August 19, 2009 Cello Lesson

August 19, 2009

Scales:

Redo the two scales and make sure to go to the A string when told to!!

Move thumb into the crook/slot whenever going to 4th position; this will help get the correct fingerings

Make sure the elbow is higher when playing on the G and C strings

Thumb Position:

THIS WILL HURT!!!!!

Practice the first line only of the exercise

Do on the D string

Place thumb on side over both the A and D strings; first knuckle/joint is on A and D is at the middle of the nail

Press; not a harmonic; this will hurt

Do not bend wrist; wrist is not crokked

Shoulder is normal

Elbow is up

There is a 'C' shape between the thumb and fingers

When in thumb position you can play more on the tips of your fingers

You will rarely use the fourth finger (baby)when playing in thumb position (except for this exercise)

The first finger plays one note above the thumb

Vibrato:

Read the section in the Potter book

Use a metronome set at 60

Vibrato is even, heavy, weighted but natural, not forced

Don't move the cello when playing vibrato; hang on tight with knees

Schroeder:

Watch the dynamics on exercise 24

Play at the tip of the bow

Starts Up bow

The faster I can play, the easier this will be

Overall:

ST: "onesies" don't put all fingers, or more than one finger, down at the same time

Next week get there 10 minutes early; Brian and another student will be there

Keep a smooth wrist line

The faster the music is the more you can play on the tips of the fingers

The slower, more legato music needs to be played on the fleshy part of the finger

For next week: August 26, 2009 at 11:35

Redo the scales

Schroeder #24

Thumb exercise, first line only

Vibrato

Tarantella