Cello Lesson Number 14

Yesterday, October 2, 2026, I had my fourteenth cello lesson with Ana Ospina-Edwards at New School of Music.

Practice Session Notes

I keep a detailed practice journal, and I’m getting better at making a plan before each practice session. I practice on average about sixty minutes per day, but I feel like I need ninety minutes per day or more to cover all the material completely.

My last lesson was two weeks ago because I went to Cape Cod for five days. I practiced 6 hours 0 minutes before this lesson. I practiced scales with drones. I worked on trying to get more control of my bow. One day I recorded myself playing the D major scale, and I played along with it as a round.

From Suzuki Cello School Volume 1, I practiced “Allegro,” “Perpetual Motion” in D major and G major, with variations, “Long, Long Ago,” “Allegretto,” and “Andantino.” I played some of these with a backing track at 60% or 70%; I was unable to play any of these at performance tempo.

From Blue Book of Tunes, I practiced “It’s Raining” the morning of my lesson.

Lesson Notes

My bowing is very awkward, and I don’t play smoothly. Ana had me practice “painting” with my right hand to mimic how I should be drawing the bow. I need to practice long bow strokes.

I asked about exercises for slurs, and it turns out Ana had assigned me an exercise in Blue Book of Tunes but I had neglected it: “Scales with Slurs” on p. 38. Ana had me practice slurs while doing scales. Ana said I should vary scales by playing triplets and other rhythms. Ana recommends doing scales with a metronome and a drone, which I’m already doing. Ana also recommends that I warm up by doing some of the earlier Suzuki pieces such as “French Folk Song.”

Ana observed that I’m pulling my left elbow in when playing on the A string, and this is causing me to shift my fingers and play out of tune; I need to correct this habit.

We played the duet “It’s Raining” from Blue Book of Tunes. From the same book, I played “Ode to Joy,” which contains slurs. I played “Perpetual Motion” from Suzuki Cello School Volume 1; I need to improve my staccato.

From Suzuki Cello School Volume 1, Ana introduced me to “Rigadoon,” which I have listened to but not played yet. That’s my new Suzuki piece for the next week.

I asked Ana about upcoming performances. She has joined the Boston Chamber Symphony, and their first performance this season is on Saturday, October 17, at First Church in Cambridge; I walk by this church on my way to my lessons. Ana said her student recital is coming up probably in November.

Assignments

• Suzuki Cello School Volume 1
  • “Second Finger Training (Preparatory Exercise for “Rigadoon”)”; C♮, F♮
  • “Rigadoon”
  • “Perpetual Motion,” working on staccato
  • Continue practicing old pieces, including “Andantino”
• Blue Book of Tunes
  • “It’s Raining” p. 32
  • “Scales with Slurs,” p. 38; painting, rocking, speed of bow
  • “Ode to Joy”
    • “Warm-Ups” p. 34
    • “Duet” p. 34
    • “Melody” p. 35; slurs
    • Record “Duet” and play “Melody” along to it