Play Better Cello.
Prioritize your cello playing, build your confidence and learn to play beautifully so that others will want to listen.
from Suzuki Book Two to Performing Gigs!
Meet Patricia S., the organic Brussels sprouts farmer from Owosso, Michigan 👩🌾
When she first joined my program, Patricia S., (Pooh) was playing cello pieces from Suzuki Book 2 and some bass lines in a band, but she didn't really think of herself as a cellist. 🤷♀️
After taking the Total Cello Immersion Program, with weekly classes, monthly one-on-ones, guest speakers and an online course to follow at her own pace, she now performs solo cello gigs at street fairs and coffee shops and plays confidently for friends and family. 🎉
Here's what Pooh recently said:
"Marcie has coached me from a wanna-be-cellist to someone with the confidence to accept solo cello gigs! It takes a lot of work but it IS possible. PLEASE if you are interested in committing to your cello journey, wherever you are, get in contact with Marcie and check out the many different learning programs she has.
You will not be disappointed." 💃
Do you want to touch people with your music?
Here's what I learned on the streets of New York City...
I sat on an upside down milk crate, weaving magical phrases on my cello that swirled up into the warm evening air. I had been playing solo Bach for about three hours straight, and my fingers were beginning to tire. I hoped that I would be able to pay my rent with the quarters and the dollars that I had collected.
Across the street and beneath the cherry blossoms, a man stood, captivated by the magic of the music.
I was working on a master's degree at Manhattan School of Music by day and working the streets at night to pay my rent. I dragged my cello out there to Christopher Street a lot, and though I certainly loved playing, I definitely felt a lot of shame about playing on the streets.
I thought it somehow meant that I wasn't any good at what I did. I thought if I could just learn to play perfectly, then maybe I could break into the high brow performing world of classical music and get off the streets.
To finally dress in black velvet and perform on well lit stages for sold out audiences. That was my dream.
After completing the Bach, I took a breath and a few swigs of coffee that was laced with blackberry brandy. And then I launched into the opening theme of the Stamitz Viola Concerto.
I played that Stamitz brilliantly, ornamenting the melody with rich chordal harmonies, and adding lightning fast scales and arpeggios to the ends of phrases that had never been there before.
I looked up mid-phrase to see that my sophisticated music loving guy was still there, smiling and swaying to the beat in the moonlight.
I realized then that I had told a fantastic story on my cello, and that my story had touched someone.
My arms were exhausted. And my brain was foggy from exertion.
But I felt really good. Satisfied. Content.
On that warm night, in the heart of the greatest city in the world, for the first time, I knew that I had done something spectacular.
And it had nothing to do with where I was playing, or for whom.
I smiled and collected my money…
I know that there are lots of you cellists out there that aren’t playing as you would like to be. Maybe you are wondering if you will ever be good enough to be recognized as a serious cellist, or if anyone will ever feel touched by your music. Maybe you just aren't playing the music that you dream of playing...
But here’s what I learned from playing on the streets of New York City: When you actually show up, play your heart out and share your music with the world, that’s the magic right there. Sharing who you are in that moment...with whoever is listening.
It doesn’t matter where you play, or who you play for.
If you just find the confidence to tell your story, as you are in that moment, the people will listen.
And you will reach them.
TCI Student Kicks ass at Jam Session: Yesss! Meet April.
April M., the Hollywood Animal Trainer Badass Cellist Checks In...
Thank you, Marcie, for sticking with me
and being the amazing instructor that you are. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My goal when I started working with Marcie and joined the TCI program was simple: I just wanted to hang out with my friends and be able to join jam sessions at the Flight Park. When I began, I didn’t know how to read a chord chart. I didn’t even know what a chord was, or what “conversation” meant in a musical context — the list goes on. For years, I couldn’t get a teacher to work with me because I was constantly on the road with my work in the film industry. But Marcie said, “I got you,” and took me on anyway. Truthfully, I don’t think she fully realized what she was signing up for — but she stuck with me through all of it. And continues to do so.
