Full Version: Where Are All The Cello Players?
how many people on this forum actually play cello? Are cellists particularly averse to the internet? is it the competition from other cello websites? Or are there just not enough cello players? If this forum is representative of numbers, we're lining up for some seriously under-celloe'd orchestras, and a lot of bars rest in a lot of string quartets.
| QUOTE (zoda @ Sep 29 2004, 04:14 PM) |
| how many people on this forum actually play cello? Are cellists particularly averse to the internet? is it the competition from other cello websites? Or are there just not enough cello players? If this forum is representative of numbers, we're lining up for some seriously under-celloe'd orchestras, and a lot of bars rest in a lot of string quartets. |
I learnt 'cello for a short time, but transferred to double bass and rarely play 'cello nowadays, certainly not in the local orchestras, which have (too) many very good 'cellists - all much better than me. Violas and double basses are in much shorter supply.
well done you!
I play the cello! I think I've been playing for 3ish years so I still feel like a beginner. I'm doing my grade 4 in Novemember, and doing my grade 8 piano at the same time too so I really hope they're not on the same day! I've just joined my school orchestra with the cello, and I'm joining the string quartet and/or string group too!
nice one, Meg, sounds like you're going to be quite busy!
Agreed! Cellists don't seem to post much on this site, or else they hide it well !
I've been avidly readying these notices for some time, and there is little mention of this fabulous instrument. But you've changed all that Zoda!
I took up the 'cello in Sept last year (at 41!!) having never played a bowed string instrument in my life (play piano - not strings really!). I took it up mainly to be able to help my 5 year old girl start violin lessons and compliment it too. However I've become obsessed with the 'cello and can't get enough of it! I even bought a hand-made new one - now there's commitment (££££)! And it really helps me help my daughter - I know what she's going through, squeaking, whining and scratching almost every note! You'd want to hear the two of us playing together - NOT! Having said that, she's doing grade 1 this December, so we're going in the right direction...
It has taught me how challenging a stringed instrument is - and that I've been spoilt with piano all these years!
I've heard it said that it can take 20 years to make a good note on a stringed instrument. Shame I didn't start earlier!
I had this idea of starting a string quartet in the family (have another child too, too young to start yet at 2 but that just gives me more time!) so I bought a new Viola for the wife (as a Christmas present, at least she tried to look pleased!) - who is musical but has never played anything before!
Ambitious? Just a bit - the Viola has been out of its case on 5 occasions since last Christmas! Needless to say, this quartet idea isn't going particularly well at the moment....
But us cellists are determined types, and don't give up easily - or we'd be extinct by now!
I've been avidly readying these notices for some time, and there is little mention of this fabulous instrument. But you've changed all that Zoda!
I took up the 'cello in Sept last year (at 41!!) having never played a bowed string instrument in my life (play piano - not strings really!). I took it up mainly to be able to help my 5 year old girl start violin lessons and compliment it too. However I've become obsessed with the 'cello and can't get enough of it! I even bought a hand-made new one - now there's commitment (££££)! And it really helps me help my daughter - I know what she's going through, squeaking, whining and scratching almost every note! You'd want to hear the two of us playing together - NOT! Having said that, she's doing grade 1 this December, so we're going in the right direction...
It has taught me how challenging a stringed instrument is - and that I've been spoilt with piano all these years!
I've heard it said that it can take 20 years to make a good note on a stringed instrument. Shame I didn't start earlier!
I had this idea of starting a string quartet in the family (have another child too, too young to start yet at 2 but that just gives me more time!) so I bought a new Viola for the wife (as a Christmas present, at least she tried to look pleased!) - who is musical but has never played anything before!
Ambitious? Just a bit - the Viola has been out of its case on 5 occasions since last Christmas! Needless to say, this quartet idea isn't going particularly well at the moment....
But us cellists are determined types, and don't give up easily - or we'd be extinct by now!
| QUOTE (indy_epx @ Oct 7 2004, 09:48 AM) |
| You'd want to hear the two of us playing together - NOT! |
[QUOTE]
A family quartet? it's naive, idealistic and impossible! I'm trying the same thing! But now we can go down fighting together - like Barnie and Clyde, General Custer, the charge of the light brigade, Kate and Leonardo.
My wife laughed at your posting. I bought her a viola earlier this year, but luckily we found a really good teacher, and she is making a little bit of progress. She's not exactly fanatical yet, but the thinking is that music playing takes up quite a bit of time, so as the children get older it would be nice if their music playing was adding to time together with the whole family, instead of being in isolation from the family (particularly as we both work). At least it gives my wife the option of joining in sometimes. However when you start considering the possibilities for invading music lessons and using your teachers as an extra line, there must be loads of combinations to try out - especially with your piano playing skills!
