Cello Lesson, April 16, 2010

Back to the usual Friday lesson schedule, though today's was just for 30 minutes. I'll see how I'm doing next week, but I might be able to go back to 1 hour; can get so much more done.

Played Schroeder #44 both separate bowing and 4 slurs; and also 2 slurs. Main problem was keeping the bow off the fingerboard. B said to slow it down, do separate bowing and really pay attention to where the bow is. Keep the bow parallel and maintain a heavy arm. Intonation was good as were fingerings.

We played the Vivaldi Allegro movement from the Concerto in G Minor. I played 2nd cello; B played first. Took it really slow; actually sounded pretty good for a first run through. B made some bowing changes; start with two downbeats on each of the opening measures where G is the first note in the measure. Will keep working on this as well as adding some more measure to Schroeder #44.

Cello Lesson, April 12, 2010

Lesson was for 30 minutes today as I didn't think I could handle a full hour. Will also go back to usual Friday lesson this upcoming Friday, again for just 30 minutes.

Warmed up with some easy Bach before playing Schroeder #40. B's comments:

--bow was too much over fingerboard

--Chords at end of piece were good; an alternative fingering would be to use 3rd finger for C and bar the other two notes (I had tried that and found using 2nd finger worked better for me)

--Thumb not bent correctly; work the elbow more

--try to take the tempo up

--do more with dynamics

--play closer to the bridge

Will put #40 away and skip a couple of the next Schroeder pieces as they get into a lot of thumb work (will return to them later.) Will next work on #44. Some things to be aware of and some things to do initially:

--This is a bow control exercise

--initially, only slur 4 notes together or can even play separate bowing if want to, initially

--work on just part of first page for next lesson

--watch the dynamics

--pay attention first to notes and fingering

--on second page, use open note in the chromatic scale

--will be working on this exercise for awhile so don't worry too much initially; break the exercise down.

Played through the first four or five lines of music on this piece this afternoon; shouldn't be too terribly difficult as long as I take it really slow. Will gradually work up to a faster tempo. Fingerings might be a bit tricky but will keep at it.

Played entree and minuet of Bach Cello Duet; will work on the Bouree and Gigue for next Friday's lesson. Sounded pretty good.

B mentioned that we should work up the Vivaldi Allegro from the Concerto in G minor for 2 cellos, RV 531. It is in Suzuki Book #6, which I have. This would be something we could work on this summer. She suggested that Lois play the piano part and said I could take either the first or second part. I looked at the music and will begin gradually working on the 2nd cello part as it is entirely in the bass clef. Both parts look very similar, except for the brief section for the first cello when it goes into the tenor clef. Will mention this to Lois; don't know if she has the music to this; she may as the Squirre Tarantell is also in this Suzuki book and we played that last year.