New podcast: David Aks and entry points to improvisation
David was my cello teacher for the last year and a half of my CSUN education, and before that, he coached me in chamber music, conducted the orchestra, led the […]
bolstering your shift practice, part 2
So last post we talked about getting a feel for the distance the arm travels to put the hand in the right place for an accurate shift. Today is all […]
vintage SRCB, part 1: knowing the signs
Post originally published 28 April, 2009. Does this sound like you or anyone you know? Calloused hands, a closet full of full skirts and/or ‘comfy’ black pants, referring to […]
the soul killers
My singing voice is an embarrassment. It is undisciplined, narrow, pitchy, with a number of breaks that make carrying a tune something like driving a car with no second gear. […]
Minneapolis
So I moved to Minneapolis. My heart is still sore from leaving my DC students and colleagues (heck, I still miss my LA folks every. single. day.) but I’m […]
small change, big results 2: improving your practice, as illustrated by English period drama
If we think about the relationship between you and your instrument as a romance, practice can be seen as courtship. You’re getting to know about the cello, finding out about […]
Dear Emily: when you can’t afford a teacher
Image: Carlos Serrao. On a similar note to the previous post, I’m sure I’m not the only teacher who gets emails asking what people should do when they really […]
boo
I’ve been largely resting my arm since February, playing with students and practicing in 20 minute increments. Although it hurt after each session, it would quickly fade and seemed receptive […]
sticky wicket
I need your advice. I have a teenage student who has not responded positively to any approach, though he is progressing as well as anyone who has a […]
I have the best students.
As a thank you for helping him choose an instrument, one of my students drew this for me: a Marine playing the cello. This could not be a more […]
