This video above is part of a long chat I recently had with Els, violist, viola d’amore and now da spalla player. Last June she acquired one of my Violoncello da Spalla, and this call was part a trouble-shooting talk (I already published a small clip about straightening the bridge) and a catching-up on how things were going after 6 months, and at the eve of her first concert with the Violoncello da Spalla.
After a brief introduction, Els tells us how she first got in touch with the Violoncello da Spalla through baroque cellist Hervé Douchy, and how later she got in touch with us. I then ask her about the first reactions she got and we discuss the role of the spalla as a continuo. She shares with us her practicing routine, her little obsession with playing fast spiccato notes (and her tricks to achieve that), and how everything came out easier at her first rehearsal with the group. Her first concert will be in an ensemble formed by viola d’amore, Violoncello da Spalla and theorbo. We discuss the repertoire she is working on and her strings set up, plus other technique tricks she’s practicing.
We then indulged in a long conversation about Sergey Malov, the strings he uses (I had a video coming from him on my WhatsApp just the day before) and the fantastic experience of attending one of his concerts. Finally, back to troubleshooting again, we discussed wolf notes: exercises to get rid of them, tips to avoid them while playing and how to get rid of them forever. But remember: all good instruments have wolf notes!!
We’ll be exhibiting in London again! On February 8th, in Kings Place, London, we’ll be exhibiting at the British Violin Makers Association Makers Day. Book your flight now and take the opportunity to try a Violoncello da Spalla, the special treat of a holiday in one of the most interesting towns in the world, rich in history and fabulous museums.
Are you a luthier interested in making a Violoncello da Spalla?
In the archive of this newsletter I documented the whole process, sharing measures and templates. You can check the index and some posts at this link, and if you subscribe to a paid plan, you have instant access to all posts and a private chat where you can ask me any question.
