I've been taking cello lessons for 6 years now, and it still surprises me that progress is non-linear. I'll notice little to no improvement, then suddenly one day, I'll have a breakthrough.
It was really exciting at my last lesson to have one of those 'aha!' moments when I could finally do something my teacher has been telling me about for years (literally!). I guess I was finally physically ready, and prepared enough for that breakthrough.
I finally could rotate my hand, wrist, and arm to get consistent bow weight on the string all the way to the tip without straining anything (particularly my thumb, which has been sore). I could feel and hear the difference in the richness of tone when I got it right. Like any new breakthough, I couldn't get it right consistently, but when I did I could feel a lot more control over the connection between the bow and the string.
It doesn't seem like much, but it sure has taken a long time to get to this point!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Concert report!
We played a concert last weekend, and immediately after it was over I left for the airport and have not had any free time since I returned yesterday. We leave again tomorrow and I'm taking a break from work now...
We played
Magnard Hymn a la Justice (about Dreyfus case)
Verdi Overture to Nabucco
Elgar Enigma Variations
I thought that the orchestra played very well. Even 2 weeks prior to the concert I wasn't sure that we would be ready. There were a few rough spots in the Elgar but we managed to play well.
This was a tough program. The Magnard and Elgar are very challenging pieces. The Magnard had some very high passages in B major where the cellos had the lead. The Elgar has such beautiful writing for the cellos with very challenging rhythms. One variation was all about the cellos and was apparently an inspiration for his cello concerto. It was lovely but not easy to play, one of the themes that repeats all the time is a set of descending seventh intervals, making getting the intonation right challenging. Then there was the finale with the ultra-fast passages, which I played as Note on the Downbeat - mush - Note on the Middle Beat - mush - Note on the Downbeat - all played really fast while accelerating to the final presto section. But all in all I was pretty happy with the way I played.
We played
Magnard Hymn a la Justice (about Dreyfus case)
Verdi Overture to Nabucco
Elgar Enigma Variations
I thought that the orchestra played very well. Even 2 weeks prior to the concert I wasn't sure that we would be ready. There were a few rough spots in the Elgar but we managed to play well.
This was a tough program. The Magnard and Elgar are very challenging pieces. The Magnard had some very high passages in B major where the cellos had the lead. The Elgar has such beautiful writing for the cellos with very challenging rhythms. One variation was all about the cellos and was apparently an inspiration for his cello concerto. It was lovely but not easy to play, one of the themes that repeats all the time is a set of descending seventh intervals, making getting the intonation right challenging. Then there was the finale with the ultra-fast passages, which I played as Note on the Downbeat - mush - Note on the Middle Beat - mush - Note on the Downbeat - all played really fast while accelerating to the final presto section. But all in all I was pretty happy with the way I played.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
My Dungey Cello's Most Excellent Adventure
Christopher delivered my cello last night! It has a new color and is all tuned up.
It looks beautiful! It sounds better than ever
My cello had the most excellent adventure on its way home. Chris stopped in Boise and gave a talk at a cello workshop on his way. He also lent my cello to Zuill Bailey, who played my cello (!), another one of Chris's cellos, and his Gofriller cello during the master class he led there. Chris shot video clips of Zuill Bailey playing all of the cellos and it was so exciting to watch him play my cello! I wish I could have seen the entire class plus listened to him perform the Elgar.
It was cool to hear the different cellos - the other Dungey cello was built in 2005 and it has a much more developed sound. Mine is still so new that while it sounds wonderful, it still sounds like a new cello. And wouldn't it be nice if I could play better...
It looks beautiful! It sounds better than ever
My cello had the most excellent adventure on its way home. Chris stopped in Boise and gave a talk at a cello workshop on his way. He also lent my cello to Zuill Bailey, who played my cello (!), another one of Chris's cellos, and his Gofriller cello during the master class he led there. Chris shot video clips of Zuill Bailey playing all of the cellos and it was so exciting to watch him play my cello! I wish I could have seen the entire class plus listened to him perform the Elgar.
It was cool to hear the different cellos - the other Dungey cello was built in 2005 and it has a much more developed sound. Mine is still so new that while it sounds wonderful, it still sounds like a new cello. And wouldn't it be nice if I could play better...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Funny Cat Video!
Ok, not a cello post, but I had to share this video. I've watched it 3 times and I've laughed throughout the entire video each time.
Dumb Cat Can't Figure Out How To Drink - Watch more Funny Videos
Dumb Cat Can't Figure Out How To Drink - Watch more Funny Videos
Monday, September 7, 2009
Cello Run!