I'd be interested for the occasional update, Indy!
Zoda - that is an amazing co-incidence!
Perhaps there are more budding family string quartets out there - or maybe not...
I'm going to drag my wife in to read these postings and say 'there - look - Zoda's wife is doing fine on Viola and started around the same time as you so it is possible ... - Hrrrmph!'
I'm impressed your's got going.
We found an excellent teacher too who was really encouraging and helpful.
My cello teacher (who is simply out of this world and taught and played with the greats) thinks a string quartet at home is NOT a good idea - too much bickering and infighting in st-quartets - he thinks they are nightmares on a personal level and much to be avoided!
Not putting me off though. See I said us cellists are stubborn!
We had a string trio attempt a while ago - my wife was to play open G or D for the entire "Twinkle twinkle little star" while the 5yrold played melody and I got carried away on 'cello (arpeggios, runs, syncopations etc!!). The arguments about 'not shouting when to change from G to D' were bad - I thought it might have been intuitive and forgot to say when to change.... (and no she doesn't sight-read any clef)
We won't be trying that again and my eye has recovered from an unfortunate poke from a Viola bow.
So have you actually played together? If so - what? And how did it go?
Perhaps there are more budding family string quartets out there - or maybe not...
I'm going to drag my wife in to read these postings and say 'there - look - Zoda's wife is doing fine on Viola and started around the same time as you so it is possible ... - Hrrrmph!'
I'm impressed your's got going.
We found an excellent teacher too who was really encouraging and helpful.
My cello teacher (who is simply out of this world and taught and played with the greats) thinks a string quartet at home is NOT a good idea - too much bickering and infighting in st-quartets - he thinks they are nightmares on a personal level and much to be avoided!
Not putting me off though. See I said us cellists are stubborn!
We had a string trio attempt a while ago - my wife was to play open G or D for the entire "Twinkle twinkle little star" while the 5yrold played melody and I got carried away on 'cello (arpeggios, runs, syncopations etc!!). The arguments about 'not shouting when to change from G to D' were bad - I thought it might have been intuitive and forgot to say when to change.... (and no she doesn't sight-read any clef)
We won't be trying that again and my eye has recovered from an unfortunate poke from a Viola bow.
So have you actually played together? If so - what? And how did it go?
It's a bit early days yet in terms of individual progress. So far we've only had about 3 or 4 ensemble attempts, usually on a cold grey drizzly afternoon when we've run out of other ideas. My daughter (age 5, cello) can read open strings, but nothing else. My son (age 4, violin) is learning suzuki and hasn't looked at any music at all. My wife (age 21++) has learnt some finger notes on the top 2 strings, but we haven't put them into play yet. If she joins it encourages the children also. These are the combinations we have tried:
( i ) Everybody playing whatever they want randomly, in the style of the world's worst orchestra tuning up.
( ii ) Rhythmns from my son's lessons such as "sausages and bacon" and "fatter than a caterpillar". Cello and Viola on Open A an octave apart, violin I (!) on open E, and me on either C sharp or C natural.
( iii ) Three blind mice - I play the melody, my son (sitting in an elevated position) does the "mice squeaks" by bowing E on the wrong side of the bridge after the words "mice" and "run" wherever they appear, and my daughter underpins the rhythmn on open A.
( iv ) My wife plays one of her easy piano tunes on our "B natural" piano (she's learning that as well), and I double the melody on violin or viola.
( v ) Haven't done this yet, but my wife's teacher wants me to have a crack at accompanying her on the piano, to keep her in tune. Also, I have transcribed the first "twinkle variation" from A major to B flat major, so one of us can accompany my son on our piano when he gets to it.
( vi ) Waiting in the long distant wings I have the team strings books, some easy arrangements of eg handel's fireworks music, and the string quartet scores for the pieces I mentioned on the string quartet thread in viva strings. Also I have rejoined a string orchestra I used to play in 17 years ago, and all the music from that may become a target, either by us going to orchestra, or as a quartet.
