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Learning Cello (probably applies to Violin and Viola) With FaceTime
These are my thoughts about FaceTime cello lessons (probably applies to violin and viola, also). I thought my experience and thoughts might help with other students who face the decision whether to do it, even if studio lessons are an option, not just because you cannot get in-person studio lessons,
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Mouse
April 4, 2020 - 7:38 pm
Member Since: December 26, 2018
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I had my first internet cello lesson today. It was supposed to be yesterday with Skype. Didn’t quite work out and rescheduled for today with FaceTime. My instructor had a mini he hadn’t used in a long time and set it up so we could use that.

Please do not ask what happened with Skype because I really would rather this thread does not meander. I request you stay on topic with comments and questions for others who may be considering FaceTime for lessons.

It went very smoothly. I had my iPad Pro holder set up so that my instructor would be able to see me, my fingering and bowing from the front, or almost front view. It worked, he was able to see and hear clearly. 

I had my music we were working on on my music stand. I had a wooden stool beside me with a notepad, pencil, eraser and music we had recently worked on, and rosin. Everything was in easy reach, but not in the way of fingering and bowing.

It was fantastic! I could clearly see what he was showing me of his fingering, and he could clearly see me. In the studio in the music store, we have to sit angled side-by-side. It was hard to see what he was doing, and the same for him with me. And, what I was seeing of his demos, we not of the proper angle so the perspective was off. I would assume the same was true for him watching my fingering and bowing.

We were able to play together because there was no time delay. That could change depending on how busy the internet is lesson to lesson.  

It was easier to take notes because I had the wooden stool with the notepad and pencil. I could hang up the bow on the stand hook my husband made me, steady and hold my cello, and just use my right hand to wrote down the notes. I could not do that in the studio. I was not able to juggle the bow and cello, and there is no hard surface to put any paper or notebook on to write. Setting it on the floor until I need it does not work because the cello is so large. 

So, my impression and thoughts are as follows. Based on the first FaceTime lesson, I prefer, it to going into the studio.

  1. I did not have to haul the cello into the store and studio.
  2. Because I did not have to haul my instrument in, I was able to warm up right before the session and start my lesson after warming up. In the studio lessons, I would play before heading out, pack up the instrument, drive to the lesson, unpack the instrument and get settled, it was like I never warmed up. Makes a big difference.
  3. Because I was home, after my session ended, I was able to play a little bit of what we went over. Knee issues prevented me from sitting as long as I wanted while the session was fresh, but it was better than not being able to play right after the lesson.

My thoughts are that I am hoping we can continue with it this way, even after the store is able to open again, If I am not feeling well, but good enough to have a lesson, I would still be able to have my lesson. I am very strict about not wanting to bring illnesses into places and do cancel my lessons if I am sick. 

Would I recommend using FaceTime lessons to other people? Yes, I would. I am not sure about a person who has had no instruction. I am not sure how easy it would be to learn proper bow hold and beginning bowing. But, that ability would vary per student. I, surprisingly, was very relaxed. Much more so than at the store studio. This would also vary per student. 

Even given the issue with learning proper bow hold and bowing, if a person has no way to do studio lessons to get started with bow hold and bowing, I would recommend even the beginner try it starting with bow hold and bowing with FaceTime.

👍👍👍👍👍

 

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The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Mouse
April 10, 2020 - 6:33 pm
Member Since: December 26, 2018
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I just had my second FaceTime cello lesson. Like my first FaceTime lesson last week, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are so many pluses to lessons this way. 

  1. I have the ability to play in the set up I am comfortable in, my house.
  2. I have my little stool beside me as always, with my note pad and pencil to wrote notes. I can’t do that in studio lessons. There is no place to set the pad down to write. With my stool, my cello is perfectly safe and stable in my arms while I jot down notes. What a PLUS!
  3. After the lesson, I do the tricky parts for a while. In the studio, I have to pack it up and don’t get it back out when I get home. It is time to get dinner. So, now I can help sink that lesson in immediately.
  4. If I do not feel well, I can still have my lesson because I do not have to worry about bringing it to the store and studio in that store. I am very cautious about spreading colds, sore throats, etc. 
  5. It seems like I am getting more attention because he is able to see exactly how I am playing because he is looking directly at me. I can see more of what he does because he is facing me. In the studio there is not enough room to sit

I don’t know. I just feel so much more relaxed. I feel I am getting more out of it. I feel like I am getting more out of it and I have dropped from and hour to half hour. 

I will give a report after lesson three to make sure it is still working. If it still is working out well after lesson three, I would say that they are a much better format for me.

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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ELCBK
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June 28, 2020 - 3:19 pm
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cid - I was looking thru some older threads & I love your posts!  I appreciate the information.

BTW, I saw a cellist that had a narrow, deep cloth (or leather) pocket in front of the tail piece!  It was "cone" shaped so he could quickly place his bow into it.

I don't know if it was custom or commercially available, but I could see you Quilting one!

 

- Emily

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Mouse
June 28, 2020 - 3:31 pm
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@ELCBK Thank you. 

I am trying to picture what you said about the cone. What I am picturing looks like it would annoy me. I can’t think of any other reason there would be some kind of cone thingy there. I am going to look it up. 😁

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Mouse
June 28, 2020 - 3:51 pm
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Could not find anything on it on that leather thingy. Maybe it was created just for him or her? I googled many forms of what you stated above.

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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ELCBK
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June 28, 2020 - 4:39 pm
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cid - I'm so sorry, it was a "Bass Bow Quiver".  I actually saw it on a Double Bass.

Fiddlershop has one, but I saw many different ones when I googled images!

You may want to modify the shape and placement a little for your Cello.

Here's basic instructions for sewing one - I still think it would be a cool quilting project!

http://sewingwithstrings.blogs.....uiver.html

 

- Emily

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Mouse
June 28, 2020 - 7:09 pm
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Oh, I am not making one. I have hooks on my stand I use. I was curious about what you were talking about, so I looked it up, or tried to. Now I will look at what you were actually talking about because I am still curious.

———

Just looked. makes sense for a double bass

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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ELCBK
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June 28, 2020 - 7:31 pm
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cid- 

Sorry, I guess I wasn't thinking you'd always have your music stand with you.

 

- Emily

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Mouse
June 28, 2020 - 7:56 pm
Member Since: December 26, 2018
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No need to be sorry. That was very interesting.

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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