September 2, 2009 Cello Lesson

September 2, 2009

Scales:

Work more on the B Major and G Sharp Minor for next lesson (9/11)

Don't compress fingers; watch spacing

Let thumb lead the way

Watch elbow height

Was somewhat smoother; keep trying for smooth transitions

Schroeder:

#25 was good

Use more bow in 4 slurs

Make sure the bow stays parallel; when I angle the bow it leads to bad sound

For 9/11 work on #26; pay attention to dynamics and up and down bow; use whole bow throughout exercise

Squirre: Bouree:

DID NOT PLAY AS WELL AT LESSON AS I HAVE BEEN AT HOME!!!!! Really stunk!!

Bouree is a dance so make sure tempo is consistent and steady (problems with this throughout piece, but especially in eighth note "runs"

First measure: make sure is down and then up bow

Stacatto notes should be played close to the frog; about 3 inches from the frog (on bow)

Make sure the shifts are smooth; practice the nugget of shifting from 4 to 1 (many places in the piece)

Double stops: can keep first finger down on A (on the D string); use 4/3 for first chord and 3/1 for second. Don't need to move hand; just shift to other string. Use a fly casting technique for those chords

Use more bow throughout

Make sure the 16th note runs are smooth; how fast I play the piece will depend on how well and how fast these notes can be played

In the gliss. from the harmonic D to the open D, make sure the top D is held for the full 1 1/2 beats.

In slow section , make sure the E is hit perfectly each time

Go into second position in the eighth note run (DCCB/////BAAG#); can either make the switch at the B or at the A (on the D String); NO OPEN A!!

Pay attention to all dynamics

Continue with this first page only.

NEXT LESSON IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 AT 11:30. Brian will have lesson before me. This will be my new time.