A cousin of mine at a recent wedding said he had heard horror stories of family quartets. Although such warnings give reasons for care being taken, I am not totally put off at this stage because;
( i ) My own experience of playing with others (admittedly not in family ensembles) has been entirely positive, whereas I used to find solitary practise behind a sibling-slammed door a little harder to enthuse over. One of my happiest university memories was one time after working through the night to meet an essay deadline, I felt somewhat euphoric, and went without having slept to have a stab at the Bach Double with a corridor mate, who was actually quite good. Due to the lack of sleep, my playing was even more insensitive than usual. My friend, who was terribly posh and polite - a bit like a young Hugh Grant - decided to let me know this not by telling me, but by mimicking my crappy style, punctuated by quizzical looks. I have to say he didn't see anything funny about it, but for me it was one of those magical and rare moments when I started to laugh until the tears were rolling down my cheeks.
( ii ) As stated in my previous post, family time is precious and I would rather spend it together than apart.
( iii ) I just don't believe it is impossible to get on with your own family just because you're in a quartet.
Schubert was devoted to his family ensembles, as, from my memory of a past TV broadcast of "Young Musician of the Year", was Guy Johnson, who seemed very happy as well as brilliant. Admittedly their ensembles are a different proposition from what mine will ever be, but the low expectations that I have, and the sole purposes being fun and shared family time, may give less rather than more scope for arguments and discord, although admittedly less scope also for producing "a bright, robust sound".
( iv ) My children even at their age seem to know what they want in a way which I never did. If they don't want to play, it's not going to happen anyway. I will then be no worse off than I was for the 11 years after university when I hardly touched my violin anyway, and neither will anyone else.
( i ) Everybody playing whatever they want randomly, in the style of the world's worst orchestra tuning up.
( ii ) Rhythmns from my son's lessons such as "sausages and bacon" and "fatter than a caterpillar". Cello and Viola on Open A an octave apart, violin I (!) on open E, and me on either C sharp or C natural.
( iii ) Three blind mice - I play the melody, my son (sitting in an elevated position) does the "mice squeaks" by bowing E on the wrong side of the bridge after the words "mice" and "run" wherever they appear, and my daughter underpins the rhythmn on open A.
( iv ) My wife plays one of her easy piano tunes on our "B natural" piano (she's learning that as well), and I double the melody on violin or viola.
( v ) Haven't done this yet, but my wife's teacher wants me to have a crack at accompanying her on the piano, to keep her in tune. Also, I have transcribed the first "twinkle variation" from A major to B flat major, so one of us can accompany my son on our piano when he gets to it.
( vi ) Waiting in the long distant wings I have the team strings books, some easy arrangements of eg handel's fireworks music, and the string quartet scores for the pieces I mentioned on the string quartet thread in viva strings. Also I have rejoined a string orchestra I used to play in 17 years ago, and all the music from that may become a target, either by us going to orchestra, or as a quartet.
A cousin of mine at a recent wedding said he had heard horror stories of family quartets. Although such warnings give reasons for care being taken, I am not totally put off at this stage because;
( i ) My own experience of playing with others (admittedly not in family ensembles) has been entirely positive, whereas I used to find solitary practise behind a sibling-slammed door a little harder to enthuse over. One of my happiest university memories was one time after working through the night to meet an essay deadline, I felt somewhat euphoric, and went without having slept to have a stab at the Bach Double with a corridor mate, who was actually quite good. Due to the lack of sleep, my playing was even more insensitive than usual. My friend, who was terribly posh and polite - a bit like a young Hugh Grant - decided to let me know this not by telling me, but by mimicking my crappy style, punctuated by quizzical looks. I have to say he didn't see anything funny about it, but for me it was one of those magical and rare moments when I started to laugh until the tears were rolling down my cheeks.
( ii ) As stated in my previous post, family time is precious and I would rather spend it together than apart.
( iii ) I just don't believe it is impossible to get on with your own family just because you're in a quartet.
Schubert was devoted to his family ensembles, as, from my memory of a past TV broadcast of "Young Musician of the Year", was Guy Johnson, who seemed very happy as well as brilliant. Admittedly their ensembles are a different proposition from what mine will ever be, but the low expectations that I have, and the sole purposes being fun and shared family time, may give less rather than more scope for arguments and discord, although admittedly less scope also for producing "a bright, robust sound".
( iv ) My children even at their age seem to know what they want in a way which I never did. If they don't want to play, it's not going to happen anyway. I will then be no worse off than I was for the 11 years after university when I hardly touched my violin anyway, and neither will anyone else.
i'm a cellist !!!!!!!!! 
Yes, this message board is rather boring...it's very "frozen" and abandoned for me...even though I am a cellist... 
well piano Ellie, indy, DGA, meg, there's a few of you in here - you just need to make a bit more noise - type a bit nearer the bridge!
| QUOTE (zoda @ Oct 14 2004, 06:15 PM) |
| well piano Ellie, indy, DGA, meg, there's a few of you in here - you just need to make a bit more noise - type a bit nearer the bridge! |
I think there should be more people writing in this message board, zoda...don't you notice a lot more people just read this board but never reply....If it's still like this maybe they'll close Viva Cello!!
