Cello Lesson Number 12

Yesterday, September 11, 2026, I had my twelfth cello lesson with Ana Ospina at New School of Music.

Practice Session Notes

From Suzuki Cello School Volume 1, I practiced “Allegro” (including playing with a backing track), “Tonalization,” D scale, “May Song,” “Song of the Wind,” “O Come, Little Children,” and “Perpetual Motion.”

From Blue Book of Tunes I practiced “See Saw” melody and harmony, “Sad Brother John,” “Slow Slithers,” and “Songs & Dances.”

I practiced scales, sometimes playing with drones (which is very relaxing).

I practiced playing softly.

This morning I went to Luthier Collective to try bows with Mariia Gorkun, and I have a bow on loan for two weeks to try out. Eva Broadway was also there, and I ordered replacement strings for my cello.

A couple of days ago the bunion pad came off the back of my cello; Ana had put it there two weeks ago as a landmark for my thumb. I wiped the glue off with my microfiber cleaning cloth.

Lesson Notes

Ana tried the bow I have on loan, and she said she likes it.

Ana had me play arpeggios in D major, C major, and G major. Then she had me play scales in the same three keys.

I need to try to connect my notes better; my bowing was awkward during the lesson. String crossings are a problem for me; Ana tried to improve this, but I didn’t have the coordination to do it right.

From Suzuki Cello School Volume 1, we played:

• “May Song” (Ana said I’m done with this)
• “Allegro” (I have played this better at home)
• “Perpetual Motion” in D (very rough)

Ana introduced me to “Long, Long Ago.” From Blue Book of Tunes, I sight-read “Bingo”.

Assignments

I will work on the following pieces for my next lesson:

• From Suzuki Cello School Volume 1:

  • “Allegro,” p. 13
  • “Perpetual Motion” in D major and G major, pp. 14–15
  • Tonalization, arpeggios, G major scale (p. 15)
  • “Long, Long Ago,” p. 16
  • “Allegretto,” p. 16; start with pizzicato

• From Blue Book of Tunes:

  • “Bingo” melody, p. 31