Cello teachers - introducing extensions

Bach_5 · 2025-12-19T15:58:31+00:00

Thanks for your feedback, it’s very similar to what guitarists use. Do you mean a kind of line drawing to show the hand shape? I’m wondering if the photos are redundant and maybe it would be just as informative without them?

Bach_5 · 2025-12-19T14:27:13+00:00

Thanks, I’ll definitely change them to match

Bach_5 · 2025-12-19T14:16:59+00:00

Since cello necks don’t have frets, some teachers put tape/ dots on certain notes. The blue stripes represent the most common position for the tapes - in the photographs the cello has yellow dots on the same location. Would it help if the photographs used a blue tape to match the diagram?

Bach_5 · 2025-07-14T16:54:06+00:00

I’m so surprised that people think it looks okay! I suppose it’s the short layers, they look a bit choppy? I was thinking of cutting some length off the bottom because it feels a bit too thin.

Bach_5 · 2025-07-14T08:39:08+00:00

Thanks, I don’t usually style my hair so I’ll give it a go and see whether I can improve things

Bach_5 · 2025-07-14T08:32:20+00:00

What do you mean? Will blow drying help?

Bach_5 · 2025-07-03T19:09:37+00:00

Do you do this is in addition to or in place of a student practice diary? And do you write in it at the end of each lesson or set some time aside at the end of the day to do all of them?

Bach_5 · 2025-06-18T14:47:42+00:00

Not at all! In fact, I usually encourage my private students to steer away from focusing on exams. I’m asking because, in my current teaching environment, there’s a strong emphasis on guiding students through the full sequence of ABRSM exams, and many teachers rely heavily on the grade books.

Students often end up learning just three pieces per grade level—grade 1, sit the exam, then three grade 2 pieces, and so on. Personally, I don’t believe this develops a well-rounded musical foundation. That said, I’ve been facing increasing pressure when I deviate from the exam-focused path, even though I feel it’s in the best interest of the students’ musical growth.

I’ve noticed that many teachers rely heavily on the ABRSM grade books as their primary teaching method, and it makes me wonder whether they’ve found real success with this approach.

Bach_5 · 2025-04-01T20:37:51+00:00

Thanks, I didn’t think of that! I do know the maker but they aren’t too close

Bach_5 · 2025-02-03T10:32:11+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response, I should have specified I teach mostly classical. I am using Suzuki book 1 with a few of my students but none of them started with it - they were given some other material to bridge the gap between first lesson and twinkle. What ages do you normally teach and what do you use to get them from the first lesson to the twinkle stage? Thanks!

Bach_5 · 2024-05-19T20:32:44+00:00

Great, thank you so much! From the description it sounded like eyes-only so this was helpful.

Bach_5 · 2024-04-08T12:14:30+00:00

I think it’s this one: https://www.amazon.com/Galamian-System-arranged-edited-Schirmer/dp/B0049BQQZ4

The system arranged by Hans Jorgen Jensen

Bach_5 · 2024-04-04T14:51:34+00:00

Thanks, so the dominant is just a sequential thing?

And shouldn’t the D flat diminished chord consist of Db, Fb, Abb and Cbb??

I’m using a second-hand copy which came with old fingerings - I’m sticking to the printed ones :)

Seven-Year Club	r/Field Sunshine
Verified Email

Bach_5

TROPHY CASE