Give it time, DGA! This website is still quite young and there's new members joining all the time. I only found it because I was doing a nosey google search on Gliga violins - I think there's a snowball effect in that the more you talk about things, the more people pick it up on their Google radar and come flying in.
Also, because of the association in lots of peoples minds between ABRSM and nerve wracking music exams, I think people may have expected this website to be limited to people saying "what did you get because I got 147". Insofar as a lot of the themes are "students of ABRSM exams", "parents of students of ABRSM exams", "teachers of students of ABRSM exams" I feel like a sneaky intruder, as I haven't done an exam since about 1985. However, until I'm kicked out, I take the view that it does no harm to cover a much wider range of musical topics, not necessarily exam - related, to which everyone can contribute. That seems to reflect the approach of most of the posters in here, without objection from the moderators, and I think the website is healthier (and of more interest and benefit to ABRSM folk) for the inclusion of all comers and all musical topics.
There is a silver lining to Cello forum - the busiest forum in here is teacher's forum, with the result that if you post there your post is liable to drop off the bottom of the page in about 20 minutes. If you post in Cello forum it's like having your own permanent radio station (admittedly in Greenland with a catchment of 4 people). And it's not abusing the system to view it like that because any post you make is keeping the forum alive and may create new interest.
David
Also, because of the association in lots of peoples minds between ABRSM and nerve wracking music exams, I think people may have expected this website to be limited to people saying "what did you get because I got 147". Insofar as a lot of the themes are "students of ABRSM exams", "parents of students of ABRSM exams", "teachers of students of ABRSM exams" I feel like a sneaky intruder, as I haven't done an exam since about 1985. However, until I'm kicked out, I take the view that it does no harm to cover a much wider range of musical topics, not necessarily exam - related, to which everyone can contribute. That seems to reflect the approach of most of the posters in here, without objection from the moderators, and I think the website is healthier (and of more interest and benefit to ABRSM folk) for the inclusion of all comers and all musical topics.
There is a silver lining to Cello forum - the busiest forum in here is teacher's forum, with the result that if you post there your post is liable to drop off the bottom of the page in about 20 minutes. If you post in Cello forum it's like having your own permanent radio station (admittedly in Greenland with a catchment of 4 people). And it's not abusing the system to view it like that because any post you make is keeping the forum alive and may create new interest.
David
Hey!
I like cello...but dont play it
As for the forums, people play a variety of instruments!
The forum with the most posts is the genreal one..i think
But other small subforums, like the woodwind--flute forum i visit, dont get mushc posts either but i still visit there and try to bring up some interesting topics
and i agree with zoda
give it time
When i first visited this forum, there wasn't much candidates, but now the numbers are rising!
I like cello...but dont play it
As for the forums, people play a variety of instruments!
The forum with the most posts is the genreal one..i think
But other small subforums, like the woodwind--flute forum i visit, dont get mushc posts either but i still visit there and try to bring up some interesting topics
and i agree with zoda
give it time
When i first visited this forum, there wasn't much candidates, but now the numbers are rising!
That's very open and ecumenical of you, missfabflute, a flautist in the cello thread - welcome! I might even venture into some of the woodwind threads and have a nose round.
One of my current favourites is the "Domine Deus" from Bach's mass in B minor, which has a beautifully lyrical and simple flute part - do you know that one?
One of my current favourites is the "Domine Deus" from Bach's mass in B minor, which has a beautifully lyrical and simple flute part - do you know that one?
My daughter has just started learning the cello (not sure how I ended up reading the cello forum though I'm a pianist) and plays with a local youth orchestra where they teach the cello for free because it is an undersubscribed instrument. Consequently they are the only orchestra locally to have seat loads of cellists. so its only costing me £20 a term to hire the cello until she grows enough to warrent buying one, and the cost of the orchestra - wait for it £75 per year for 3 hours every saturday morning in term time - Bargain.
That's a wonderful idea Digby! I might even suggest it to my daughter's Cello teacher 
hullo
i am a cellist of exeptional quality. lol. sort of
now what
i am a cellist of exeptional quality. lol. sort of
now what
Got to give Digby some of my advice here!
'Group' tuition isn't all it's cracked up to be!!
