Regular disciplined practice is the daily "work" of a musician. I encourage my students to practice six days a week. I believe that students can progress very quickly. The route to developing confidence and artistry is through engaged and self-driven daily practice, with a positive " I will figure it out attitude." I encourage my students to approach practicing as problem solving, skill building to develop more and more power of expression:
Six days a week they should plan for:
daily exercises to build skills and flowing musicality such as scales, bowing exercises, shifting exercises
and larger pieces that need to be broken down into small chunks, played slowly, analyzed then attempted again, pick up the tempo, analyze again, and eventually construct a lovely creative presentation over time from all of the highly crafted sessions working out the musical challenges.
This discipline, dedication and focused, goal oriented work builds much confidence over time.
It is important for studentsto always have stated personal goals and deadlines such as : recitals, performing in youth orchestras, regional try outs, recordings, and competitions, and to be striving at all times for one's highest achievement on the cello.
In lessons I encourage students to develop their proper balanced posture, their listening ears and their critical thinking skills.
We work out guidelines for effective practicing so students can model their home practice on strategies used in lessons.
With this foundation, practice sessions are very productive and creative from the start.
Cello students learn that:
daily scales and arpeggios build a core tone, bowing and shifting technique,
bow technique exercises develop bow balance, articulation, flexibility, versatility and power of expression
etudes teach one phrasing, shifting, bow technique
and the outstanding performance of the glorious cello repertoire is the culmination of all of that daily work .
This determination to work hard with set goals on the cello produces a creative, confident, excited cellist!
Through attending live concerts, hearing their peers, performing in ensembles and listening to recordings and watching great artists on you tube, , young cellists are quickly drawn into the beautiful web of the cello repertoire and practice in order to perform new pieces which they've heard and love. I strongly encourage my students to take piano lessons simultaneously with cello, and to begin studies in music theory and ear training at a young age. I also encourage each student to set personal goals to constantly improve their core technique by daily practice of scales, arpeggios, shifiting and bow technique exercises.
Together with each cellist, I design a curriculum based on his/her interests and goals, following guidelines from my own professional development, and sources such as American String Teachers Association Cello Syllabus and The Royal Conservatory of Music Cello Syllabus. As each cellist has individual goals and needs, I research the best approach to technique, and the correct repertoire and etudes. This coaching and dialogue builds confidence and technical ability so each cellist can unlock his/her own beautiful tone and develop his/her unique connection and contribution to music.