Make music on Violoncello da Spalla without a worry in the world!
Yutaka Kaga shares with us his set up of modern accessories
Yutaka, you were probably the first or among the first to order a cello da Spalla in Japan. How did you come in touch with this instrument?
In 2011 or 2012 I watched YouTube S. Malov playing Bach cello suite no.6 on a Violoncello da Spalla, I was so amazed and I wanted to play it. I was looking for da Spalla makers for few years.
At first I asked to D. Badiarov how to get one. At that time he already had so many clients, so it was taking too much time and exceeded my budget. Also, I wanted to play a Japanese maker's instrument. Then he strongly recommend Takumi and introduced him to me. Finally I got in touch with Takumi. He was just opening his new atelier. I met him face to face for the first time at Daniela’s gut string seminar in Tokyo 2018.
I have studied modern violin but I am not a professional musician. The Violoncello da Spalla is just for passion and by self study.
What were, if any, the obstacles preventing you from ordering one?
There was no Violoncello da Spalla available to try. I could not decide to order before trying one. After I could finally try one from Takumi, I decided to order because I felt and noticed that I could play with some practice.
When I tried on VDS at first, it was with gut string. I felt it so difficult to get used to play them! The second time it was with Thomastik synthetic core. It was easier than gut to product sound.
Any Ensembles I'm playing are all modern instruments, so I preferred the synthetic core.
What were your impressions when you received it?
I struggled with the instrument and practiced to find a good sound production for a few months. But, when I played Bach Cello suite, I was so delighted. This is what I love most: playing Bach cello suite on original key and tune.
I also found that I enjoy playing Basso continuo in Ensemble. And I can play from Baroque music to Haydn, and Boccherini cello concerts and solo pieces. Another thing is that the bass sound heals and calms down mentally.
Would you recommend it to other players and why?
Yes! I always recommend it to others. With a Spalla, any Violinists/Violists can play Bach cello suites on Original tune. But cellists cannot play Bach sonata and partitas in original tunes.. ;)
I first noticed you because you have been so active in finding accessories useful for a Spalla. Would you share with us your setup?
Of course! Here I introduce the VDS accessories which I use.
(Disclaimer: none of us is taking any money to share this links)
1.Mutes
This “MY MUTE” is the most effective in reducing the volume of sound of Violoncello da Spalla.
https://www.hosco.co.jp/en/accessories/mm-c.html
Takumi Made a leather mute for me which is light and have good sound quality. And, it doesn’t damage the instrument.
2. Adjuster
I think e string, being steel, sometimes is hard to tune exactly. So I use the Wittner violin adjuster Model No.901.
https://wittner-gmbh.de/wittner_string_adjusters_violin.html
3. Shoulder rest:
Viva la musica diamond for Viola with high leg.
I am actually using the shoulder rest as a Chest rest on VDS.
It makes me stable holding the instrument without movements or having to adjust.
Viva la musica diamond’s leg is like spring. So flexible for VDS.
This is the most influential accessory for me. My VDS playing technic dramatically improved since I used it. Left hand high position and shifting become easy. With Chest rest, the strap doesn’t need to go through my left shoulder.
I don’t like the strap through my shoulder because I feel as if my body is fastened.
I call it “Bento seller” strap, as in the following image!
My chest is thin, so this helps to keep good space between my chest and VDS.
And with chest rest, VDS become little bit modernized in sound. For the right hand, it gets much easier to cross through the strings!
Even using the chest rest, the instrument is not in a too flat position. I can keep natural posture.
I’d like to emphasize that Violoncello da Spalla is so natural for our body in the point of posture than Violin! No need to bend the left arm and hand!
I take in high consideration the awareness of playing music maintaining healthy, thanks to Alexander Technique. In my case, playing without the chest rest, I need to twist more my hand and wrist, which is not bringing any good!
4.Others
/Music sheet bag.AB-301 by MAC corporation in Japan.
It is very useful and comfortable for my back.
http://www.maccorp.co.jp/string/carbonmac/carbon_mac.html#scorebag
/Instrument stand AROMA AGS-01
It is very compact.
http://www.aromamusic.cn/en/products-30-3.html
I wish to thank Yutaka Kaga for this treasure of suggestions! And, as someone who fall in love at first sight with those cute cello style viola case, used it enthusiastically for years pretending not to notice those “stigmates” caused by the feet of the case, one for the cervix, one for each scapula, and one for each kidney, I am particularly grateful for bringing to my attention how the music sheet bag can alleviate this!
News from da Spalla world
The Facebook surfer may well have noticed a curious post in which a Spalla was leading a cello quartet, playing for horses... well, I am grateful for this possibility to share with you this week another joyful da Spalla story!
From Daniel S Lee, New York City:
I have been a violinist for all my life. More recently, I am a baroque violinist. But, now I am also a cellist—a cellist da spalla! It is so wonderful to expand my repertoire and get into the world of cello playing. Last Friday, I played in a cello quartet for the first time. It was so exciting to join my cellist colleagues who I used to play together only in many octaves apart. It was also their first time playing with the violoncello da spalla. Everyone was fascinated by its unique tone color and ability to project over three other much bigger violoncelli (da gamba).
This event was also unique in its own way. We did not play for a human audience, but for horses (and of course, their trainers). Live music was provided so the horses could practice walking and running...in rhythm! How wonderful to get to share live music with non-human creatures! It was a great way to get back into playing live music after a long isolation caused by COVID-19. I am so grateful for the vaccines and those who developed them. Let’s hope they become more widely available to everyone!
Updates from our workshop
This week I simply drove a lot, returning home to get my vaccine shot and follow some other stuff, but rushing back to my parents’ because my father was dismissed from hospital sooner than expected. All for the best, but my week was rather messy and not really productive. Same for Alessandro whom followed and helped me. At least, he is going on with a gorgeous make up for his violin!
Featured video of the week
In this video you can appreciate in action all that we discussed about: Yutaka Kaga is playing second cello in this Vivaldi Concerto RV351, and his little cello is defending itself really well even in this unusual situation, being squeezed between a “standard” first solo cello and another “standard” continuo!
