1 comments about Essential Elements for Strings: Cello Book 1 (Essential Elements for Strings).

1. If your are just learning cello with a teacher, or on your own, This is the book to buy. It teaches all the basic steps. For example, It shows where the fingers go, It will show you how to bow. If you do not know how to read music, this book will teach you bass clef, which is what you need to know to play cello. This book also has practice songs and will help your learn to play cello step by step. Just keep in mind that this is book one, to advance there are more advanced books as well. I highly recomend this book if you are trying to learn cello.

4 comments about The ABCs of Cello for the Advanced, Cello, Book 3.

1. For the beginner , this book is a waste of money. For some one who is more than a beginner, it is acollection of musical pices ranging form the beginner to advanced, and there fore may be useful. It is essentially devoid of instruction.



2. I made it to this ABCs of Cello Book 3 and as an adult beginner a year ago and a half ago, I thought it would be impossible for me to make it this far on the cello, but I have. I owe it to the ABCs of Cello books! I started out with book 1, then 2. This book 3 has an intense introduction and coverage of 3rd position. It covers double-stops (playing 2 strings at once), fiddle tunes, forward extensions, shifting exercises, 3 pages of scales and spicatto bowing. Alot of warm-up drills and over 40 tunes!
   
   It's great! Cello is the best!



3. I used to play cello in highschool and then dropped it completely for 20 years. I am finding these three, beginning, intermediate, & advanced books very useful.
   The beggining book has a nice mixture of melodies and instructions, and I quickly got back up to speed. To get the most out of it, you really need to sit and read it as well, small phrases can be passed over that are very important, such as "try to think about the musical phrase while you play" is easy to overlook while practicing, but important to keep in mind.
   Having played before I am finding myself flipping back and forth between books, but even the begginning book has some lovely pieces that with changes in emphasis or repeats become compelling pieces for performance.
   The emphasis on these books is on finger positions and placement, and by the time you get to the third book you may have outgrown this series. (They say a virtuoso cellist doesn't think about placement, just uses the finger that best fits the flow of the piece and the transitions needed - but it is important to learn these things, then take liberties.) I don't think any book can help you with intonation, phrasing and musicality (listen to YoYo Ma CDs for that), but this is a very good practice series with a good variety of pieces.



4. I purchased the ABC's of cello collection (1,2,3). As a beginner, I have to say that this is an AMAZING series. I was a total beginner when I started using the first volume. I rented my cello and started learning with the first volume. I used the first volume for the first two months before moving on to volume # 2. I have purchased numerous other beginner books, but this one is the best by far....If you are a beginner and want to learn the cello, this is a must !

1 comments about 170 Foundation Studies for Violoncello (1) [ILLUSTRATED].

1. This is the classic technique and etude book for cellists. From the very easy to the quite difficult, this study book gives plenty to work on in technique, fingering, bowing, and many other aspects of cello playing. Unlike many etude books, "the Schroeder," as it was (fondly & often unfondly, due to the level of difficulty!) called, will not take the student a short way then run out, leaving the cellist to go out and purchase yet another etude book. The student could easily spend a year or two with this book, and on indefinitely as a way to "keep on one's toes."
   
   In a way, it's ironic that I find myself providing a review for this book, as the exercises were often grueling (to me) and elicited many a groan. Not a lesson passed that my teacher did not assign several of these exercises in addition to whatever else I might be working on. (In fact, there was so much material to work on again and again that I never went on to Vol. 2 -- though it could have been due to changing teachers when I left for college to pursue my cello degree.)
   
   At any rate, the Schroeder offers a wealth of material to sharpen technique and facility, and for that I highly recommend it. It will put you through your paces!

3 comments about Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi Performs Suzuki Cello School (Volume 1 and 2).

1. I ordered this expecting what I consider a cd-rom, perhaps pictures of the sheet music, explanations/instructions for the student, something other than just music; however, this is not the case. This is just simply a music CD. In that respect, it is a fine CD, as it allows our daughter to hear how the Suzuki songs should sound on the cello, but be warned, it is not interactive.



2. Take almost 2 months to receive the product but it is a good item with excellent condition



3. Even though I don't practice the Suzuki method, I still use the music, and I have found this a good way to learn the pieces. After several months of listening to this, my cello skills have improved, and I have discovered that listening to the tracks makes playing them easier.

5 comments about The Spanish Bow.

1. I initially picked this book up from the library and enjoyed it so thoroughly that I bought one for me as well as one for our son. He loves classical music but usually not novels about classical musicians. He's been as entranced by the book as I was.
   
   I spent my sophomore year of college in Valencia Spain in 1973-1974, when Francisco Franco was still at least nominally in power. Ms. Romano-Lax captures the feel of Spain in a more limited scope than Michener did in Iberia, but just as true to the culture. I loved her use of the Spanish language for a few concepts that can't be captured in English. Other reviews here summarize the story line well. I hope Ms. Romano-Lax continues her fictional pursuits. She's found her calling.