We just got back from Pocatello, on a trip to bring my Dungey cello back to cellomaker Christopher Dungey to get its last coat of varnish and a general checkup and tuning. I've had it for 6 months. My Dungey cello will be with Chris for at least a few weeks and will change from a yellow/brown color to more of a reddish brown. Chris said that over the summer he had 10 of his cellos back and that it was amazing to have so many at the same time. He still had 3 of his older cellos in the shop and I had fun seeing how his cellos have evolved over time. The model cello I have is his latest and greatest and will continue to sound better as it ages.
As an extra treat, he had some David Russell Young bows that I tried out. I'm ready for a new bow, and Chris just happened to see David Young not too long ago and had some of his new bows. It was unreal to hear the difference in sound between my current bow (unchanged since my last cello because I wanted to get used to my Dungey cello before buying a new bow) and the David Young bow. Chris kept saying, wait until I adjust the cello and you will be totally blown away by the sound! Even though the cello still sounds pretty great!
He has had the student cello that I had previously for the last 6 months; he took it home with him when he delivered my Dungey cello in February. We had agreed that he'd return it when I brought back the Dungey cello so that I'd have a cello to play. Chris replaned the fingerboard, changed the strings to a different set to get a better sound, replaced the soundpost, and repaired some varnish nicks and scratches. My student cello now sounds really good but I sure miss my Dungey cello.
Our other treat for the weekend was hanging out with Chris and his family, and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. My husband's brother is married to Chris's sister, so Chris is family. How great is that, being related to such a talented cello maker? I have learned so much about cellos from Chris. Plus he gives me a lesson each time I see him :-)
As an extra treat, he had some David Russell Young bows that I tried out. I'm ready for a new bow, and Chris just happened to see David Young not too long ago and had some of his new bows. It was unreal to hear the difference in sound between my current bow (unchanged since my last cello because I wanted to get used to my Dungey cello before buying a new bow) and the David Young bow. Chris kept saying, wait until I adjust the cello and you will be totally blown away by the sound! Even though the cello still sounds pretty great!
He has had the student cello that I had previously for the last 6 months; he took it home with him when he delivered my Dungey cello in February. We had agreed that he'd return it when I brought back the Dungey cello so that I'd have a cello to play. Chris replaned the fingerboard, changed the strings to a different set to get a better sound, replaced the soundpost, and repaired some varnish nicks and scratches. My student cello now sounds really good but I sure miss my Dungey cello.
Our other treat for the weekend was hanging out with Chris and his family, and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. My husband's brother is married to Chris's sister, so Chris is family. How great is that, being related to such a talented cello maker? I have learned so much about cellos from Chris. Plus he gives me a lesson each time I see him :-)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
gig report
it's been a while since I posted!
Today we had a gig, and played 2 movements from the Brahms Sextet No. 1. I was very happy with the way I played today; all of the practicing to get ready for today was worth it. More vibrato would have been nice, but I hope that is just a matter of time. What made me happy is that I'm starting to be able to control the bow more and am better able to control phrasing than previously. We also played "Turkey Creek" and other arrangements (really fun!) and a Kummer duet for 2 cellos. My husband said that the cello duet was his favorite piece.
Last week I was invited to a cello festival - we had 10 cellos playing together! It was so much fun. A number of us from the cello section in orchestra got invited to join in with a cello ensemble. They have enough cellists that composers have sent them new music to play. We played some music written for 8 cellos, quite a few cello quartet arrangements, and just plain had a great time. I hope we do that again soon.
On the injury front, I am slowly getting better on all fronts. After a month of swimming slowly and concentrating on rotating, one day I just knew I was rotating correctly. So I've been slowly ramping up effort in the pool, trying to keep form at all times, and slowing down and concentrating on form whenever my form starts slipping.
My thumb still hurts, but not as much as previously. I've been working on bow exercises and working on flexibility of my hand. After looking at it my teacher gave me some tips and some exercises to work on. I think it's going to be another slow process before I correct that problem.
We are headed to Pocatello this week - I'm bringing my cello back to Christopher Dungey to get another coat of varnish and to have him look at it after 6 months. It is developing a better sound. He will return my other cello to me so that I have a cello to play while he is working on my new one. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are driving from Colorado and meeting us in Pocatello and we are really looking forward to seeing them!
Today we had a gig, and played 2 movements from the Brahms Sextet No. 1. I was very happy with the way I played today; all of the practicing to get ready for today was worth it. More vibrato would have been nice, but I hope that is just a matter of time. What made me happy is that I'm starting to be able to control the bow more and am better able to control phrasing than previously. We also played "Turkey Creek" and other arrangements (really fun!) and a Kummer duet for 2 cellos. My husband said that the cello duet was his favorite piece.
