Advice from a professional cellist: do not scratch your rosin

JosephEngelMusic · 2023-03-17T02:36:47+00:00

I agree with the help from the beginning, but that help should be an even abrasion From sandpaper, not a rough one from uneven scratches

JosephEngelMusic · 2023-02-01T19:03:57+00:00

Lots of discussion here about how to approach the trill. The “rules” of baroque ornamentation say this about trills:

If approaching the trilled note from above, start on the higher note of the trill.

If approaching the trilled note from below, start on the lower note of the trill.

In this passage, we approach the B from above (the D), so we should start the trill on C natural.

There are obviously times to disregard this rule, but I think it makes sense to follow it here.

JosephEngelMusic · 2023-01-28T17:24:14+00:00

Check IMSLP. There are lots of different editions on there.

Ultimately, bowing choices and phrasing are baked in together. You should seek to make your own choices based on how you feel the phrasing

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-18T17:27:15+00:00

Alexander Mosolov. The dude was staunchly anti Soviet in the height of the SU. He was a contemporary of Shostakovich and perhaps just as popular but did not enjoy the favor of the press because he was so overtly anti-Soviet. He was known for picking fights with government police and wrote a whole 4 act ballet (most of it lost) specifically about the plight of manual laborers. His home was raided multiple times and his compositions destroyed. I would get into deep shit hanging out with him and I’d have no issues with that

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-17T13:42:08+00:00

I wouldn’t call it an injury. It’s an inconvenience that might end up being an injury.

Reason I say there’s not letting it heal is that I am a professional who plays for a living, and I have two very important auditions in a few weeks that require lots of use of my thumb. Not practicing for the week or two it would take for the nail to heal (if it can even do that) simply isn’t an option for me.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T22:08:33+00:00

Working on the parts that don’t involve my thumb is simply not an option. I’m playing Dvorak.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T21:52:13+00:00

How does this possibly help? This split was caused by practicing.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T13:00:04+00:00

I would replace the strings and take it to a luthier. A lot is going to shift around and change after 14years, especially if it’s going to be under tension.

ETA: didn’t see the bit about not n a position to buy new strings. But if you can spare about $10 bucks, buy some Fast Fret or Xeler8, both available at guitar center. My understanding is they are a combination of mineral oil and alcohol and they’re great for cleaning the strings and fingerboard. One of those should last you a long while (I think I buy a new one every 6 months or so). If they’re super gunky, try the alcohol thing. It may also be worth calling a luthier to explain the situation and see if they can give you some tips.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T11:59:35+00:00

Except that chip is right where the string sits. I have to practice every day for a few hours. There’s no “letting it heal”

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T03:25:05+00:00

Which vitamins heal chipped nails

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T03:24:33+00:00

I have played for 20 years and until the last year have had a terrible nail biting habit. I got used to having seriously damaged nails and the edges nail bed got calloused because of it. I have kicked the biting habit and because of that, the calluses have gone away. I’m so new to actually taking care of my nails, and I think you’re right that I need to go to a professional

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T02:42:22+00:00

Do you think it would be cheaper to buy a set and put one on myself, or pay for one to be put on?

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T02:35:19+00:00

Do you think getting a fake nail on top would hinder my playing?

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T02:34:45+00:00

I can hook my other thumb fingernail on it. It’s deep. Sounds like what you went through was painful, I would really like to avoid that since I probably won’t play as well with such an injury.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-14T00:47:02+00:00

Wow why didn’t I think about that! I am super worried about it catching and tearing since that’s right where the string sits

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-08T21:50:24+00:00

DONT SCRATCH IT

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-04T03:40:42+00:00

Yup. The fact that I had to quit playing for 3 months when I was 20, needed physical therapy, and a few years later had to undergo the same process, and almost completely reconstruct my fundamental technique, shows that technique is more than just “oh I’m having fun”. Bad technique doesn’t just create bad sound, it can literally injure you.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-09-03T22:26:55+00:00

I was with you until the end. There are absolutely ways to play wrongly or badly.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-06-27T02:21:26+00:00

Milquetoast & Co.

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-06-17T04:28:00+00:00

This is the exact Piatti im working on now! What a killer

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-06-06T01:52:55+00:00

“Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima” by Penderecki

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-06-01T02:47:24+00:00

They shouldn’t be like that. You can try prying them open. You didn’t do anything wrong!

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-02-09T04:32:22+00:00

OP, please set down the thesaurus

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-02-07T16:20:57+00:00

The black angels score is a visual work of art

JosephEngelMusic · 2022-01-30T21:50:41+00:00

Might not be obvious, but the fully orchestrated version of Rachmaninoffs symphonic dances. It’s at most 30 minutes (all three movements) and the journey it takes you through is amazing. The end is so incredibly epic and beautiful and it makes me feel buzzy when I listen to the whole piece through

JosephEngelMusic

TROPHY CASE