Something has Changed

I missed several practices due to my work schedule at Macy's, and I was feeling so stressed about our chamber recital. It turned out that the recital was postponed due to my teacher's recent illness (she is better, thank the Lord).

I went to lesson today, and was amazed at how well I am playing now. It is as if something has changed, and I am just getting the hang of playing the cello. My son's senior recital is December 12th, and truthfully, I am not worried about it. I was deathly afraid of the chamber recital on the 28th of November, but this time, I am OK with it. I know we will do just fine (all of us!)

Great Lesson

I had a good lesson, and enjoyed playing Christmas Carol's with my teacher.

Cello Update

Struggling with doubt and fear of failure - UGH! I have decided that it is two things: new strings and a new bow. I think my confidence went out the door with these changes to my cello. I didn't think it would that big a deal, just a better sound and ease of playing -- but I was wrong. I am struggling to play well, and I don't like it. Also, I am not practicing as much as I should -- thanks to working PT at Macy's. Sigh!

On a higher note (hee hee) -- my teacher and I practiced with the piano and violin yesterday so that I could get a better feel for my chamber pieces. These are difficult ones she made for me, and I can play them, but the timing is more advanced, and I am either too fast or too slow. More work, more practice and I can play them, I know it.

No Lesson

I cancelled my lesson this week due to family being in town. I will post an update next week.

No Lesson

I cancelled my lesson this week due to family being in town. I will post an update next week.

Lesson 7/29/2010

My lesson today was great! My sight reading is getting really good, and I pretty much can play along with my teacher on new pieces -- first time through! God is SO GOOD TO ME! I do need some new music, though. I am getting really tired of playing Book 3, and I have finished Basic Philharmonic Fiddlers and Strictly Strings Book 2. I whined to my teacher and she graciously gave me her copy of American Fiddle tunes for cello. I am in the pink, so they say, and am happily learning some new fiddle tunes. I will be heading out to Central Music to pick up Fiddler's Philharmic and the Encore book this weekend, but for now, I am very contented to learn these new pieces.

American Tunes: This collection contains 16 traditional fiddling tunes from across North America. They are arranged in a theme and variation format, typical of American fiddling. The authentic fiddling style harmonies are written so that various combinations from solo instrument with piano to duets and trios to full string quartet/orchestra are possible. Includes cello melody (solo), cello harmony and piano accompaniment. American Fiddle Tunes for Solo and Ensemble books are written as ensemble books, so they can be played as solo books with piano accompaniment or together as ensemble.

Lesson Update 7/22/10

Great lesson today. I moved my thumb down a bit (repositioned the velcro tab) and it made such a difference (hitting G). I also learned that I need to keep my elbow up a bit (I tend to slump). Working on Lully's Gavotte showed great improvement, and I am pleased. More posts later -- I have to take my son over to his lesson now.

Lesson for today

I am about to head out the door to my lesson. I finished review of Suzuki Book 2 and got stickers (yes! Can you tell my teacher works mostly with kids? I am just a big kid, and I LOVE STICKERS!!) I am now beginning to go back through Book 3, and review up to the Gavotte (where I got stuck). I am practicing more advanced bowing technique and paying closer attention to proper phrasing. My teacher's thumb trick (putting a velcro pad where your place your thumb in first position) has worked wonders. I now instinctively feel for it, and am missing less notes in all positions. Hooray for little cheats!!



Anyhoo -- I am looking foward to my lesson today, and I am feeling much better overall. I will write an update after I get back home.

Lesson 7/1/2010

My lesson today was so-so. I did OK on the pieces I practiced, but failed miserably when it came to sight reading some harder works. I think my brain is on summer holiday -- it is 113 after all -- and it is very hard to think and do anything else when it gets this hot!! LOL!

