Help with thumb position (cellists help me out here please!)?

Question

I'm just starting the Boccherini Concerto and I'm having trouble with the thumb position section (like on the 2nd and 3rd page, Gruetzmacher edit.). It seems to go all squeaky on me when I try to play it. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I haven't done much with thumb position in a long time ('been working on the Bach suites for a while...). And I'm not quite sure how to get the leverage to press down hard enough. Does anyone have any tips on how to get a good sound when playing with your thumb?

Answer 1

Try lowering your bow.  Often squeaks happen when a player keeps their bow in the same spot when playing higher notes.  

About leverage and strength - is your cello set up properly?  Assuming your bridge isn't too high, find some thumb position etudes and keep practicing.  Strength will come like it does for any other muscles.  You will develop it in time.  I'm sorry I can't tell you what etudes, I'm a bass player.  But the technique is similar enough I thought I would answer you.

Are you keeping your fingers round?  Make sure your nails are short enough that you are playing on your fingertips.