Here goes with my first post about my SP lessons!
Grant had his cello lesson yesterday. Last week’s lesson was not very productive, as he had left his bow at home. I did give him the full size bow to use, but he is the type of kid who will have trouble with change, and using a bow he was not used to was frustrating for him. My big push for Grant’s technique is to get him more aware of his bow angle on the cello, and making the adjustment to keep to bow straight. Particularly on “up-bows” many students will not break the wrist inward enough to keep the tip from pointing up. Grant is making big progress in this regard, but it really only works when he pays attention to it- otherwise, of course, old habits prevail… He said that he used up most of his practice time on the SP assignments, which is good, but for his ability level, I want him to focus on the solo and technique things we do a little more. He can play the group repertoire easily- maybe this is why he prefers to practice it! He’s working on Song of the Wind as well as O Come Little Children at the moment.
Emily is another cello student of mine. She LOVES to play, and it shows! At our lesson last week, she had gone ahead two pieces past her assignment, and has a good start. Both parents are musical, and she is encouraged a lot at home. Great kid to work with… She is a good example of having to cope with physical differences in her playing. Both of her pinky fingers are short and kind of bent at the last joint. This changes the typical angle against the string or the bow. We have talked about this, and she is coping well. Sometimes people have to come up with their own technical solutions- just because it is not normal does not mean it cannot work.
Emmilene is another sweet kid who is fun to work with. My main challenge with her is to encourage her to raise her own demands for her playing. When I ask her to play something, she will say “OK, I’ll try…” when I want her to begin to assume she has the skills to complete it successfully even if its sightreading. I’ll write some more about her after or next lesson.
Let me know if you have comments or questions!