Lesson 6/10/2010

Lesson was Ok today. I didn't get a chance to practice, but I went any way. I did pretty well, considering the week I have had. I decided to focus on my performance ability, and over the summer, concentrate on playing the cello well, rather than trying to continue move up through the Suzuki performance books. I am about half way through Book 3, and my playing is just so-so. I really would like to play these pieces as they were written to be played. So my plan for the summer is this:

• Review Book 1 and 2 material and begin playing along with the Suzuki CD for vols. 1-2
• Continue to work on Book 3 and listen to the music (without attempting to play it -- unless I feel confident I can do so well).
• Do the same with my Basic Fiddlers music -- work on performance and presentation skill

I think that by focusing on my performance skill now, I will be able to progress much faster once I get into Book 4. It is more difficult to be precise on harder pieces of music. The easier ones will afford me the opportunity to play them well, get enjoyment from the process, and hopefully build confidence in my ability to play in group or solo settings.

Lesson 5/28/2010

Ok, lesson was good. Funny thing was...I didn't get time to practice much between Wednesday and Friday. We found an abandoned kitten, which took over our entire day and night. I did get some practicing before, so today's lesson went well. I am really getting the hang of playing the cello. In fact, my teacher is impressed that I can play along with her (on violin). I am impressed too -- I never thought I would be able to do that so quickly.

More practice this weekend for sure, and then just one lesson from now on. I am ready to concentrate and meet once a week. She has gotten me to the point where we are really learning new pieces and where I am confident to try just about anything. Oh, she is the BEST teacher ever!

Lesson 5/26/2010

I finished my lesson for today and it was good! I really am getting so much better on the cello. My teacher thinks I have excellent tone -- so do I. I can hear myself now and I sound so much better!!

My new pieces for this week include:

• Rondo by Henry Purcell (Strictly Strings Book 2)
• Gavotte in C Minor by JS Bach (Suzuki Book 3)
• Devil's Dream (Memorize -- Basic Fiddlers Philharmonic)
• as well as and Etude by Carl Schroder

Oh yes, I am also writing an Etude in G Major for Friday (I need to work on that one today).

Overall, I am really so pleased to be progressing this well. I see great improvement each week, and I am coming to love playing the cello more and more.

Lesson 5/19/2010

Happy Birthday, MOM! Just a quick shout out to my Mom, who is having a birthday today!! She is my best friend, and my biggest supporter! Love and hugs!!

Lesson Stuff

Today's lesson was GREAT (as Tony the Tiger says!) I passed everything with flying colors, and even wowed my teacher with my playing of Devil's Dream (a fiddle tune). I did it, I did it, I did it!! Hooray!! I honestly didn't think I could pay it because it is so durn hard!! But, with some perseverance and determination, I did it.

Still working on Beethoven's Minuet in G -- hopefully will be able to play it relatively well by next Friday. Other than that...new piece in Strictly Strings, and another Etude to work on. Good stuff, Maynard!!

Lesson 5/12/2010

My lesson today was very good. Actually, it was satisfactory; but, my practice beforehand was outstanding. I am not sure what is going on, but I played the cello like it is supposed to be played! Hooray!!

My new pieces for next lesson include:

• Minuet in G by Bach (1st two lines only)
• #21 in Schroder Foundational Studies
• More work on Liberty, Turkey in the Straw and Devil's Dream (Fiddlers Philharmonic book)
• and one piece from Strictly Strings Book 2 -- I can't recall the name right now

I am really happy with my progress today, and feel like I am finally getting somewhere. I passed my Scherzo piece, and my two Handel pieces, as well as Jenny Lind Polka. So far, so good. Next lesson is Friday and I am ready to move on!

Fiddle-de-de; Fiddle-de-da!

Lesson today was GREAT! I did well enough to pass Andante by Mozart (very tough for me). I also spent time working on my fiddle pieces (from the Basic Fiddler's Philharmonic book). I passed Oats, Peas and Beans and Sour Mountain. I am still working on Arkansas Traveler, which is a little harder for me to play. Overall, I love playing Fiddle music!!

Next week, I have some ear training to get caught up on as well as finish up Boccherini's Minuet (from Suzuki Book 3). I am feeling very confident today, and am just beaming. I can do this -- I really can play the cello!

