Lesson #2

So I basically taught myself the G-major scale from scratch, but now I have a scale book, so it's all good. Score! My teacher kinda forgot that I had a lesson the other day, but it's the holidays, so no sweat. My folks have kept asking me if my cello lessons were free and whether or not I was giving her piano lessons in return, as a kind of "barter system" trade. No, I replied, I'm paying her! which was the truth. I am giving her $20/ lesson and paying her with a check every five lessons. So far, I've had two so far. So far, so good! So, after a peek at the immaculate main part of the house (oh, your niece was over playing-- playing the cello??-- no, just playing), and a quick glance at the upright in the living room, we headed downstairs. She was dressed in a black jumper, which was good-- no distractions! In any case, I got my cello out and assumed the position. Of course, I'm still managing, but am doing well with it all. I mean, it was only my second lesson after all. Haha. But seriously, I am incredibly tense in my shoulders and probably my arms as well. Should probably get a massage before my lessons (!). Well, we settled down then to playing something for her, so I gave 'Twinkle, Twinkle' a go, not having heard back from Nellie. It went well. Of course, I had to tune the cello again, or rather, have my teacher tune it for me, but it's all good. Then, we played together with me picking away. It was great! Having never played in an ensemble, it was a great feeling to play a string instrument with another string instrument (!). Haha. But seriously, it WAS great and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Then, we went onto 'Go Tell Aunt Rudy' and 'Lightly Row', which are both some of my favorites, although my all-time favorite in D major would have to be 'Allegro'. Haha. But seriously, it was fun and we worked on my bowing technique et al as well. We played both with the bow and 'pizzacato'. Finally, we went over the G & C major scales and she gave me the scale book. With a tip of the hat, then, and a happy new year, I was back out in the cold, headed to the Safeway store nearby for to buy some ham. Sweeet. Peace~ B.

First Lesson

Well, my first lesson took place the other day and it was a BIG success! I took it with one Laura London, who is an excellent teacher, having graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music. First of all, we went over the proper technique for holding the cello, as well as the bow. One could virtually spend an entire lesson going over the proper bowing technique, but suffice it to say, we went over the pizzicato scales first, starting with D major, my late music director's favorite key! Lol. But seriously, it was good, having marked on the cello with a pencil the proper place to place one's fingers for the proper scale, as well as where to place the thumb, being marked with a little sticky pad. No, not your typical "sticky pad" per se, but one that would suffice nevertheless. It's all good. Well, then we progressed to a point at which I played through half of 'Twinkle, Twinkle', which happens to also be the first piece in my new book following the Suzuki method. Yes, I'm using Suzuki, as recommended to me by Ms. London. It seems good to me! Besides, I have it on good account, being that of one Johnny-Mac, that this is indeed a good method, as Jonny started in that very same way, as did Ms. London. Like a doctor, she skillfully maneuvered my arms and hands into the right configuration, making sure to note that I needed to loosen up (!). Well, it was my very first lesson after all, and that was all well and good. Perhaps I needed a massage? Haha. Well, no matter. She did not take me up on my subtle hint, but no matter. Maybe next time? Then, we went over the D major scale, after correcting the position of the cello so that it was positioned with the cello resting against my chest, which was supposedly totally correct. Then, it came time for the bow. Supposedly, I can practice with a pencil (or pen?), using it like a mini-weight such that my hand contracts in such a way, similar to that of the action with the bow. Using a pencil will help to build up the muscles in my hand hopefully enough. Then, it's off to the races! Another thing I can do is to use a squishy ball/ tennis ball and use that for my left hand, so that I will assume that position on the cello whilst playing. I will also practice with my hand off the cello, and then coming back to assume the position. With enough practice, I should be able to attach my hand lightly to the neck of the cello and find the right position. Then, eventually I should think I will have enough practice under my belt to find the finger positions without looking. Some such practice is similar to that on the organ when my feet can find the right pedals without looking even. Soon I will be able to play simple pieces, like 'Twinkle, Twinkle', and already I was assigned three, but told to go on if I had mastered those, of course without mistakes et al. I shall practice this evening before choir, I should think, and see how it goes! That's all for now. Like I said, a successful first lesson by all accounts, and looking forward to the same time next week, which will fall right between Christmas and New Year's and a day before my next piano lesson. Good times! Haha for now. Peeeeeeeeeace. -B.

Twinkle, Twinkle

As I wrote to my grandmother in Texas the other day, who is turning 99 (!) come February, I have recently learned how to play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on the cello. It is a great accomplishment to be sure, and self-taught for the most part. Now, I know how to play it both on the higher register, as well as the lower, which I believe is an octave below or so. In any case, very pleased with my progress thus far and hoping to play "Frere Jacque" and "Row, Row Your Boat", as well as "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Waterfall" as well in the coming days. You see, I'm building my repertoire! Lol. Well, that is good. Unfortunately, I realized recently that I will not be able to take at the Levine School of Music with Vasily, as it is too expensive. Furthermore, I also realized that even if I could afford it, it would be a waste of time. Why? Well, for one thing, I'm not very advanced on the cello, having just learned "Twinkle, Twinkle", as I say, and so what? Am I going to perform this piece at the next Levine recital? I think not!! Well, could be fun, but that's not what I'm paying the big bucks for these days. What am I going to pay for? Well, I've partially worked out a deal whereby I will trade piano lessons for cello lessons. Brilliant, no? Well, that is, that is the thought. You see, I still want to pay "Laura Embassy" for her time, but just at a rate of half-price perhaps, then making up the difference with piano lessons. Of course, this is a brilliant idea on my part, but not exactly new to me. My father, who is also a fan of the cello, suggested it really in the first place. So I owe him that I suppose. My mother does not want to pay for my cello lessons. :( But will still pay for piano when the time comes? In any case, looking forward to taking beginning cello lessons with Laura when she gets back from wherever she went to, and also looking forward to learning more songs on the cello. She teaches, it should be noted, out of her house. Not quite sure as yet if she has a piano, but she will undoubtedly text me about it. Now, as for my cello, and its location in my house, I'm currently keeping it in the third floor study. My study. Which is all well and good, except that I'm a little concerned should it get too cold. My mother suggested the bathroom as a good alternative. But there, I'm also afraid that it could get stepped on or might fall over in the night. Hmm. Well, there aren't really any good alternatives, but certainly I want the cello to stay in good condition, not only for my sake but for potter's as well. Well, we shall see. That's all for now. Thanks much! Best, B.

