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Cellists, face out!
I coach a lot of chamber music. When the group contains a cellist, I've noticed that they invariably face in, "aiming" themselves towards the first violinist (quartet), or the violinist in a piano...
View ArticleYour Ears are Lying to You
After having spent the past few weeks teaching in a chamber music workshop, I thought it might be a good idea to write about something that growing musicians urgently need to know: You're ears are...
View ArticleWho Needs Upper Strings?
The 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic play Piazzolla.Not much more to say except enjoy this incredible performance!
View ArticleVibrato--Part One
Vibrato is an extremely important element of string playing; and I would argue that it is probably even more important with cello playing, due to the more than four-octave range we enjoy.I'm going to...
View ArticleConstant Scratching
Here is a common question I ask my students: "What did you work on today?"Here is an answer I don't like: "Brahms."If I get an answer like that, I follow up with: "What did you work on with your...
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The Passing of a Great Man
Cellist and Professor of Music, David Wells, has left this world. He was one the great teachers in my life, and strongly influenced my playing, teaching, and attitude towards the world. This past week,...
View ArticleVibrato--Part Two
Let's continue with our talk on vibrato.First, make sure that you are producing an essentially clean, rich sound, with consistently good intonation. If you have slop in your sound (right arm problems)...
View ArticleArticle 17
In my musical life, I have had four main teachers who have had an immeasurable and profound effect on shaping my way of living in music. From my posts, I see that I've spoken already about David...
View ArticleThose Last Few Hours Before the Audition or Competition
In addition to being a cellist and professor, I am a private pilot with an instrument rating, and have been flying for the past 11 years. Almost immediately upon starting instruction, I noticed there...
View Article"Do" and "Don't"
It is easy to get negative when you are practicing. I am certainly guilty of internally chiding myself with classics such as What the heck is wrong with you? or How difficult are these five notes,...
View ArticleGuiding Principle
Whether you are a professional or a beginning student, you probably decided to play cello because you love the sound of the instrument, and you love music.Therefore, whenever you put bow to string,...
View ArticleCellos Take to the High Seas
Forget Jack Sparrow!A pack o' cellists on a voyage be a sight t' behold! Watch ou' fer th' fearsome an' ruthless Cellists o' th' Caribbean!
View ArticlePower Scales
You're a cellist, and we cellists have trouble playing loudly. Also, cellists are often playing with other instruments which can easily play louder than them, or at least project better. One thing I...
View ArticlePolitics and the Arts
Stepping outside the normal focus of our discussions here, I will make my plea to you to please vote in the upcoming election. As you research the candidates, please also consider their stances on the...
View ArticlePlaying Fast, Complicated Music
Students often wonder, how can you play music which is so fast and which has so much detail? The answer is simple--start of slowly, VERY slowly, and practice in small chunks. It looks automatic because...
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Simplifying Hand Position
Do you struggle with getting the right position for each hand? I've hear many different explanations as to how the hands should look. I've even heard teachers make up little stories to help their...
View ArticleDeath of an Angel
In preparation for some upcoming concerts, I have been scouring youtube. The Gemini Piano Trio will be playing, among other works, La Muerte del Ángel by the incredible Argentine composer, Piazzolla....
View ArticleBe a Music Critic
Here is a video I think will stir up some controversy. It is a performance of the Prelude from Bach's Suite in C Major.Before you comment, let's start with what I think can pretty much be stated as...
View ArticleUnlikely Duet?
What do you get when you combine a great cellist with a masterful trumpeter? It will not only surprise you, it will move you.
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Simple Guide to Phrasing
If you find you have trouble bringing out the phrasing in music, this post should help you.Realize that although there are many ways to bring out a phrase, there are three major elements you must...
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