Lesson 4/28/10

Today's lesson was so-so. I was disappointed with my nervousness. Some days I go to my lesson and am calm as a clam. Other days, I just am jittery and nervous. I read on a blog today that lesson times can bring on performance anxiety, and I think this is correct. I shouldn't be nervous -- I love my cello teacher -- it is just that I practice so hard, and I want to show off what I have learned. Oh well...

On the other end, I am starting to play fiddle music. My cello teacher suggested that I learn some basic fiddle tunes, just to keep my practice sessions fun. I have been working on classical pieces only, so fiddle music is a nice change of pace. It will also help me with my rhythm, and stress new skills. Overall, I am still happy with my progress (even if my cello was being very squeaky today).

Good Success - 4/23/2010

I had a very good lesson today. I am making great progress on my new pieces:

Minute by Boccherini

Nocturne by Mendelsohn (I actually passed this one)

I got over my issue with note reading and am back to playing well again. Now, I just need to work on my intonation and rhythm (always rhythm).

Frustrated

I am so frustrated today. I went to my lesson, after a rather awful practice session. My entire attitude was not good, I was feeling blue, and really didn't even want to be there. I gave it my best, but the result was awful. I feel so ashamed because I love my teacher, and she is doing this for me as a favor. I need to show up with a good attitude each time I meet with her. Sigh!

Ok, enough of my whining...I will not do this again, because I know better, and I am a responsible adult. I know enough to shape up and pull myself together. Ahem.

Some insights:

I finished the Gavotte and am now working on the next peice by Bocherini. It is a good piece, and I have played it through before. I am struggling all of sudden to read notes. Not sure where this came from, because before I started on that awful Bach piece, I had no issues reading notes. I think it has messed with my mind -- so I have to give it up and take back the control and tell myself that I can read the notes!!

I am also working on shifting exercises. I am rethinking whether or not I should continue with Schroeder's book 2. It is really, really hard. I am wondering if there is an easier method book to use.

Well, that is all for now. I passed my scales, got my Kit Kat bar, and have since devoured it. Chocolate actually makes me feel better, so there cello!

Lesson 2

Today's lesson was great! Oh, I think I am making progress, for sure!!

I came prepared to play Lully's Gavotte and Bach's March in D. I also passed my scales (my teacher is having a scale master's contest). I did C Minor instead of G Minor (reversed them), but still passed. I have just G Minor to finish and then I will have learned all the scales in my method book (hooray!)

My teacher played her violin on Lully's Gavotte, just to help me with timing. It really helped. I find her playing along with me to be beneficial (plus it just sounds so GOOD!) I love the violin and cello together -- they complement one another so well.

I really struggled on the March (it is such a hard piece -- from Strictly Strings Cello 2). I will need to practice it more this week, and hopefully can put it "to bed" by next week (Friday, perhaps).

I also watched a really good video on You Tube before my lesson, and got some good instruction on practicing vibrato. Violinists do vibrato differently than cellists, so my teacher wasn't quite sure how to show me. I will watch this video again, and start practicing the suggested technique over the next few weeks.

All in all, a very good lesson. I am thinking now that I will record myself playing Lully's Gavotte sometime next week. I will post it on You Tube as a record of my actual playing ability. I want to wait until I can play it without too many errors (and at a relatively moderate speed -- now I am about 60-76 bpm; I would like to be at 100 bpm).

I am excited about my learning, and feel very confident that I am going to play the cello really well. Now, on to more practice!!

Lesson 1

Today was my first lesson in Book 3. I tanked. I cannot explain it, but even with some practice, I just froze and forgot everything I learned last week about postions 3-5. Oh well, good thing my cello teacher is so sweet. She is SUPER and so very kind. I just love her, love her, love her.

I need to work hard on practicing for Lully's Gavotte and also Bach's March in D (from Strictly Strings, Book 2). Both are pretty difficult pieces to play. I am getting better, but slowly. Oh, I am so impatient. Why can't I play better NOW (with my very best Varooka whine -- from C&TCF a la Gene Wilder)!!

Just Some Fun

Me in 4th Position

Me Practicing "I Love My Cello"

Me - Scales G Minor