Why does everyone want to squeeze their left thumb when starting out on the cello?
Some say it's because we use our opposable thumbs all the time, so it's something like a reflex.
Some say it's to get the fingers more into the string by clamping down.
Whatever the reason is, it slows us down, and we want to cut it out ASAP. Using THE CELLO SANDWICH uses the heaviness of the arm, shoulder, and back, so you don't need to feel the squeeze.
Neil Fong Gilfillan is a cello teacher in Frisco, Texas. With Rachel Samson on viola and violin, they operate Chili Dog Strings, the only string studio in Frisco named after a dog.