Not that you’re looking for anything more to complicate your practice, but I did something fun the other day. Try to play through a substantial portion of your current piece (I was sparring with old Saint Saens) using just one…
I’ve never really gotten into the term “Master Class”. First off, it just sounds scary. Second, it usually is scary! And yet, it is a valuable part of the pre-professional and college level experience, fear and all. I like the…
Those are the call letters for Cable Airport in Upland, CA. I took a whole day off of teaching and volunteered to man the Angel Flight booth for a few hours, along with some other folks with more aviation experience.…
Here’s the form for participants/attendees to fill out and return by February 6th. I hope the pricing doesn’t terrify too many of you. The rates are shy of what I charge here in LA, to try and encourage a lot…
Attention cellists of Austin Dallas Atlanta Miami I am coming to your area to conduct some master class seminars and give some private lessons! Here are my tentative dates: Wednesday. February 25th, private lessons/possible master class in Austin, TX Friday,…
I am planning the initial master class/private lesson tour, and in order to make it happen, I would like a few things: 1) a point person in each stop to help bring people in, even if just to watch. General…
My teacher told to me: 7) Take the thing you hate the most and make it your favorite. You know that measure that twists your fingers into a knot, befuddles your bow or just sounds plain awful? Well meet your…
My teacher told to me: 6) Practice sightreading at least once a week, if it’s not already part of your routine. There are few tricks to getting better at sightreading. You just have to do it; preferably with a metronome.…
My teacher told to me: 5) Go slow, go fast, go slow again. The hallmark of erratic driving is a great test of true grasp of technique and timing. Take a short piece or study that you have roughly under…
My teacher told to me: 4) When you can’t practice your cello, there are still ways to practice being a better musician. Let’s say you’re away from your instrument during the holidays for more than 3 days (the amount of…