wow !! has it really been february since the last post ?? time flies whether you are or aren't having fun ...
mid-october all students met at my house and played for each other and their parents. It was a performance class vs. a recital -- nice clothes, not dress-up -- and the tunes played were works in progress rather than polished for 3 months, and the hope was that the nerves would be easy, and the cookies after yummy.
all went very well - all played well. and I gave a brief demo/class (read parents) instruction in holding a bow using manufactured bows (how do I love michael's - let me count the ways...)
oh yes -- also dealing with chemo. as of this date - nov 4 - 3 of 6 treatments done - and doing very well physically -- so well in fact, that I have to kick myself to get more rest -
signing off - and soon back
tonight is Joshua Roman with New Phil -- concerts fri & sat pm. I encouraged my students to come. He is one talented young cellist.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Suzuki - there and back again
ala Campbell, journeys go into the wood, and end with a return home, the traveler changed by the strange and wonderful things seen, challenges surmounted and great perils endured. I wouldn't say there were dragons slain, but 9 days at Suzuki was definately a journey - and ...
I went with an open and inquiring mindset, but wasn't sure how much would make it's way into my studio; most of my students are nt beginners, but wre started in a school program 1-3 years before I see them. After the course, the answer is yes. Items from the class - especially to do with training the bow hand - will be used with all students new to me - starting or not - and more training is undoubtedly in my future.
heads up to current students -- there is definately more listening in your future !!
I went with an open and inquiring mindset, but wasn't sure how much would make it's way into my studio; most of my students are nt beginners, but wre started in a school program 1-3 years before I see them. After the course, the answer is yes. Items from the class - especially to do with training the bow hand - will be used with all students new to me - starting or not - and more training is undoubtedly in my future.
heads up to current students -- there is definately more listening in your future !!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
rethinking fingernails
those of you who have studied with me know that my stance on fingernails has been expressed in one word -- SHORT.... and that if they are not short enough - they get cut before the lesson starts.
.... well .....
I am rethinking that -- and not because of the workshop, but due to the intersection of a happenstance and a comment by a gent sometime back.
The happenstance was a visit to my mother during which I was very busy, and on which I had forgotten my nail sissors - ergo, long nails - and little time for cello.
the comment (made some years ago) was mention that nails are outside bones for the ends of your fingers, supporting the knob of flesh at the end of the finger.
At the moment my nails on 3,4 & 5 are about 1/4" long -- longer than I have EVER had them. At the same time, a childhood of gnawing on my nails reduced the attached part of my nail by ... a good bit... and even with these longer nails, there is still a good 3/8" of finger past the nail (before the end of the finger) and when the finger is in a low arch - only skin hits the string.
FYI - i am trimming first and fourth more -- first so that when more a 'u' shape than a smile (thumb position) the nail doesn't hit -- and fourth because that finger was less bitten, and hence less finger past the nail.
it is a new and interesting idea. so far benefit? more amplitude on the vibrato, which I attribute to a longer final digit, and a slightly longer reach, ditto.
learning, re-thinking, re-considering, growing....
happy summer
.... well .....
I am rethinking that -- and not because of the workshop, but due to the intersection of a happenstance and a comment by a gent sometime back.
The happenstance was a visit to my mother during which I was very busy, and on which I had forgotten my nail sissors - ergo, long nails - and little time for cello.
the comment (made some years ago) was mention that nails are outside bones for the ends of your fingers, supporting the knob of flesh at the end of the finger.
At the moment my nails on 3,4 & 5 are about 1/4" long -- longer than I have EVER had them. At the same time, a childhood of gnawing on my nails reduced the attached part of my nail by ... a good bit... and even with these longer nails, there is still a good 3/8" of finger past the nail (before the end of the finger) and when the finger is in a low arch - only skin hits the string.
FYI - i am trimming first and fourth more -- first so that when more a 'u' shape than a smile (thumb position) the nail doesn't hit -- and fourth because that finger was less bitten, and hence less finger past the nail.
it is a new and interesting idea. so far benefit? more amplitude on the vibrato, which I attribute to a longer final digit, and a slightly longer reach, ditto.
learning, re-thinking, re-considering, growing....
happy summer
day 2? or 200?
in the last 24 hours I have observed 4 classes, had 3 hours of training, eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner meeting folks from all over (and I do mean all over - california, florida, mo, mt, nm, CANADA!) while talking music and life -- and inbetween and amongst this hearing 2 recitals - one by students, and the other by faculty. WOW --
today, and tomorrow, and the day after that will be more of the same. What a trip. Even in my halycon days of summer camp during college, scheduled activity took at most 5-6 hours during the day -- here..... started at 7 (writing yesterday's blog) and finished at 10 (with mandated sound stop) after doing my own practice (you may recall, and are all invited to the concert on July 29) and reading some baroque duos - boismortier - with a suite mate.
