Don't Fret Finger Position Markers for Cello 4/4

I’m an adult beginning cello student, and my teacher put masking tape strips to show placement, but didn’t put them accurately, which has caused untold frustration because I wasn’t sure if it was the tape placement that was wrong or the strings just needed tuned. After several different days practicing, and making sure the cello was perfectly tuned, it still wasn’t sounding correct pitch when I placed my fingers where he had put the tapes. As a musician with experience in other instruments, but unsure of whether it was a true issue with the tape location or just a newbie to the instrument not realizing it needed better tuning, this is unacceptable because I cannot stand for the pitch to not be exact. I came across these and decided to try them, but my teacher brushed them off because he wasn’t familiar with them. After another day of practicing not being enjoyable because I was trying to play using the tapes, I finally had enough and took the masking tape off and put this on. What a difference!!!! Places marked on the adhesive guide line up EXACTLY in the right spot on the fingerboard! Now I can play, knowing my instrument is tuned properly, and seeing where to correctly place my fingers! I wish I had just used this from the outset. It would’ve spared a lot of frustration and unhappiness with the pitches being just slightly off because of incorrectly placed tapes...

Originally I had 3 strips of some type of tape marking frets for my cello that a teacher applied for me, but now that I play in all positions those few markers were not as helpful and I took them off feeling I should be able to use my ears to find the right notes by now anyway...this slowed down my practice considerably. These stickers are great, they help me sight-read so much better. Also, I had to point out, my cello was already in tune and given what a pain it is to tune them, I was able to apply this sticker without loosening the strings or touching the bridge which I didn't measure anyway because I wasn't going to move it either way. Works perfectly. It isn't on absolutely perfectly straight (hence I have to place my fingers just slightly above the markers on the high end), but it can be done, and is quite accurate according to my electric tuner. It looks kind of like the protective film that comes on touchscreen devices, that begs to be pulled off, there are small bits of trapped air so it doesn't look great but I probably should have cleaned the neck better before I put it on so my bad, but it does the job and does not seem to have affected the sound at all (except in that I sound better over-all since I can hit the note right on without sliding around listening for it).

So this is a sticker that is applied to the fingerboard of the cello so that beginners can have a visual aid for their finger placement. It covers both the length and width of the fingerboard ensuring a nice solid bond that will not budge no matter how much you play. It will NOT damage, nor alter your instrument or playing style, tone quality, etc.I could understand why the other reviewer said its not easy to install on an acoustic cello given that you should not loosen all strings for fear off dropping the soundpost...but If you have an electric cello its quite simple, just peel and stick. Besides that its a great little tool. It sticks on very well and does not feel any different. It comes off a little messy but a small amount of soapy water on cloth, its will look like it never was there. Its a very useful alternative to the classic tape which may feel weird due to the raised edges of the tape. It also applies on clear with just the color-coded bands visible. You only have to buy one and it will last you a very long time, just make sure you line up the sticker correctly and pay attention to the size you order. Its obvious but I made the silly mistake with my violin and bought a 3/4 size for my 4/4 instrument...I highly recommend this product and I am sure you will love it!

I am brand new to the Cello and as an adult learner, I find this marker system to be a fantastic asset. Putting it on was not as difficult as I thought it would be. I did not loosen any strings or move the bridge at all. It took some dinking around with it a little, but it was on and straight in less than 5 minutes. It helped that I started by removing the back paper, cutting it in half and putting in back on the sticky part. Then when I had the marker in place on the cello, I was able to remove one half of the back at a time to make sure it stayed in alignment and bubble free.

I am an adult learner who augments self study with a once a month session with an instructor. Every cello is different, so this is a general guide rather than a precise map of positions on the fingerboard. For instance, on my instrument, second position is just above the corresponding line, but fourth position is almost a finger space below the corresponding line. I find this guide very useful in my efforts to look at my fingerboard less- I practice in front of a mirror so I can still see where to place my hand without looking at the neck. This guide also is more visually appealing than the sloppy strips of tape that my instructor uses. I've removed and reinstalled the guide several times with no problem. Overall I find it very useful.

I really like this product and they’re accurate on my cello. I have a very good quality beginner cello by Eastman and I use very high quality strings (Jargar and Larsen). I read some complaints that it’s not accurate tuning. First, you have to remove strings to put it on, you can’t just slide it up the fingerboard, and so it’s a careful process. Also, I’m sure the better the quality cello and strings the more accurate the sound. What I like about this product is it’s a great way to practice finding the same note on different strings, in different shifting positions, so that it will make it easier to play the advanced pieces where it makes more sense to play a note in a higher position.