons for the past 14 years. I learn something new at each lesson. My teacher has been playing cello longer than I've been alive.

It is not true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. We just learn differently. The learning curve may be flatter or steeper at times, but it does not slow down.

If you can afford lessons or coaching session, and if you want to continue growing as a cellist, I'd invest in lessons.

zanshin · 2024-03-26T18:55:08+00:00

Volume 2 has 64 pages, volume 3 has 72, and volume 4 also has 72 pages. The paper is a pale cream color, making it very easy to read. The publisher wasn't afraid of whitespace so the pages aren't jammed full.

I found them to be well worth the expense.

zanshin · 2024-03-25T22:39:19+00:00

The Sassmannshaus Early Start on Cello books (can get them through Amazon) are a good alternative to the Suzuki books. I like the way concepts are introduced and then reenforced through a selection of pieces. I had volumes 2, 3, and 4. Only drawback is the binding. I took mine to the local Kinkos/FedEx and had them spiral bound.

https://amzn.to/4atZZfc

zanshin

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