This is a teacher training institute - and the pro forma question is whether or not my teaching will change as a result of this week. The easy answer is yes, because everything learned should have some impact on your being, otherwise has it really been learned. The harder and working answer is that I can already envision some tweeking -- and/but at the same time Suzuki is all about teaching the very young - starting 3,4 -- and from the very beginning. Most of my students come from 1-3 years of lessons in the public school system -- and that changes the landscape considerably -- for good and ill.
Signing off -- coffee consumption so far -- no more than 4 cups yesterday. Today??
today, and tomorrow, and the day after that will be more of the same. What a trip. Even in my halycon days of summer camp during college, scheduled activity took at most 5-6 hours during the day -- here..... started at 7 (writing yesterday's blog) and finished at 10 (with mandated sound stop) after doing my own practice (you may recall, and are all invited to the concert on July 29) and reading some baroque duos - boismortier - with a suite mate.
This is a teacher training institute - and the pro forma question is whether or not my teaching will change as a result of this week. The easy answer is yes, because everything learned should have some impact on your being, otherwise has it really been learned. The harder and working answer is that I can already envision some tweeking -- and/but at the same time Suzuki is all about teaching the very young - starting 3,4 -- and from the very beginning. Most of my students come from 1-3 years of lessons in the public school system -- and that changes the landscape considerably -- for good and ill.
Signing off -- coffee consumption so far -- no more than 4 cups yesterday. Today??
Monday, July 5, 2010
Ichi, ni, san -- suzuki !!!
I am currently sitting about 35 miles north of center chicago, in the center of a suzuki fest. Yesterday afternoon there was a cello "play-in" -- close to 90 cellists, mini to non, playing tunes, all from memory. Imagine, if you will, close to 300 students, all with some sort of instrument, and many with parents following, or leading, and many parents with more than one child. Duckling parade, with funny shaped backpacks.
After many many (we aren't counting now are we?) years of teaching, and using the suzuki books (to various degrees) I thought it was a good thing to hear about suzuki from the inside, from people who are truly excited about the method. I have already heard much - some instantly shifting, aligning paradigms, some for more mental chewing.
Suzuki is passionate about starting with the young. The central premise is starting with the very young, and they are very clear about that, and they make no apologies for that. (aka my often used example of Shriners, who tend children who need medical care - phychological issues, don't call them, over 21, don't call them.) So.... should you want to use aspects of Suzuki approach for your situation, grand, but they are interested in starting the very young from scratch.
My teacher trainer is Jean Dexter - one of the first in the SAA - Suzuki Assoc. of America. She joked that she has a 3 digit membership number. :-)
People have traveled from far - new mexico, california - toledo... My class for book 1 is 11 people, and already the personalities are emerging. Has already shown that this will be a very interesting week -- stay tuned...
(ps - I am reposting some of the older blogs from the other site)
After many many (we aren't counting now are we?) years of teaching, and using the suzuki books (to various degrees) I thought it was a good thing to hear about suzuki from the inside, from people who are truly excited about the method. I have already heard much - some instantly shifting, aligning paradigms, some for more mental chewing.
Suzuki is passionate about starting with the young. The central premise is starting with the very young, and they are very clear about that, and they make no apologies for that. (aka my often used example of Shriners, who tend children who need medical care - phychological issues, don't call them, over 21, don't call them.) So.... should you want to use aspects of Suzuki approach for your situation, grand, but they are interested in starting the very young from scratch.
My teacher trainer is Jean Dexter - one of the first in the SAA - Suzuki Assoc. of America. She joked that she has a 3 digit membership number. :-)
People have traveled from far - new mexico, california - toledo... My class for book 1 is 11 people, and already the personalities are emerging. Has already shown that this will be a very interesting week -- stay tuned...
(ps - I am reposting some of the older blogs from the other site)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
... again
taking off for a sojourn with "mum" and launching a new blog site -- similar, different, and uncharted waters with both.
you may have read older postings at a different url -- decided the name was far too esoteric for students, friends and colleagues to find - so this is where I will stay.
4 strings -- on the cello -- and in life -- and to get the url I wanted, needed to get specific with the (current 20th century) pitch of A - 440.
Just finished reading "nurtured by love' the suzuki basis book. He says the same things that society has known for hundreds of years, and which has prompted kindergarten, then nursery school, and head-start programs, not to mention many and sundry title programs for enrichment in the schools.... to wit.... children learn what is there to learn. and the corrollary is that children learn exactly what is presented to them.
One of my summer things is a suzuki institute. Should be interesting as well....
stay tuned.
you may have read older postings at a different url -- decided the name was far too esoteric for students, friends and colleagues to find - so this is where I will stay.
4 strings -- on the cello -- and in life -- and to get the url I wanted, needed to get specific with the (current 20th century) pitch of A - 440.
Just finished reading "nurtured by love' the suzuki basis book. He says the same things that society has known for hundreds of years, and which has prompted kindergarten, then nursery school, and head-start programs, not to mention many and sundry title programs for enrichment in the schools.... to wit.... children learn what is there to learn. and the corrollary is that children learn exactly what is presented to them.
One of my summer things is a suzuki institute. Should be interesting as well....
stay tuned.
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