Welcome to The Worship Cellist—a channel helping cellists break free from traditional boundaries and thrive in modern musical settings like contemporary worship teams, rock bands, and other non-classical environments. Whether you want to refine your technique, master chord-chart reading, develop improvisation skills, explore electric setups, or step into the recording studio, you’ll find practical tools to elevate your playing.
While the focus is worship contexts, these videos are valuable for cellists in any style. My approach is shaped by my academic work as a cello professor—examining assumptions in traditional pedagogy—by years of playing regularly on worship teams, and by my experience as a studio/session cellist. Together, these perspectives inform a fresh, modern approach to cello pedagogy.
Most importantly, this is a community. Ask questions and request topics as we push the boundaries of the cello together.
David Feldman, Cello Professor
Liberty University School of Music
The Worship Cellist
Excited to try a new video format today! It’s called ‘In the Room,’ and it follows me through the learning process—from the first read of a new worship song from a chord chart for last week’s Palm Sunday services. It’s a more behind-the-scenes look, with the Root Map and Hand Orientation systems in action in the practice room. I’ll be posting it at 9am if you want to catch it when it drops. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
3 months ago | [YT] | 8
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The Worship Cellist
After several requests, I’m officially in the research phase for a new series on cello vibrato.
I’ve been digging deep (technique, physiology, pedagogy) and to be honest, I’ve already discovered a few things that changed how I think about it.
Some of what I’m finding explains why vibrato feels so confusing for many… and why it’s often difficult to frame clearly for students.
If you’ve struggled to make your vibrato feel natural, felt stuck between “shoulder vs. arm vs. wrist”, or tried to teach it and sensed something wasn’t clicking, I think this series will help.
As always, I’ll demonstrate some practical exercises, but my primary goal is to clarify the underlying mechanics so the movement actually makes sense. This is what I feel is missing from current resources on youtube.
If there’s something specific about vibrato you’ve wrestled with, drop it below. I’m still in research mode, and your questions may shape the direction of the series!
Looking forward,
David
4 months ago | [YT] | 12
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The Worship Cellist
With this winter storm hitting, it’s a great time to get snowed in and learn a new cello skill!
I just posted Video 4 of the Root Map System series — a system for playing simple chord changes on cello in any key using the same finger patterns. (For the full effect, I recommend holding the cello sideways like a guitar while you learn!)
After just the intro video, you’ll have enough knowledge to play hundreds of songs. By the end of the series, you’ll be playing chord changes in a single position simply by changing hand shapes. Five more videos are coming.
It’s interesting that guitar has systems like CAGED that make chord navigation in any key teachable, but cellists haven’t had a widely-known equivalent. That’s what this series aims to explore, making chord playing on cello more accessible and fun.
Anyway, stay warm, stay safe, and use the storm wisely!
David
https://youtu.be/sKrJ_EmVh5A
5 months ago | [YT] | 2
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The Worship Cellist
Hey everyone!
The first video on the Traction Model is now live. This is the foundation for a new way of thinking about tone production that I’m really excited to share with you.
Thanks so much for your support—can’t wait to hear what you think!
How Does Sound Production REALLY Work? | Introducing The Traction Model
https://youtu.be/S8cPF6C7qAk
7 months ago | [YT] | 4
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The Worship Cellist
New Video Alert!
Part 1 of the 3-part Traction Model series arrives tomorrow 12/1 at 12 noon EST.
We’ve been cutting our understanding of tone short, and it’s time to fix that!
Set a reminder so you don’t miss it.
With anticipation,
David
7 months ago | [YT] | 5
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The Worship Cellist
The Kinetic Chain video is now out! Three more videos will be released in the coming days/weeks, so stay tuned. I hope you enjoy!
7 months ago | [YT] | 9
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The Worship Cellist
Welcome to all the new subscribers!
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m currently in the planning stages for several new cello technique videos, which I’ll be recording over the coming months.
You may notice a mix of video types appearing on the channel - some focused on technique, others exploring contemporary cello playing, like reading chord charts and expanding how the cello can be taught and played. My hope for this channel is to inspire a new wave of cello pedagogy that opens the door for cellists to access a wider range of styles, both traditional and modern, with a special focus on contemporary worship styles.
Whatever brought you here, I’m thankful to have you as part of this growing community.
You’re always welcome to reach out with questions about current videos or requests for future ones (video comments or email at TheWorshipCellist@gmail.com). I want this space to be an active, collaborative hub for sparking new ideas about cello playing — technically, musically, and pedagogically.
Here’s to nurturing a new wave of cellists fluent in technique, versatile in style, and ready to embrace the diversity of musical opportunities that surround us!
-David
8 months ago | [YT] | 12
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