Cello Lessons Mountain

Instruments: Cello

One of my favorite parts about teaching is that oftentimes I learn just as much as the student in the teaching process. For beginner students, I start by working through Hal Leonard's Essential Elements book one for cello. After completing this book of fundamentals, I have the student work through Suzuki books 1-5. Alongside the Suzuki books, I also make sure the student has pieces they can learn for fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Viola, Recorder, Double Bass, Music, Keyboard, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements as I believe it the most comprehensive lesson guide for fundamentals. I do also on occasion utilize the Suzuki method for my string students in addition to EE. Every lesson begins with tuning and scales which helps train the ear and prepare students for the lesson at hand. From there we will go through the pieces as written. Once the student has a grasp of the fundamentals, we will begin to introducing solo pieces such as etudes and other popular music they may be into to keep them engaged. Read More

Instruments: Cello

For beginning students, I focus primarily on good sitting posture, both with and without the cello. We then focus on developing left-hand shape and function, before learning basic scales and tunes. Through consistent reinforcement, encouragement, and exercises, I help my students to build the solid technical foundation necessary to develop mastery of the instrument. I primarily use the Suzuki cello books, the Schroeder etudes, and the Starker method, however, I frequently make arrangements of popular tunes for students if that is what they are interested in playing. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I teach using the Suzuki method with an added emphasis on note reading and theory. The Suzuki method is a lot more than just using the Suzuki Repertoire. (In fact, I supplement the Suzuki method with pieces my students use a lot such as Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells, some pieces from Solos for Young Cellists, etc.) So what is the Suzuki method? Suzuki revolutionized the way of learning an instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Recorder, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Double Bass, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Oboe, Bassoon, English Horn

I ask all of my students to be prepared for their lessons with a notebook and pencil for lesson notes and assignments. I ask them to bring any materials they have and will often recommend books and supplemental material I have had success with. I believe in writing down notes that help students understand what they are learning, exactly what students should practice, and setting goals for their practice and overall progress. Read More