Learning the Violoncello
Posted in lesson on Feb 5th, 2010
At my lesson today we talked about slurs and hooked bowing.
On cello (and I assume other stringed instruments) a slur indicates that the notes should all be played with a single movement of the bow. As my teacher put it, changing bow direction creates a consonant, it cuts off the sound however briefly. A slur, [...]
Today’s lesson, my fourth since starting with my teacher, focused on smaller details, primarily those that lead to better tone quality. The art in playing cello, and I would imagine any bowed instrument, is using the right amount of pressure and bow speed to get the desired tone.
Windows
Some passages are more difficult than others and [...]
The Suzuki method I am working through in my cello lessons adds new techniques or challenges with each new piece as you progress through the book. Playing the pieces over and over helps to train my right hand and arm proper bowing techniques, and trains my left hand the proper fingering – provided I am [...]
Posted in lesson on Dec 4th, 2009
Today I had my second lesson with my new cello teacher. It was a wonderful 40 minutes that left me excited about playing and eager to have my next practice session.
Tuning
My chromatic tuner arrived this week and I’ve been using it to tune the cello before each practice. It makes the instrument sound the best [...]
Posted in lesson on Nov 24th, 2009
Overview
Today I had what I feel is my first real cello lesson. The differences between instruction and teaching are numerous but they include mastery of the subject matter being taught, and mastery of the techniques necessary to transfer that knowledge to the student. Details are explained, but without presenting so much information that the student [...]
Posted in lesson on Nov 23rd, 2009
My first three lessons were an interesting amalgam of excitement, new ideas, and disappointment.
First Lesson #1
This lesson covered very basic information about how to carry the cello, how to remove it from and return it to its case, and a basic review of the parts of the cello and bow. A brief introduction to playing [...]