So, I had my cello lesson yesterday. I actually did a pretty good job with that Minuet I from BWV1007  we were working on. He was very pleased. It really came together the last couple days before my lesson. We have moved on to Chanson Triste. He said, “You can so do this!”

I told him the issues I thought I had and he just said, “You have the ability, and the know how. You can definitely play cello. You just lack the ... ... finesse, which we are working on.” That was a boost.

Before we moved on, he asked, “Have you ever considered joining, (he gave three initials here)”. I asked what that was and he said it is a little local orchestra. Ah, I remembered, the same one my very first cello instructor pressured me about.

I told him that I really don’t think I could do that. He asked if it was because of not having time. I told him that was not the issue and explained.

I told him that with my very first cello instructor back in 2013, I was pressured for many weeks by this instructor to join, even though I told her I just cannot play in front of people (I play much better at home than in front of my instructor). I told him that I finally told her that I would think about it, just think about it. The following week she started just using that orchestra music for lessons. The cello consisted of around 12 measures of sitting it out and counting beats. The rest was mostly one note being played over and over and over. I was paying for a half hour lesson of counting beats and playing one note over and over. Cello lease was up and I opted not to buy it and gave it back.

I also explained that I simply cannot play in front of anyone. As a matter of fact, when I had guitar lessons, my instructor had to keep asking me to play louder. LOL.

I told him that if I ever changed my mind that I would let him know. It really is not for me. I enjoy reading about everyone’s orchestra or other performance experiences, but, for me, I just want to play for my own entertainment and peace of mind.

We had a great lesson. The hour lesson is really helping out. We can spend quite a bit on scales or triads, the song we are working on, and things I have questions about because I think I need help with them.

Chanson Triste is beautiful, and has a lot shifting. AND it is in tenor clef. Fun, really it is fun, not being sarcastic. I love leaving first position, and learning tenor clef is also fun. I feel a lot more capable after this lesson yesterday.