Last week I was invited to a cello festival - we had 10 cellos playing together! It was so much fun. A number of us from the cello section in orchestra got invited to join in with a cello ensemble. They have enough cellists that composers have sent them new music to play. We played some music written for 8 cellos, quite a few cello quartet arrangements, and just plain had a great time. I hope we do that again soon.
On the injury front, I am slowly getting better on all fronts. After a month of swimming slowly and concentrating on rotating, one day I just knew I was rotating correctly. So I've been slowly ramping up effort in the pool, trying to keep form at all times, and slowing down and concentrating on form whenever my form starts slipping.
My thumb still hurts, but not as much as previously. I've been working on bow exercises and working on flexibility of my hand. After looking at it my teacher gave me some tips and some exercises to work on. I think it's going to be another slow process before I correct that problem.
We are headed to Pocatello this week - I'm bringing my cello back to Christopher Dungey to get another coat of varnish and to have him look at it after 6 months. It is developing a better sound. He will return my other cello to me so that I have a cello to play while he is working on my new one. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are driving from Colorado and meeting us in Pocatello and we are really looking forward to seeing them!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Slowing Down
I've been plagued by a number of injuries over the past month, which has required me to slow down. First is the herniated disk which is causing pain and tingling in my left hand, arm, shoulder, and neck. That hasn't really affected my cello playing but waking up with tingling in my fingers is not very much fun.
The second injury is a very sore right thumb. I think I was straining it with my bow hand, so over the past few weeks I've been playing much more lightly and I've modified my bow grip to relax my whole hand more, use my arm more for weight, and just played more lightly. I've also decreased my practice time (which drives me nuts), and have been icing my thumb after playing. It is slowly getting better, and has been a good reason to spend time working on vibrato.
The third injury is a pulled shoulder muscle from swimming. My husband the former swim coach tells me it's because I don't rotate enough. So the past week I've backed off from swimming very hard, focused on rotating, and have basically driven myself nuts taking it easy in the pool. I've forced myself to swim behind people I normally swim in front of, and to stay back and swim slowly behind people who I know are slower than me. Although I've had my share of amusement making them work really hard while I've been cruising at a slower speed than normal (they all know that I'm not working hard while they're busting their guts to stay with me) it's not been very much fun to swim slowly.
It's been really hard to pull back and take it easy, on my neck/arm/fingers, thumb, and shoulder. I want to accelerate the healing and the irony is that I need to change what I'm doing and rest each injury in order to let it heal.
My vibrato practice has been mostly practicing controlling the wobble to a metronome, very slowly. 2 wobbles per beat. 3 wobbles per beat. 4 wobbles per beat. It's very hard to keep consistent. I've also added trying to keep the wobbles steady while changing bow speed, and while shifting. It's been instructive to see where my vibrato falls apart, and to slow down to get it consistent and right. And, it's been driving me nuts go to slow. Unfortunately I've learned that in order to master a skill it's necessary to slow down before speeding up. So a few more weeks of 2 wobbles per beat, then 3 wobbles per beat,....
The second injury is a very sore right thumb. I think I was straining it with my bow hand, so over the past few weeks I've been playing much more lightly and I've modified my bow grip to relax my whole hand more, use my arm more for weight, and just played more lightly. I've also decreased my practice time (which drives me nuts), and have been icing my thumb after playing. It is slowly getting better, and has been a good reason to spend time working on vibrato.
The third injury is a pulled shoulder muscle from swimming. My husband the former swim coach tells me it's because I don't rotate enough. So the past week I've backed off from swimming very hard, focused on rotating, and have basically driven myself nuts taking it easy in the pool. I've forced myself to swim behind people I normally swim in front of, and to stay back and swim slowly behind people who I know are slower than me. Although I've had my share of amusement making them work really hard while I've been cruising at a slower speed than normal (they all know that I'm not working hard while they're busting their guts to stay with me) it's not been very much fun to swim slowly.
It's been really hard to pull back and take it easy, on my neck/arm/fingers, thumb, and shoulder. I want to accelerate the healing and the irony is that I need to change what I'm doing and rest each injury in order to let it heal.
My vibrato practice has been mostly practicing controlling the wobble to a metronome, very slowly. 2 wobbles per beat. 3 wobbles per beat. 4 wobbles per beat. It's very hard to keep consistent. I've also added trying to keep the wobbles steady while changing bow speed, and while shifting. It's been instructive to see where my vibrato falls apart, and to slow down to get it consistent and right. And, it's been driving me nuts go to slow. Unfortunately I've learned that in order to master a skill it's necessary to slow down before speeding up. So a few more weeks of 2 wobbles per beat, then 3 wobbles per beat,....
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