It sounds great that your daughter is getting this chance in a local youth orchestra and its so cheap it's unbelievable. Just keep an eye on how she progresses, and if she's not getting enough attention or is not progressing or is getting bored, you might want to supplement with private tuition.
My daughter started learning recorder in a local well-organised county music school, and after 4 lessons I wasn't impressed that they were still only on 2 notes - given that she knew a lot more before starting. After a whole term I had enough though she was happy to trundle along to it, so I took her out and found private tuition - far more expensive - but within 2 months she sat grade 1 recorder and got a merit. She's still motoring and LOVES it - runs to the lesson, while that group is still at a snails pace (yes I checked!).
My honest belief is - group tuition doesn't work! I might be flogged for saying that!! They go at the rate of the slowest learner - so I'm told by the above group recorder teacher.
Private tuition goes at the rate of your daughters abilities.
You might be lucky and the group is just right for your girl....
Cello is not a simple instrument. I take cello lessons, and I can't imagine being in a group for it, especially early on, as there is so much to sort out and correct.
I'm waiting for a bashing on these words - but as I said - its just my advice....
'Group' tuition isn't all it's cracked up to be!!
It sounds great that your daughter is getting this chance in a local youth orchestra and its so cheap it's unbelievable. Just keep an eye on how she progresses, and if she's not getting enough attention or is not progressing or is getting bored, you might want to supplement with private tuition.
My daughter started learning recorder in a local well-organised county music school, and after 4 lessons I wasn't impressed that they were still only on 2 notes - given that she knew a lot more before starting. After a whole term I had enough though she was happy to trundle along to it, so I took her out and found private tuition - far more expensive - but within 2 months she sat grade 1 recorder and got a merit. She's still motoring and LOVES it - runs to the lesson, while that group is still at a snails pace (yes I checked!).
My honest belief is - group tuition doesn't work! I might be flogged for saying that!! They go at the rate of the slowest learner - so I'm told by the above group recorder teacher.
Private tuition goes at the rate of your daughters abilities.
You might be lucky and the group is just right for your girl....
Cello is not a simple instrument. I take cello lessons, and I can't imagine being in a group for it, especially early on, as there is so much to sort out and correct.
I'm waiting for a bashing on these words - but as I said - its just my advice....
| QUOTE |
| I'm waiting for a bashing on these words - but as I said - its just my advice.... |
Oh you certainly won't get a bashing from me I agree 100%, I am not a fan of group lessons by any stretch of the imagination, and with the school recorder lessons we gave up after 1 term.
But we seem to have fallen on our feet here, she is currently the only one who is a beginner this term, so we have one to one tuition, and I'm a piano teacher, who plays the violin as well so she has more support from home than most(not always convinced this is a good thing as they can be happily playing away then a bellowing voice comes from the kitchen - watch that rhythm!) .
The cello is her second instrument after the piano so she already has a head start and I went to school with the guy that runs it. So whilst I don't play the cello, I know the theory (and quite enjoy having a go) and I have people I can whinge at if necessary.
What we will probably do is wait until she goes to secondary school then switch to more formal private lessons then, by which time we'll know its what she wants, as I am not convinced she will have the option of grades etc doing it this way.
The orchestra also offer the same deal for Bassoon players.
Digby - I should have guessed you'd be on top of it!!!!
Relieved I didn't get a red ear!
I love your 'bellowing voice from the kitchen'!!!! That's our house to a tee!!!
The way I look at it - we'll either put them off or they'll be excellent!!
The group lessons for children starting off, esp. with parents who are new too - is tough going. I know lots of parents in this category and although very keen, they are in the dark, and they wonder why progress seems so slow - and it is slow!
Digby - sounds like you should be taking up the cello too!
Now don't give me 10 reasons for not doing so, or I'll get Zoda to sort you out!!
I think pianists are well suited to migrating to cello (I wouldn't say its the same the other way around, but then I wouldn't know! Anyone done this?).
As long as you're not competing with your daughter that is - she'd probably hate if you took it up and got ahead of her (which is unlikely mind you!!)
Relieved I didn't get a red ear!
I love your 'bellowing voice from the kitchen'!!!! That's our house to a tee!!!
The way I look at it - we'll either put them off or they'll be excellent!!
The group lessons for children starting off, esp. with parents who are new too - is tough going. I know lots of parents in this category and although very keen, they are in the dark, and they wonder why progress seems so slow - and it is slow!
| QUOTE |
| So whilst I don't play the cello, I know the theory (and quite enjoy having a go) |
Digby - sounds like you should be taking up the cello too!
Now don't give me 10 reasons for not doing so, or I'll get Zoda to sort you out!!
