Cello Playing for Music Lovers: A Self-Teaching Method Spiral-bound – October 3, 2023

“Cello Playing for Music Lovers” provides beginner and intermediate adult cellists with an authoritative, step-by-step guide to learning how to read and play music on the cello. It assumes no prior musical knowledge, progressing slowly and clearly from choosing a cello to providing beautiful yet simple melodies that encourage playing by ear while learning to read music. 131 audio tracks, free to download, demonstrate virtually all of the musical examples, principles and songs, and are integrated throughout the book, which also includes illustrative photos and fingerboard maps of hand positions. Written in five parts, early sections explain how to read music (notes, rhythms) as well as fingerings, bowings, scales, keys and chords, while later sections teach higher hand positions, music theory and structure, and improvisation techniques. Exercises drawn from Folk, Pop, Jazz, Showtunes and Classical music genres keep it stimulating and entertaining. There is great pleasure to be had in just learning the instrument and bringing forth beautiful sounds. There is true joy to be had in sharing those skills by playing with others. A new “Playing With Others” section in the second edition expands on delivering effective preparation. Included are fun and easy-to-medium piano/cello duet arrangements of ten classics from the Great American Songbook, with full scores and parts, that help build comfort and confidence before moving on to guidance about playing with larger ensembles, classical or contemporary. Working with a good teacher can certainly make the complex process easier, but not everyone has access to, or can afford, private lessons. Written out here are the fundamentals from a learner’s perspective, making reviewing easier for both the self-paced self-learner and those taking lessons. Checked for accuracy by a Julliard DMA but written by a retired professor and avid amateur cellist, the warm, first-person tone makes a potentially daunting process accessible to all. Read more