I took a cello lesson today

[LKB]

It's a beautiful clef, learn to love it!*


Alternatively, play it as if it's bass clef, only one string higher. This, of course, is no help when you're high up the A string, where most tenor clef stuff is. But you'll learn those notes quick enough because they're so common

Luke (sometime cellist)

* Beautiful, see?

Prelude to Tristan und Isolde, beautiful indeed.

[KevinP]

re: tenor clef.

For someone with a degree in composition, I really should be more fluent in the clef. Since I'm now learning an instrument that uses it, I decided to finally learn it (as opposed to decipher it), even though I'm nowhere near the point where I need it for my cello playing.

I do see quite a bit of ledger lines here, but I think bassoon, trombone, etc. use them more.

Might be selling the cello in about a year because my sabbatical has just been approved, which will be spent in New Zealand starting a year from now.

My original plan was just to just keep it here, but my wife suggested selling it and getting a better one when I return. Won't argue with that.

[KevinP]

Not a complaint because I'm having fun,  but I'm surprised by how many things I've had to buy.

I mentioned USD250 for the cello, which included a bow and a bag.

But in addition, I've also bought:
* a mute (as I live in an apartment)
* rosin
* endpin stopper
* a chair
* a rug (Arguably I don't need the rug AND the endpin stopper, but the stopper is for learning posture, and the rug, like the mute, is for the neighbours)
* full-length mirror. Not essential but recommended from several different sources for beginners.

[KevinP]

My instructor is talking about a 'concert' for me now (with other students). Being self-taught in piano and guitar, I never had to deal with this before. Even in college, I managed to test out of the piano classes (despite the prof dismissing my untrained technique) and lucked out of the exam in another class.

It is, however, an amazing motivator.

[Kalevala]

Good for you for sticking with it!

K

[relm1]

Oh good for you!  Yes, playing in a concert performance does amazing things to make one practice!  I hope we get to hear it. 

[Florestan]

My instructor is talking about a 'concert' for me now (with other students). Being self-taught in piano and guitar, I never had to deal with this before. Even in college, I managed to test out of the piano classes (despite the prof dismissing my untrained technique) and lucked out of the exam in another class.

It is, however, an amazing motivator.

That's fantastic! Good luck!

[Kalevala]

That's fantastic! Good luck!

Wait, aren't we supposed to say "Break a leg"?

K

[Florestan]

It is, however, an amazing motivator.

Please keep us informed about it.

[Florestan]

Wait, aren't we supposed to say "Break a leg"?

K

In this case, I'd rather say "Break a string!" 

[prémont]

Wait, aren't we supposed to say "Break a leg"?

K

Is this the English (or American) version of "Hals- und Beinbruch"?

[Kalevala]

Is this the English (or American) version of "Hals- und Beinbruch"?

From what I found out via googling, yes.

K

[Kalevala]

@KevinP How are the lessons going?

K

[KevinP]

On pause at the moment, but I've not given up.

I moved out of the apartment complex I was in (and where the teacher also lives), so it's much harder to arrange a time that works for both of us--a situation compounded by her just having delivered a baby.

Come September, I'll be on a sabbatical year in NZ. I'm certainly not bringing my cello with me, but I do plan to look into renting one and finding a teacher there once I get my living arrangements straightened out.

[Kalevala]

On pause at the moment, but I've not given up.

I moved out of the apartment complex I was in (and where the teacher also lives), so it's much harder to arrange a time that works for both of us--a situation compounded by her just having delivered a baby.

Come September, I'll be on a sabbatical year in NZ. I'm certainly not bringing my cello with me, but I do plan to look into renting one and finding a teacher there once I get my living arrangements straightened out.

I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your teacher and not being able to bring your cello there.  Hope that your new plans work out and that you enjoy your time in NZ [I believe that you have been there before--perhaps are from there?].

Best wishes and happy trails to you,

K

[KevinP]

Thanks. Not from there, but I studied there and did a previous sabbatical there as well.

I'm an American who's lived in Korea since the end of the last millennium. I say NZ is my third home, but I so rarely go to the US anymore that NZ should probably be promoted to second.