I think pianists are well suited to migrating to cello (I wouldn't say its the same the other way around, but then I wouldn't know! Anyone done this?).
As long as you're not competing with your daughter that is - she'd probably hate if you took it up and got ahead of her (which is unlikely mind you!!)
lol, I've got quite a bit on at the moment, but may have a go when she gets a bigger instrument, the quarter size is a bit small!
Oh I agree It must be quite difficult for parents who aren't used to the music teaching scene especially when you don't know what to expect.
I'm quite lucky with my daughters though, they don't worry about me being better, and she already comes to me for help with the cello, its like an assumption that I know what I'm talking about - I know that won't last though
| QUOTE |
| The group lessons for children starting off, esp. with parents who are new too |
Oh I agree It must be quite difficult for parents who aren't used to the music teaching scene especially when you don't know what to expect.
I'm quite lucky with my daughters though, they don't worry about me being better, and she already comes to me for help with the cello, its like an assumption that I know what I'm talking about - I know that won't last though
i play da cello and i started in a group of 4 with us all being beginers and now we r in 2 groups with 2 people in each it is very difficult to have group lessons because of the working at your own pace thing soooo... but on the other hand some students strive in groups soo i duno.... i have been play since the start of this year and we dont so grades but im doin a performance assesment grade 2 or 3 so hmmm this is going to be interesting
| QUOTE (piano_ellie @ Oct 13 2004, 07:32 PM) |
| i'm a cellist !!!!!!!!! |
im a cellist too! and i play piano! and my name's ellie
otherwise...i've been playing cello since i was 10, and i did my grade 8 last year. and theres far too many cellos in my orchestra. theres 16 cellos (i think) and like....10 1st violions, less seconds, and only about 5 violas.
in fact theres so many cellos in my orchestra that the conductor arranged a part for second cellos in our music which is a mix of viola music and double bass music.
Cellogirlie (Ellie)
I'm really impressed that - before you even start A-levels - you've managed to complete Grade 8 Cello - on top of Gr7 piano and singing grades!!
You make it sound easy. Well done!
I'm really impressed that - before you even start A-levels - you've managed to complete Grade 8 Cello - on top of Gr7 piano and singing grades!!
You make it sound easy. Well done!
just an update from a previous thread my 7 year old finally started his cello lessons in september after 18 months on the waiting list. He is whizzing along the joggers book and this week (lesson 7) came home with D and G major. He is very excited to be on his 2nd study now and is thinking what to do for his 3rd.
He is supposed to be in group tuition too but no one else in the school applied so he has his lesson on his own as after a year on the waiting list they like to teach the children... and not put them off.
He is supposed to be in group tuition too but no one else in the school applied so he has his lesson on his own as after a year on the waiting list they like to teach the children... and not put them off.
Hi everyone!
I´m learning the cello and absolutely love it although it´s the hardest thing I´ve done (oh my fingers are soooo sore!) I came across this forum looking for some moral support. I´m 33 and just about to do my 3rd grade practical exam, I´m terrified, especially of the aural part.
So I´m no where in the league of you guys but I do in some capacity play the cello and would love to hear from anyone who has advice on playing this beautiful instrument.
Stripey
I´m learning the cello and absolutely love it although it´s the hardest thing I´ve done (oh my fingers are soooo sore!) I came across this forum looking for some moral support. I´m 33 and just about to do my 3rd grade practical exam, I´m terrified, especially of the aural part.
So I´m no where in the league of you guys but I do in some capacity play the cello and would love to hear from anyone who has advice on playing this beautiful instrument.
Stripey
Hi Stripey,
Good luck with your exam! Let us know how you get on!
Are you in an orchestra? If not and you get the chance, do try it out because I suspect you would love it.
Others might chip in with "cello tips" on this or other threads - I can't because I don't play cello, although my daughter is having lessons. However I would recommend William Pleeth's beautifully written book "Cello" in the Yehudi Menuhin guides (William Pleeth was Jacqueline Du Pre's teacher).
David
Good luck with your exam! Let us know how you get on!
Are you in an orchestra? If not and you get the chance, do try it out because I suspect you would love it.
Others might chip in with "cello tips" on this or other threads - I can't because I don't play cello, although my daughter is having lessons. However I would recommend William Pleeth's beautifully written book "Cello" in the Yehudi Menuhin guides (William Pleeth was Jacqueline Du Pre's teacher).
David
Hi all.
I am just waiting for my cello to be delivered - today !
I have never played before but I had a go of a friends in our orchestra and decided to have a do it.
