Do you ever hear a song and you feel like you just connect to it? I've been a fan of the band Tim Be Told for awhile and they just came out with a new album called Love and Happiness: https://bit.ly/timbetold . This album has so many great songs but one that caught my ear(?) is To See the Light. It seems appropriate for the times, but perhaps it can also be an ode to the struggles in life, faith,…
Playing music with other people is often a fun project that lots of people love to do. Especially when you are learning your solo music, unless the piece is unaccompanied, it can often be far more satisfying to be collaborating with someone else. I chatted with my good friend, collaborator, and pianist Patryce King in this recent video. Here we talked about the helpful things EVERYONE can do to help make collaborations easier. Remember it is not all about YOU…
Scales are an essential part of learning any instrument! Even if you are a beginner you can learn some simple scales and really get to know your instrument well. A quick way to really know first position on the cello is to do some scales as well. Here I continue in this beginner scale series by talking about scales that use flats. Be sure to check it out and tell me what you think! https://youtu.be/uCuZbTVd9Yc
As a teacher I always emphasize the importance of knowing your scales. Too often there is so much concern over learning the repertoire that a lot students only gloss over knowing anything about scales. Even beginner cello players can learn to play scales. Remember learning scales may be not as exciting as a song, but it will really show you where notes are on your cello and help you become more familiar with the fingerboard geography. In this video I…
It has been a bit of time but I have been working on getting more Youtube videos out to you on tips and tools to help you learn how to play your favorite songs on the cello. This week I just released a video with tips on how to play the song A Million Dreams from the movie The Greatest Showman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTW6vdl8K6c I just love movie music, it really adds to the mood and feeling of what you are watching.…
Having a good technical foundation will definitely help you when you are learning the cello! If there is one important foundational skill to remember about playing the cello it is to keep the thumb of your left hand under your middle finger AT ALL times. (Think “C” for cello, making a c shape with your hand where the thumb is in the proper location.) This would also include if you are stretching, shifting, staying in closed position, and even if…
Are you learning the Franchomme Caprice No 3? (I refer to it as an etude, but I suppose the official term is caprice :) ) My latest Youtube video covers all the tips you need to help you master this etude. This would be really helpful to those who are opting to take the All-Region or All-State audition since this is one of the etudes on the list. (The other one is Popper 16, which I also have a video on). If…
Vibrato is an important skill to learn and to start using in your music making process. But it is important to also know when NOT to use vibrato. Remember that vibrato is used to enhance the music and not as a crutch for things such as finding your intonation or as a default addition to everything. You eventually want to expand your musical "toolbox" to be able to use vibrato at different speeds, intensities, and basically increase your control. In…
In this new video I give you practice tips on how to play Popper Etude #16 successfully. Popper etudes can be a challenge but with the right mindset and paying attention to details you can master this Popper etude. Remember it is often the little things that will set you apart from other cello players playing the same thing. There is a reason Popper is such a standard in the cello repertoire, but just keep practicing and you will get…
It is crazy to believe how fast the summer has flown by. Now that it is back to school season I am talking about a few tips and tools that will help make your school year with music run smoothly. If there are any other things that I have missed be sure to let me know! Now if only the TX heat would go away so it feels like a proper fall! Remember the best preparation often yields the best…