Last night, it all came together. I felt confident. I had no trouble reading the chord chart, and no fear playing in front of people. And the best part? Someone came up to me and said: “I’ve never jammed with a cello before — and it’s amazing.”
Thank you, Marcie, for sticking with me
and being the amazing instructor that you are. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Are You...
Feeling like your phrases are not beautiful and no one wants to hear you play?
Feeling like your phrases are not beautiful and no one wants to hear you play?
Feeling like your phrases are not beautiful and no one wants to hear you play?
Patricia S. (Pooh) in Owosso, MI went from feeling like she wasn't even a cellist and no one wanted hear her play her Suzuki Book Two Minuet, to performing solo cello gigs!
Feeling like your hands are not coordinated and your playing is not clean?
Feeling like your phrases are not beautiful and no one wants to hear you play?
Feeling like your phrases are not beautiful and no one wants to hear you play?
David in Albany, CA slowed down his practice to become a strong and even player with a beautiful tone and good pitch in his Suzuki Book Three pieces.
Wondering how to make cello playing fun again?
Feeling like your phrases are not beautiful and no one wants to hear you play?
Wondering how to make cello playing fun again?
Susan in Scotland has been studying the music theory with Cello Guru chord charts and finding some freedom in her playing. It's fun again!
I was Faking it In Orchestra! (that's me in the pic...)
Can You Relate?
The orchestra was forging full speed ahead on Mozart’s Magic Flute, but I was just faking it from my 6th chair cello seat. How the heck could everyone play so fast? And why did I suck so bad? 🤦♀️
I thought I was just slow.
Born that way.
Never to play fast on my cello.
Ever. 🐢
That sounds kind of funny now, but at the time, I yearned to be able to conquer fast runs and flourishes on my cello.
I thought if I could do that, I would be such a cool 12 year old cellist… 👧
My brother had a ton of agility and speed in his piano playing. I so admired that.
Well, guess what?
It turns out, speed is something that you can develop. 🏃♀️➡️
You have to work on it daily but...you can actually learn to play fast.
Who knew? 🤷♀️
So get this - Now I can tackle fast passages. I’ve got some speed, strength and agility in my cello playing. 🎖️
I can dance through sixteenth note passages in my Bach Suites that used to totally trip me up… 💃
And I can fly with abandon through jazz tunes like Black Orpheus and Blue Bossa… 🪂
Playing fast is super fun and freeing…and now…well…I’m a really cool over 60 year old cellist... 😎
How did I gain this skill? 🔥
Really it was kind of a mistake. I decided to take my cello with me onto the streets of NYC and play in all kinds of musical groups from different countries…and also in jazz groups…and there were no charts. 🤨
I had to figure out the theory behind the music to make up my own parts. And I started to play scales and arpeggios in order to learn how to do that. 🎵
And also, very importantly, I added dotted rhythms to my practice.
Practicing scales with dotted rhythms and also sixteenth note musical passages in dotted rhythms has helped me more than anything else to find speed in my playing. 🏃♀️➡️
If you are someone who wants to be able to fly on your cello…maybe you feel like everyone else is fast, but you just can’t play fast… I get it! 🎺
Check out this Cello 911 video that I made for you guys.
It’s a basic method but it’s not easy.
You can learn it and apply it to any sixteenth note passage to develop your speed.
In this video, I am using dotted rhythms in a two octave C scale.
Play along with me, and then, add dotted rhythms to your practice for just five minutes a day…I'm telling you, it’s going to change your playing and show you how to play fast.
Let me know how it goes.
And I thought I was just slow... 🩷💚💜
-Marcie 🌹
-the Cello Guru 🧘♀️
PS: If you want to work with me to finally understand how to practice better daily to ultimately raise your level with cutting edge techniques from neuroscience, shoot me an e-mail and we'll talk...Total Cello Immersion is my 6 Month Program for happening adult cellists that are ready to go all in and Play Better Cello. (mar@thecelloguru.com)
What Did I learn from Working with the following Artists?