My main instrument is piano really which I've played for 5 yrs and violin.
I played violin at school, gave up and at 32 restarted again. It's as though I'd never stopped !
If there's any tips for playing cello,I'd love to hear them.
Fiona
I am just waiting for my cello to be delivered - today !
I have never played before but I had a go of a friends in our orchestra and decided to have a do it.
My main instrument is piano really which I've played for 5 yrs and violin.
I played violin at school, gave up and at 32 restarted again. It's as though I'd never stopped !
If there's any tips for playing cello,I'd love to hear them.
Fiona
Hi Fiona
Lucky you to be getting a new instrument today, as you already play the piano and violin your bound to pick it up really quickly.
Lucky you to be getting a new instrument today, as you already play the piano and violin your bound to pick it up really quickly.
I hope so Lucia.
I've been having a tinker this afternoon. Must try and remember they are virtually the same as violin (violin GDAE and cello CGDA). It's the C that throws me at the mo !
Still not sure if I've got the hang of the position yet - the height etc. But it's FAB !!!
Fiona
I've been having a tinker this afternoon. Must try and remember they are virtually the same as violin (violin GDAE and cello CGDA). It's the C that throws me at the mo !
Still not sure if I've got the hang of the position yet - the height etc. But it's FAB !!!
Fiona
i just started taking cello lessons last year,its my second instument. i also play the piano, and the french horn in my school band. im not very good at the cello yet, but my teacher advises me to take gr5 nxt year. after registering 4 the exam im feeling a bit freaked out...
| QUOTE (indy_epx @ Oct 7 2004, 09:48 AM) |
| Agreed! Cellists don't seem to post much on this site, or else they hide it well ! I've been avidly readying these notices for some time, and there is little mention of this fabulous instrument. But you've changed all that Zoda! I took up the 'cello in Sept last year (at 41!!) having never played a bowed string instrument in my life (play piano - not strings really!). I took it up mainly to be able to help my 5 year old girl start violin lessons and compliment it too. However I've become obsessed with the 'cello and can't get enough of it! I even bought a hand-made new one - now there's commitment (££££)! And it really helps me help my daughter - I know what she's going through, squeaking, whining and scratching almost every note! You'd want to hear the two of us playing together - NOT! Having said that, she's doing grade 1 this December, so we're going in the right direction... It has taught me how challenging a stringed instrument is - and that I've been spoilt with piano all these years! I've heard it said that it can take 20 years to make a good note on a stringed instrument. Shame I didn't start earlier! I had this idea of starting a string quartet in the family (have another child too, too young to start yet at 2 but that just gives me more time!) so I bought a new Viola for the wife (as a Christmas present, at least she tried to look pleased!) - who is musical but has never played anything before! Ambitious? Just a bit - the Viola has been out of its case on 5 occasions since last Christmas! Needless to say, this quartet idea isn't going particularly well at the moment.... But us cellists are determined types, and don't give up easily - or we'd be extinct by now! |
I've just noticed the Viva Cello forum, so this is rather a late reply.
| QUOTE |
| I took up the 'cello in Sept last year (at 41!!) having never played a bowed string instrument in my life (play piano - not strings really!) |
Snap! So did I, but I was nearly 61 at the time. I'm lucky to have found a really good teacher and I'm really enjoying it (not so sure about my husband, though). I've always wanted to play an orchestral intstrument, but didn't have the time or money before I retired. I'm going to do a performance assessment in March - my teacher suggested grade 1, but I didn't think I'd be able to play the pieces well enough (not to satisfy me, anyway) and I'm taking part in the Adult Learners Concert in February - good practice for the performance assessment.
| QUOTE |
| It has taught me how challenging a stringed instrument is - and I've been spoilt with the piano all these years! I've heard it said that it can take 20 years to make a good note on a stringed instrument. |
Me too - but it has been very helpful to my CTABRSM work as I realise what it's like for a beginner on any instrument now - and I can read the music! Perhaps at 81 I'll be a really good player - or not!
Sorry about the quote of the entire posting just now - I didn't think I'd put a quote in here and I can't seem to edit it out. Can anyone tell me if there is an easier way to do a quote than just copy typing it from the original? Does anyone else find it difficult to use this site? I wish they'd do a tutorial on it. I'm normally quite computer literate. Also how do you get the personal information bits in blue on the bottom of your message?
| QUOTE (Suepea @ Jan 19 2005, 04:54 PM) |
| Sorry about the quote of the entire posting just now - I didn't think I'd put a quote in here and I can't seem to edit it out. Can anyone tell me if there is an easier way to do a quote than just copy typing it from the original? Does anyone else find it difficult to use this site? I wish they'd do a tutorial on it. I'm normally quite computer literate. Also how do you get the personal information bits in blue on the bottom of your message? |
Well, I've got some tips for you:
1. If you want to quote long passages seperately, block the paragraph you want to include in your quote by clicking and holding down your mouse button at the start of the paragraph, then drag it down until the end of the thing you want to quote (in case you don't know how to block!
