I am a beginner cellist, and recently I have noticed that my right hand starts to ache after just a few minutes of holding the bow. This is irritating to me because it cuts my practice sessions short and makes playing cello less fun. What am I doing wrong?
If you're beginning as a cellist, one common source of pain in your right arm while practicing could be overuse or misuse of your fingers. Try some stretches to loosen up your hands and fingers before starting to play:
1 - Start by pressing your forefingers together while keeping your other fingers extended straight out in front of you.
2 - Extend your middle finger slightly away from your thumb towards the floor, then switch to your pinky finger.
3 - Clasp your little finger tightly against your palm while spreading your ring finger and index finger wide apart on top of it.
4 - Rotate your wrist clockwise until your little finger is pointing toward the ceiling, then reverse the movement back counterclockwise.
5 - Stretching can also help prevent injury by reducing tension and swelling in your hands and fingers. You may want to do this daily for at least 5-10 minutes. If your discomfort persists despite these precautions, consult an orthopedic specialist or physiatrist who can perform further testing and determine if there's any underlying condition causing your symptoms.