Practicing the Cello via YouTube.

Well, one can only get so far on the YouTube, but it is fairly helpful overall and I'm looking forward to commencing actual lessons shortly. So far, so good. This guy teaching cello on YouTube must be from Romania or something, because he has a peculiar kind of accent, but he's growing on me. He started off by having me play open strings with first long strokes, then doubled strokes, then four pitch changes on one stroke. There followed some dictation on playing 'pizzicato' which was mildly interesting. I basically just skipped that step as I am a musician already. And then, it was off to the races playing scales. Learning these notes will undoubtedly take time, but I am off to a good start. Now, just to make a note of it. I am being extra-special careful with my rented cello, being careful when I take it in and out of the case for instance, treating it like my new little baby. It really is. In any case, I have been sure to hold it fairly properly, although looking forward to gaining some instruction in this regard as well, but so far so good. Already I have been able to get a nice sound out of the cello. So, this is good. And my parents are very proud that I have undertaken this new instrument. As for how I will pay for my cello lessons, well, that's another matter. I have a good teacher, I think, so we shall see. I must write to him shortly. But for now, let me say one more thing about the cello. I have been keeping it in the third floor room with an electric heater in it. Hopefully, the cello will not catch on fire (!). But seriously, there are concerns about the cello as it relates to the temperature of the room. Not so sure about the humidity levels as yet, but the temperature must be maintained at a fairly constant one. Furthermore, severe drops or rises in the temperature are to be avoided and there is a kit for ensuring that no cracks develop. Lest I reiterate it, there is absolutely no insurance on this cello, so I have to be extremely careful with it. I cannot think if anything were to happen... Be that as it may, it is a very nice instrument and I am very glad to have gone to Potter's. They run a good business. Furthermore, it will be interesting to see what Vasily recommends in terms of beginning exercises and music for the cello. I am looking forward to my first lesson, possibly on Tuesday. Certainly, the Korean lady who played before me on Friday must have been very skilled. It is certainly to be hoped that her skill on the cello can be matched by her good looks (!). haha. Well, we shall see. All will be revealed in time. My adventures on the cello continue!

And it all began with Potter's, a teacher, & the would-be cellist named Ben.

And so it began with a simple e-mail message to Levine. Well, actually, it started when I signed up to the email list at a Levine School Concert given by one Mr. Peh, quite an accomplished pianist to be sure. But my aspirations this time around were not singing or piano this time, but cello. Yes, I will be commencing cello lessons shortly. With whom I am not quite sure, but the good news is that I have procured a cello and that is all well and good. But to speak truly, I have never played before. Yes, I could not resist getting it out the other day and having a go, but let me relate my trip to Potter's.

Like a scene from a movie, I drove to Bethesda without telling a soul, save my would-be cello teacher named Vasily, who is obviously from Russia. Well, that is good, is it not? In any case, after our meeting at the Levine School at which point Vasily dumped a poor Asian mother and child out of his room, I played some Rachmaninoff for him, as he was asking me the question: "Why cello?" Well, get up I did and played him a little of the Prelude. Then, he says to me, "Ok, Benjamin, I get it. You play piano." I thanked him heartily and went on my way, waving to the friendly Hispanic leaf blowing men as I went. Then it was on to Wisconsin Avenue for to find a cello and soon and very soon I was there at the place: Potter's Violin Co. Yes, like Harry and Ron and all the rest. But that was not the point. the point was that I was there and I had found it finally. Then it was into the rental shop for to rent the deal. I had already called in to speak with one Melanie about putting an instrument on hold. And that was that. A nice man caught me ogling over the cello and violin music, noting the music to the movie 'Harry Potter' was indeed on the shelf. But pick it up I did not. Instead, I turned to the nice man who rather resembled in person and voice a certain Mr. Rogers from PBS fame. He was quite cordial and soft-spoken and asked me if I had indeed ever played the cello before. "No," I admitted, "I have never played before." And then I told my story. Well, the important parts, that is, and that was all well and good. I signed on the dotted line and that was that: I had my cello. Well, for the time-being, at least. Huzzah! Well, it's like my supportive parental unit said, "It's sometimes better to journey with a cello, then to actually journey at all." And that is my sentiment at the moment myself, although my good friends from Bulgaria are in town. Too bad I cannot play for them.. yet! The sky's the limit, however, with this cello and a hope beyond hope is to be able to play it but I'm already watching the Youtube videos on how to play and I was able to manage some sounds out of it so far. It is quite a novelty and I'm looking forward to playing some actual pieces, including those of my own composition (!). So stay tuned!