Stopping your cello spike from sliding on a smooth or polished floor is always a problem - black holes tend to slide, other devices also slide or force you into a position that isn't quite right. I discovered a brilliant answer after buying some gripper pads designed for geting off awkward jar lids - put one of these under a black hole and it's like a limpet. It worked on the laminate floor at home and on the polished floor in the church we use for orchestra practice.

Now that is clever - have you patented this idea?

What about those on a block of wood and then secured via a loop of string to the chair leg? I see that frequently in orchestras.

I recently watched the French film 'The Page Turner' on DVD - there was a scene where the page turner lifted a cello and then dropped it (with the spike) on somebody's foot...

PS. Nice footwear, Suepea!

What a good idea! I'd never have thought of that.

I use my gripper for getting recalcitrant recorders apart....

I find if I keep my black hole clean it doesn't slip. But maybe I just don't have sufficiently polished floors!

What a great idea, SuePea!

I used to carry a short length of carpet around with me for concert use. Rest the chair on one end and your spike on the other and it won't go anywhere. A (professional) cellist whom I used to know used to carry a small penknife around with him and would carve a small hole in the floor!!!!!!! before concerts

I'd always assumed that's what this little chap was doing

That's my elegant, expensive M & S slipper!



I don't expect he was invited back very often.

That's what my daughter uses but it is not very portable. Although I saw someone a few weeks ago who had one with hinges so you could fold it in half to carry it.

I like Suepea's idea better.

My orchestra teacher makes these narrow wooden boards (I presume, since I've searched to see if anybody else uses them, and I have found no pictures), which have a large hole on one end to stick one chair leg into, then a series of smaller holes for your cello spike (there is more than one so you can adjust accordingly to your preference). I hope that made sense. It's easy to transport, I had previously thought that alot of people used them.
Suepea's idea is much smaller and simple, though.

Black Holes work OK with a bit of spittle (or if they're regularly washed in Fairy liquid) on them. If you just lick them... which is what i'd always though this little chap was doing: Lol.
I have one but don't use it much more.

Whatever you use, make sure you use "something".

I was recording a concert in St. John's Smith Square a few years ago where the cellist refused such a device, saying "my cello never slips".

Of course, the cello continually slipped throughout the performance, spoiling the concert and ruining the recording (which the orchestra were paying good money for)!

John

Ikea do a very thin latex backed synthetic wowen mat(I think its meant to be an indoor door mat) which is ideal for putting under your chair/cello spike- it comes in different sizes doesn't slip is extremely lightweight and can be rolled or folded quite small. In the case of my daughter's cello we just roll it and pull it in the padded bag- simple. All for about £2!java script:emoticon(':D', 'smid_5')

Also, the 'sticky cloth' you mention for under the spike holder is also good for protecting young legs/knees from pokey out bits on the cello and padding it out when they're growing into/out of sizes.
An all round useful thing indeed for a cellist!java script:emoticon(':lol:', 'smid_14')

Or you can use a rubbery thing called a 'Stoppin' - it looks a bit like a lump of bumpy jelly and is very effective on all surfaces. Googling it should find one.