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.