Hey, ive played cello for about two years now and ive just started doing my gcse's and the instrument im going to use is the cello (which im grade 2 in), but the problem is my cello techer really seems to take it slow, i see her 30 minutes a week and she sets me usually only 1 piece for the entire week in between and i am getting bored of playing the same piece over and over and all i do in the lessons is play the piece and then she moves on to another one which i have to practice all week. Can anyone give me some advice on how i can regain the old interest i had before?

Can you tell your teacher that you want to do learn more pieces than you are at the moment? Go to a music shop and look through some music, and see if there is anything fun you would like to play.

Sure, anyone would go crazy just playing one piece. How much time can you allocate to practice during the week? If you want to do more pieces, you need more time available - is this possible?

Why don't you experiment and play other pieces in the week? It's your cello. Nobody is stopping you from playing different pieces. Why limit yourself to what she sets you?

Then, one day, just show her what you've been doing. She may get the message.

Only one piece for a whole week would drive anyone mad!

Steve

I usually allocate about 15-20 minutes a day but lately ive been so busy with the school production its been about4 days ive been able to play, and the production is this friday so after next week i will have loads of time to spare.

It hasn't driven me mad just its starting to put me off cello because i feel so limited to do things, thanks for all the help dudes , oh and do any of you know any good books or pieces which sound good and are at grade 2 standard?

I really liked "Time Pieces for Cello", Vol.1 and Vol.2. publ. ABRSM. Really good musical substance, they have good accompaniments too. Start with Vol.1 of course. There is a Vol.3 too which is worth a look when you get to Gr.3.

Thank you for all the help, ill try them out and hopefully ill be getting prepared for grade 3 soon

You must say something.
I once had a really bad vio teacher and I was doing the same 3 grade pieces for over a YEAR.. all cos I didnt intervene!

I would say something, it's just what she would say back thats worrying me... as she could put me down by saying im bad at it or she may take it to heart that i dont agree with her teaching methods but i guess it has to be done if i want to progress

If you are worknig from a tutor book then can't you go ahead once you feel you have properly learned the piece set by your teacher.
Can't sse a teacher complaining about somone doing more work than they set and it would give your teacher an idea of how much you are able to take on at a time.



I've come across plenty who would not have that view.

My son played what his teacher gave him in group tuition which was cello time joggers, I backed it up with Time pieces vol 1 and 2. Now he has progressed through Cello time Runners, he sat grade 3 last week after a year of lessons. He likes Jazzing about - Pamela Wedgewood, Petite Morceaux - Squires, Time Pieces Vol 3 and also Cello Time Sprinters. The Cello time pieces has a backing track so you can here what the pieces sound like and additional accompaniment to play along too. Would highly recommend them kept my son amused for ages? It is also divided into different chapters looking at different finger patterns.

Hope this helps a bit. He managed to work through the cello time books at his own pace and liked the independance, he is only 8 so if he can work alone I am sure these books will be fine for anyone.

My teacher uses cello time runners with me and gives me one piece a week , i guess ill have to request for her to maybe give me a little more and from all the suggestions ive got im going to try working through the time pieces for cello myself and when i get more money working through jazzing about and also another jazz book for cello ive heard about.

Thanks for all the advice everyone its much appreciated

It's good to play easier pieces from a previous grade than you are on now. You learn equally important things, like playing confidence and good tone, by playing simple pieces well.

Plus you don't necessarily have to involve your teacher with them.

Learning does not mean always playing things at the very limit of your abilities.

Enjoy those easier pieces!

P.S. When you get more time to practice, split up your practice sessions, e.g. 2 x 25mins per day is probably better than 1 x 50 mins.

My 8 year old also went through the Cello Time Joggers, and then runners. She was only 6 and would go onto the next piece and then the next, because the cd was there. Her teacher was more than happy for her to do this, and was impressed with her enthusiasm.

Have you thought about buying the ABRSM graded CD's? They do them for cello. There are recordings of all the exam pieces on there, so you can see which ones you like. Also there are separate piano accompaniments, so you can play along just like the joggers and runners cd's.

Perhaps also try and join a string group or an orchestra. Do you have one at your school or in your area??
This is also a good way to keep you interested, plus you may meet other cello players

I know exactly how you feel! The teacher I had was quite patronising and strict.... i remember wanting to ask her if I could skip grade 3 but was sooo scared of the response she'd give me.

I can't really say much, because I myself never did tell her and I payed the price- falling behind!
I have a different teacher now who can instantly tell when i'm getting bored of things She's good at that!



Couldn't agree more. I'm in one outside & inside of school, I love going to them both! School orchestras normally accept all grades.

A seasonal suggestion of about the right level would be the snowman suite for cello by Howard Blake. Good luck whatever you try.

Yeah im part of 2 orchestras in school and in a string group in school, they give me a little confidence but sometimes if a piece is too hard looking i lose concentration out of nerves and theyre really judgemental about it.


Ill look into the abrsm graded cds so i have a rough idea about what ill have to play to get grade 3 and also ill look back into my previous books get a little extra confidence

Also ill have a go at the snowman suite thank you so much for all of the help i wasnt expecting all of the replys im really thankful for it all