2. The Spanish Bow was a gift from a friend, and what an excellent choice! The characters are rich and deep, with the main character uniquely drawn from the musical elite. His relationships are strong and real and captured me from the start. This author's style is rich with visual images and true-to-life dialogue. A great read!



3. Andromeda Romano-Lax does a masterful job of showing the development of a Spanish prodigy into a young cellist who serves King and Queen before becoming one of the great musicians of his time. Her deep knowledge of music and the cello itself makes this quite an education into the musical context that saturates the life of her character. As time moves along, the monarchy falls, the Spanish Civil War erupts, and the life of the musician is swept up in the coming of the Second World War. Andromeda Romano-Lax is a great story teller, but more importantly, she is able to bring the reader inside a complicated but fascinating life and mind.



4. i received this book as a gift. it is not the typical book i would choose to read, but i'm so glad i did! the spanish bow is delightful. it is set in a time and location i knew very little about, so it was an opportunity to learn in an interesting way. i was quite surprised to find it a compelling read. as i ended each chapter, i was never ready to put it down for another time.
   very well-written, wonderful story. i highly recommend it, and will be waiting for andromeda's next novel.



5. I loved this book from beginning to end. Its depiction of Spain during what was arguably the most dramatic decade in Spanish history is thoroughly evocative and absorbing, and the theme of friendship throughout makes it a wonderful gift. I think I've bought it for at least 10 friends as birthday presents.

2 comments about Bach's Cello Suites: Analyses and Explorations.

1. I do not play cello; nor do I have any background in music theory. Rather I have been trying to learn classical guitar and eventually the Prelude to the First Cello Suite was assigned. I found about a half dozen different guitar transcriptions that all varied and I could not understand why nor put together enough understanding of the piece to make it more than many measures of moving notes to try to memorize - and forget about being able to do any nice phrasing or dynamics. So I jumped at the chance to purchase this when I saw it for sale.
   
   What Dr. Winold has done in this pair of books - one text, the other annotated musical examples keyed to the text and including all six suites in their entirety (note to guitarists - in bass clef and in the original cello keys, of course!) - is provide a miniature course in music theory and composition. He walks through each suite movement by movement and defines the overall structure of the dance forms Bach used for the suites; he compares what is here by Bach with other music of the same time frame; he goes over how musical tension can be created and then resolved within the music; he describes how groups of notes can be repeated in a piece and ways that the patterns can be varied as phrases are developed; he shows how various harmonies and counterpoints are implied rather than fully stated since the cello can typically only play one note at a time. (It is in how they convert this implication of harmony for cello into the multiple notes that a guitar can play at once that the guitar transcriptions all seem to differ - with precedent since Bach did the same thing when he transcribed such music to lute or keyboard.)
   
   I find it fascinating. The books may be a broad overview of music theory with not quite enough material to fully cover any one topic, but there are enough references to additional information that it enables you to get excited about something here and then go learn more - and not so much info presented that you forget that you started looking into all this to better appreciate what are really some wonderfully sounding pieces of music!
   
   If I knew how I'd send a thank you note to Dr. Winold for the month of pleasure I've had with these books.



2. I purchased this book to aid in my graduate theory project. I am a cellist and a graduate of Indiana University. Dr. Allen Winold was my music theory/history professor freshman year. His wife, Helga Winold, was my private teacher all four years. I knew from the moment I saw this book on Amazon that nothing would compare. It is the most clear and thorough analysis of the suites that I have encountered. The book is divided into two volumes in order to appropriately reference the compositional material without trying to squeeze it all in one place or fragment it. I highly recommend this book to all cellists, especially if you are studying the suites.

5 comments about The Adventures of a Cello.

1. In 1720 the elderly violin maker Stradivari made a masterpiece: it was known as the 'Red Stradivari', but it wasn't a violin - it was a cello. Under its new name, the Piatti, it left Italy on a tour, to eventually become the author's key to success. Here is the history of Piatti, from its creation through its different owners. Cello players and classical music enthusiasts will relish this affectionate survey.



2. Prieto's fascinating account of his famous cello's life is just the base upon which he gives a wealth of information about cellos, cellists, the cello literature, performances, and the world of the classical musician. Cellists and anyone appreciating cello music will find many portions they can use or be amused by.



3. I loved this book and you don't have to be a cello enthusiast to enjoy reading it. Some parts are a bit slow but the good stuff makes up for it. Prieto has a personable writing style and obvious emotional attachment to his cello that is infectious. He structures the story well - his path to cello stardom is unusual and offers life lessons to people of all ages. He draws the reader in early with the tension behind "How did HE end up with a Strad cello???" The book is kind of a smorgasbord of music trivia/ commentary, including and engaging (if informal) overview of the great composers from the past to the present (much better than the historical overview in The Cambridge Companion to the Cello). Lastly, he is also of an age where his own life story is begins to offer a window into an era gone by. Sr. Prieto will be on your "dream dinner party" list after you read this. Buy the book and pass it on...!