). The text will appear with the colours inverted and dark blue highlighted. Then right click in that blocked text and select "copy" or pres Ctrl+C on your keyboard. Since you know already how to use the quote feature manually by writing [QUOTE] and [ /QUOTE ], write [QUOTE] first. Then right click in the area you want to put the text, and select paste or put your cursor in that area and press Ctrl+V on your keyboard. The text will instantly put there without you having to type it. That's what you mean, isn't it? 2. To get the personal information, click "My Controls" on the top right of your screen. Then you'll have a lot of menus. The blue writing is My Signature.
| QUOTE (Suepea @ Jan 19 2005, 04:54 PM) |
| Sorry about the quote of the entire posting just now - I didn't think I'd put a quote in here and I can't seem to edit it out. Can anyone tell me if there is an easier way to do a quote than just copy typing it from the original? |
Have you been using the "Add reply" button?
1) If you want to reply and quote the original, use the "Quote " button at the top of the window containing the post to which you wish to reply.
2) You are immediately shown the window into which you can type your reply, but below that is another window that you can edit, e.g. removing greetings and irrelevancies.
3) After you have typed something and clicked on "Preview post" (it doesn't work on a blank reply), your window will contain the quote also, within QUOTE /QUOTE tags (they need square brackets round them, but I can't show them). If you want to split the original, so as to reply to different parts, you can add more of these tags, and add your comment after the /QUOTE that closes the first part and before the QUOTE that starts the second, etc.
| QUOTE |
| Does anyone else find it difficult to use this site? |
There are things that I would like to know that I don't. For instance, it took quite a lot of experiment to find how to make something looking like the QUOTE /QUOTE commands rather than actually being them, in which case they execute, rather than displaying. There ought to be an escape character that gets you a display of the character that starts a control tag.
Thank you DGA and kenm for your replies. I'm now going to try and follow your instructions.
It worked DGA. Yes, that was what I meant. (I don't get a dark blue highlight on my screen).
I've updated my signature, so hopefully it will appear at the bottom of this posting.
kenm, I couldn't get your method to work - the only window I get up is The QUOTE one.
There is not another window on my screen.
Thanks for replying - I have learnt something new today!
| QUOTE |
| If you want to quote long passages seperately, block the paragraph you want to include in your quote by clicking and holding down your mouse button at the start of the paragraph, then drag it down until the end of the thing you want to quote (in case you don't know how to block! ). |
It worked DGA. Yes, that was what I meant. (I don't get a dark blue highlight on my screen).
I've updated my signature, so hopefully it will appear at the bottom of this posting.
kenm, I couldn't get your method to work - the only window I get up is The QUOTE one.
| QUOTE |
| ) You are immediately shown the window into which you can type your reply, but below that is another window that you can edit, e.g. removing greetings and irrelevancies. |
There is not another window on my screen.
Thanks for replying - I have learnt something new today!
| QUOTE (Suepea @ Jan 21 2005, 08:29 PM) |
| There is not another window on my screen. |
Did you click on the Quote button or the Add Reply?
| QUOTE |
| Started cello in September 2004 - first concert performance on 26 February! Have a long-suffering husband. |
Wow...you've studied cello for just 4 months or so and you're going to play in a concert already! What will you play?
| QUOTE |
| Did you click on the Quote button or the Add Reply? |
kenm, I used the QUOTE button
| QUOTE |
| Wow...you've studied cello for just 4 months or so and you're going to play in a concert already! What will you play? |
I'm planning to play two short, easy pieces - "A Solitary Walk" from Four Strings and a Bow, easy pieces for Cello by Joan Lovell and Peggy Page and "Air" by Jean-Baptiste Lully from Violoncello Music for Beginners.
I can already play the first piece reasonably
- note range is only D to A, but I'm working hard on the second piece, which starts on upper B to C, then has a nasty interval from A to D, plus one or two other awkward bits!
| QUOTE (Suepea @ Jan 23 2005, 11:27 AM) |
| kenm, I used the QUOTE button |
I'm running out of ideas. One last one: try a different browser.
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