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> Lower Strings Beginners' Thread, Cos I'm sure I can't be the only one!
false_harmonic
post Apr 15 2009, 10:41 AM
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Seeing as there's a very popular upper strings beginners' thread, thought I'd start one for us beginner cellists (and bassists if there are any!) to provide moral support and help for each other because I'm sure I can't be the only one who has just started!

Same "rules" as for upper strings - discussions for those up to Grade 3ish!

Okay...I'll start. I have now been playing cello for two weeks and at my lesson on Monday sight read one of the Grade 1 pieces (think it was one of the Minuets, but wasn't given it to take home to practise, so can't remember the piece's name exactly!) Also given "Rigadoon" to practise, and a Hornpipe piece.

I am finding it lots of fun but do have lots of bad violinist habits (or just things I do wrong on violin which I am also transferring to cello!). I get the bow hold perfectly in my lesson, but as soon as I practise at home it goes wrong again! I also apparently have a very stiff right shoulder which I have been told I need to relax! And I keep tilting my left fingers (like a violinist!). I also find the A string quite hard to play when practising at home, because it feels like it's at an awkward angle: too far away - I think I may be tilting the instrument a bit too much! But it sounds very nice once I get over the awkwardness of position!

Next week I am to be shown 4th position (and Grade 2 pieces apparently!). Apparently cello 4th position is the same as violin 5th position - ie the fingers are in the same place as in 1st position - just on a different string.
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Flossie
post Apr 15 2009, 11:00 AM
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Sounds like you're storming ahead with your cello playing, false_harmonic. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Are you bringing it to Leeds?
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false_harmonic
post Apr 15 2009, 11:11 AM
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I haven't decided yet! Should I?
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Flossie
post Apr 15 2009, 11:49 AM
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QUOTE(false_harmonic @ Apr 15 2009, 12:11 PM) *

I haven't decided yet! Should I?

Yes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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Tomo
post Apr 15 2009, 08:55 PM
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I have done all of the research for a cello and am collecting a couple to try on Saturday.

I can't wait!

I played tenor sax for about 12 years in various wind orchestras and swing bands etc which was great fun.

Then I sold it to buy a motorbike! I just got tired of not being able to play in a "proper" orchestra! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I did however keep singing in a choir as I have been doing some sort of music for ages (not particularly well I hasten to add!).

I was inspired by a wonderful lady in the choir to take up the cello and now my aim is to play in the orchestra that accompanies our choir when we do a concert. It will be a while I'm sure, but I will stick at it.

This forum has been an inspiration, great idea for a thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I have my first cello lesson booked for Monday evening (my first music lesson for about 17 years!), so I can decide which cello to buy and hopefully learn a few basics....now where do I put the reed......????
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river
post Apr 16 2009, 06:44 AM
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QUOTE(Tomo @ Apr 15 2009, 09:55 PM) *
now where do I put the reed......????


the reed slots into the bottom of the instrument, and acts as a stand, so the cello doesn't touch the floor. (if you've ever seen someone playing the cello, you might have seen this--it looks almost like a piece of metal.) most of the time it's not involved in playing the instrument, but in some pieces you will see parts marked "spiccato". this is Italian for "separate", and means you should pick up the cello (thus separating it from the floor), hold it to your mouth so the neck is facing away from you, and play it with the reed.

this is a fairly advanced technique, so many people on this forum probably won't have heard of it. it was taught to me by a member of the Sealand State Orchestra, who often used it in performance to great effect.
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Babybird2
post Apr 16 2009, 08:02 AM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
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Flossie
post Apr 16 2009, 08:43 AM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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Jacobi
post Apr 16 2009, 08:46 AM
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QUOTE(river @ Apr 16 2009, 07:44 AM) *

QUOTE(Tomo @ Apr 15 2009, 09:55 PM) *
now where do I put the reed......????


the reed slots into the bottom of the instrument, and acts as a stand, so the cello doesn't touch the floor. (if you've ever seen someone playing the cello, you might have seen this--it looks almost like a piece of metal.) most of the time it's not involved in playing the instrument, but in some pieces you will see parts marked "spiccato". this is Italian for "separate", and means you should pick up the cello (thus separating it from the floor), hold it to your mouth so the neck is facing away from you, and play it with the reed.

this is a fairly advanced technique, so many people on this forum probably won't have heard of it. it was taught to me by a member of the Sealand State Orchestra, who often used it in performance to great effect.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)
Sounds like something somebody who carries a trumpet in a tuba case, and a violin in a cello case would try.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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elisabeth_rb
post Apr 17 2009, 01:01 PM
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Glad someone started this thread! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'd love to learn cello too, but I can't possibly afford the £$£ or even the space for one, so I've had to content myself with viola, which, thankfully, I'm very fond of anyway.

Hope this thread is useful and I will now get my interloping self off it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
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gummidge
post Apr 17 2009, 05:11 PM
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Hello, I'm hoping to start the double bass , as soon as it arrives, have found a teacher and am looking for advice about beginner tutor books?
Any help would be appreciated,
I usually play the viola, and am just about to take grade 6,
thanks for starting this thread
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Tomo
post Apr 17 2009, 07:27 PM
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QUOTE(gummidge @ Apr 17 2009, 06:11 PM) *

Hello, I'm hoping to start the double bass , as soon as it arrives, have found a teacher and am looking for advice about beginner tutor books?
Any help would be appreciated,
I usually play the viola, and am just about to take grade 6,
thanks for starting this thread


Hi Gummidge, if you look down the posts list you will find a thread about tutors which I asked a while ago.

Sorry I don't know how to do a clever link thingy.

I did ask about cello though so maybe no good...

River,

great reply about the reed. LOL.

Just stopped laughing. At last, now all those years of sax lessons will not be waisted as I start a new instrument!

I was wondering how on earth I am going to get my new cello under my chin!

I have broard shoulders so this should help! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
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miss sooky
post Apr 18 2009, 06:59 AM
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So glad this thread exists and already giggling at the witticisms exchanged! Look forward to hearing about everyone's progress, challenges and ruminations on the wonderful world of cello/double bass.
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jojo
post Apr 18 2009, 08:17 PM
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As soon as I can get my hands on a double bass I'll be joining this thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) but that may not be for another year at least, unless one is donated to me (yeah right)
It's been on my list for a while, I have this love for the violin and its opposite, the bass (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)
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miss sooky
post Apr 19 2009, 07:22 AM
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QUOTE(jojo @ Apr 18 2009, 09:17 PM) *

As soon as I can get my hands on a double bass I'll be joining this thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) but that may not be for another year at least, unless one is donated to me (yeah right)
It's been on my list for a while, I have this love for the violin and its opposite, the bass (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)


It is such a cool instrument - anything that huge has got to be fun hasn't it?!
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