Into my fourth week as an adult beginner cello student. My instructor, Tim Anderson, is very encouraging. He says Im one of the better students that he's had. Tomorrow is my fourth lesson.
So far I can play D, G, and C major, scales. This week my exercises have focused on crossing the strings. I think it means to play multiple notes in the same bow movement. He also assigned me a simple song called "In the Garden". It says in my lesson book this is a Japanese folk song. So the notes used intentionally sound dissonant, which makes it harder for me. In addition to dynamics, the song includes slurred eight notes across strings. I was pretty discouraged when I started practicing for this week last Thursday. But I did get 30 mins of practice in yesterday and feel better about it.
Other things I am supposed to be working on is posture, raising my left arm for the lower strings, and keeping my right hand relaxed. Something Ive noticed is that on the occasion I am doing these things the tone sounds like a cello, instead of a loose fan belt that it usually does.
Something else, learning the cello for me right now is more than learning a new skill. Im going through some pretty difficult things in my personal life. Learning and making music is therapeutic. Having a productive hobby and something that enriches my life helps me in the other areas of my life which are unmanageable right now.
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