4. My husband, a professional cellist, received this book as a gift. He enjoyed it immensely. He has sent at least 5 of them to other cellist friends--some professional, some who just love to play. All reports from those who have received this gift have been wonderful. Highly recommended to those who play... and those who don't... there's a lot of interesting information about the instrument, the musicians who play and teach, and the world of music.



5. This is a facile read...an entertaining and enlightening account of the "life" of a priceless Stradivari cello since its "birth". Along the way we learn briefly of the various characters who played a significant role in the cello's life history. The first part of the book gives a review of famous stringed instrument makers and the construction of these instruments. Ideal for either the interested "aficionado" or professional musician.

2 comments about The ABCs of Cello for the Intermediate, Cello, Book 2.

1. This cello book 2 covers so much. It has an intense introduction of 2nd position on the cello, over 40 tunes including familiar fiddle tunes like Turkey in the Straw. Lots of preparation exercises (called warm-ups in the book), scales and arpeggios, triplet and 16th note rhythms, etc. As a beginner a year and a half ago, I never thought I'd be this advanced, but I owe it to this series of books. I am now in ABCs of Cello book 3, a real gem, but you have to follow the system and begin with book 1 of the series which I did.
   
   Cello is the best!



2. I used to play cello in highschool and then dropped it completely for 20 years. I am finding these three, beginning, intermediate, & advanced books very useful.
   The beggining book has a nice mixture of melodies and instructions, and I quickly got back up to speed. To get the most out of it, you really need to sit and read it as well, small phrases can be passed over that are very important, such as "try to think about the musical phrase while you play" is easy to overlook while practicing, but important to keep in mind.
   Having played before I am finding myself flipping back and forth between books, but even the begginning book has some lovely pieces that with changes in emphasis or repeats become compelling pieces for performance.
   I actually moved into book two before I was finished with book one completely, but I still go back into book one for refresher exercises. At least once a week I have a practice session where I go back to basic things to work on fine tuning technique, and this graduated system is very good for that.
   Listening to good cellists and a teacher can help you with phrasing and musicality, but this book is very good on basic technical information with an ephasis on getting the finger placements correct and working each one.

2 comments about Suzuki Cello School: Cello Part Volume 1 Revise Edition (Suzuki Cello School, Cello Part Volume 1).

1. I started learning the cello with Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations in book one of the Suzuki Cello School. Ever since I first learned those notes, the Suzuki Cello Method has challenged and amazed me. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Suzuki method to anyone who wants to learn to play an instrument while playing recognizable songs.



2. There is very little instruction orminformation. Successful use of this booklet is dependent on quqlity instruction from your teacher. The booklet it self is esentially devoid of helpful information.

3 comments about The Art of Cello Playing: A Complete Textbook Method for Private or Class Instruction.

1. This is a very useful and intelligent book for beginning cellists. There is a wealth of information about cello technique, and an abundance of musical and even physical exercises (along with detailed instructions on how to read music). I am very glad I bought this book -- it's a gem.



2. This book culminates a top quality effort in pedagoy in cello technique. It is intended for beginners in the cello, but probably should be on every amateur cellist's book shelf as a valuable resource guide. There is probably a good three years worth of material here. I'll let you know when I finish it!

   This effort to present the art of playing the cello in a systematic way--a "cello method", however, both enhances and detracts from the lasting usefulness of this book. If you follow through this book step-by-step, and gain some proficiency in a topic prior to moving on to the next topic, you will eventually learn the cello.

   But the systematic presentation makes this book difficult to use in diagnosing difficulties in technique that are the result of improper form, or motion. The material is there, but sometimes it takes a good while to find the exact presentation you are looking for. But still, the author's insight into the difficulties students tend to accumulate are well worth the effort required to track it down. Who knows, maybe you will learn something else while you are perusing the book. But I find it difficult to come up with an approach that would accomadate this usage, so I do not criticise this. On the contrary, I think more non-beginning amateurs should get this book for this purpose! The effort is worthwhile.

   The only criticism of this book that I have is that it does use pictures to show posture, and so on. I am sure that in the early editions of this book, the pictures were wonderfully clear and illustrate the subtleties of form and posture precicely. But the current printing quality leaves a lot to be desired, sadly. It would be well worth someone's time to replace the pictures with line drawings, which do not lose content as the printing quality deteriorates. And a fingerboard chart would really be helpful.

   This book is a definite must!




3. This book uses illustrations, words, and music examples to explain every aspects of cello techniques, which I found interesting and useful. The look of the pages might not be as colorful or flashy than many other books, but you would have more fun out of it and really build up a healthy playing foundation for all cello music.
   
   The author introduced the fourth position after the first position - a method I also use on all my cello students - which helps greatly in developing a good shifting habit. This is a very interesting and efficient approach, and I suggest all the cellists and teachers out there to give it a try!