August 26, 2009 Cello Lesson

August 26, 2009

Scales:

Still stopping between notes, especially in shifts and string changes

Shroeder:

Dynamic changes were good

Intonation was good; sound wasn't good; try playing slower

Next: do 4 and 8 slurs, use whole bow

Tarantella:

Work on for one more week.

Very good

Use a paintbrush, instead of abruptly ending notes

Use more bow

Check double stops at end; playing the wrong note

Second page; second time did not do the triple stacatto's but instead did a repeat of first version?? Need to look sometimes at the music

Vibrato:

Too much wrist action; use more of forearm

Look at Potter again

Practice up and down on the D string; can do in fourth position. Start slow and increase speed

Get comfortable with Vibrato first before incorporating it into music

Thumb Position:

Instead of 4th finger, can use harmonic on A

Need more of a C shape between thumb and fingers

Larger gap between fingers 1 and 2; fingers 3 and 4 are closer together.

Watch elbow height and elbow tension

Overall:

Watch elbow and arm tension as well as wrist

Make sure right thumb is bent at first joint; do not keep straight

For next week: September 2, 2009 at 11:45

Scales: B major and G sharp minor

Schroeder #25

Work on thumb exercise

Vibrato

Finish up Tarantella

Squire: Bouree

Begin Swan