Sunday Sessions @7
Sunday Sessions @7 is a one-hour Zoom “mini course” delving into details of technique, practice methods, and music theory applications to the cello. Each month offers a different focus consisting of two classes – one at the top of the month and one towards the end. Pick and choose what concepts interest you – a la carte! The first class introduces topics, exercises and explores the range of what works for cellists all over the world! In the second class, we will revisit concepts and wrap up any thoughts from the month -- show and tell is encouraged!
Formatting: Group class with individual breakout room time
Time and Location: 7-8pm EST on Zoom (link given at booking)
Pricing: $30/each class
January: Pumping Iron! (1/7 and 1/28)
New Year, New You: this month’s focus is all about strengthening, toning, and understanding the purpose of your bow hold. We will explore multiple different bow holds, looking at some of the most famous holds by renown cellists (bent thumbs are a thing), practice strengthening your hand and finger muscles to gain control over the bow. Different tone production with various bow holds will be part of the discussion.
What to expect: 2-3 exercises demo, check-up list for the month, supplemental videos for reference
February: Faster Than a NY Minute (2/4 and 2/25)
A short month goes by so fast and this month is all about speed — how to unlock the wrist, control and practice (ironically) very slow! We will explore how to open your bow arm to create fast strokes, how to methodically speed up passages with metronome without sacrificing tone and contact point. This is a great class to build on the previous month’s work on the bow hold.
What to expect: 1-2 excerpts of fast passages, metronome practice, check-up sheet for the month, slow-mo to fast video demos
March: Spring Cleaning (3/3 and 3/24)
This month is all about cleaning up intonation, honing listening skills, breaking down tough shifts and bow timing, looking at key areas (leading tones are higher!), and exploring finger/arm positioning for optimal intonation
What to expect: taking apart 1-2 passages of tough intonation, shifting practice, critical listening, practice progress sheet
April: Shake it, Shake it: Introduction to Vibrato (4/7 and 4/28)
A month full of wobbles, slides and vibrato. Slowly introducing vibrato techniques like big slides, rotation of the left arm and loosening up the bicep, playing loud siren noises, looking at fast/slow/wide/narrow vibrati, working on individual finger strength.
What to expect: 2-3 exercises and scale practice with vibrato, check-up sheet for month, video references
May: What’s in a Name? Introductory Music Theory (5/5, 5/12 and 5/19)
Slightly different format in May with three classes instead of two. Materials needed: manuscript paper, pencil, cello on the side
5/5: Building Major Scales from Scratch
5/12: Building Triads and Common Chord Progressions (Pop, Rock, Jazz)
5/19: Finding Intervals in Songs (e.g. Tritone interval heard in “Maria” from West Side Story)
What to expect: lecture-type of class, weekly worksheets and review exercises, cello on the side for demonstrations of topics (“try and see for yourself”)