Luciano Pavarotti, Itzak Perlman, Jaco Pastorius, Ray Charles, Andrea Bocelli, Cirque du Soleil...
I learned that great music comes in many different genres. That musical genius is all around us and amongst us. That following our passion is incredibly valuable. And that there's a place for all of us to sing and to tell our own unique and individual story...
Total Cello Immersion is my 6 Month Program🏆
Aspiring Adult Cellists will find connection here.
- In the Total Cello Immersion Program, you will find a supportive community of like minded peers to support you, and you will get expert cello instruction regularly.
- You will learn the skill of performing through weekly studio class participation.
- In the online video courses, you will be working through instructional videos of both classical Suzuki pieces and pop and jazz improvisation repertoire.
- Our Cello Guru Concept videos will help you to move through constant musical growth with daily inspiration, expertise and confidence.
- By the end of the 6 month program, you will be a happier, healthier, more musical and more expressive cellist who understands the value of your own personal cello playing in the world and exactly what steps to take every day to stay in musical transformation.
More On Total Cello Immersion
April M. in Atlanta, Ga
"The improvement I see in myself from TCI is tremendous."
Katherine E. in Moss Beach, CA
“The Total Cello Immersion Program is fabulous.
I encourage everyone to check it out. I feel like I'm going to University Music School."
Gregory S. in Medford, OR
"I am most appreciative of this TCI Program."
Miriam M. in Boca Raton, FLA
"Well worth your time, energy and money. You will fall in love with the cello all over again..."
Patricia S. in Owosso, MI
“The experience of Total Cello Immersion has been transformational for my playing. I decided it was important to make the time, make the commitment and make the financial investment because this work means a lot to me. I took a leap of faith and invested in myself. I just want to encourage anyone whose thinking about doing TCI to make the
“The experience of Total Cello Immersion has been transformational for my playing. I decided it was important to make the time, make the commitment and make the financial investment because this work means a lot to me. I took a leap of faith and invested in myself. I just want to encourage anyone whose thinking about doing TCI to make the consultation call and join the program because it’s very, very rewarding.”
Vanessa in Queensland AU
"Thanks to the Cello Guru and TCI, I am now a cello addict! My experience with Marcie has been extraordinary and hugely rewarding."
Cello students Speak About Working With The Cello Guru
Jane G. in San Jose
Lindsay K. in Half Moon Bay
Jane G. in San Jose
"Marcie is the most brilliant teacher I have ever had. Brilliant lesson today. Absolutely brilliant! You take us right where we need to go with patience and with expertise. It's amazing to me..."
David L. in Alameda
Lindsay K. in Half Moon Bay
Jane G. in San Jose
"Marcie makes it fun by weaving in a blend of Suzuki Method (how I originally started), folk, classical and improvisation. Her lively personality and keen sense of 'what I need' has improved my playing considerably. Thanks Marcie!
Lindsay K. in Half Moon Bay
Lindsay K. in Half Moon Bay
"I am typically very nervous to share my playing out in the world, but working with Marcie has not only given me the confidence to do so...she makes playing my instrument FUN."
Eric S. in Philly
"...hands down the best cello teacher I have had the priveledge to study with..."
David M. in Maine
Peggy P. in Fort Worth
“The door to a world of cello possibilities has been opened for me…the Cello Guru is an amazing teacher…"
Peggy P. in Fort Worth
Peggy P. in Fort Worth
"Marcie really is an amazing teacher."
Adult Cello Community: Fun Times With the Cello Guru
With Pat G. in front of the famous quilt in Alameda.
With Laurie and April at the Monterey Cello Congress.
With Laurie and April at the Monterey Cello Congress.
With Laurie and April at the Monterey Cello Congress.
With Laurie and April at the Monterey Cello Congress.
With Laurie and April at the Monterey Cello Congress.
With Barbery and Judy in Monterey.
With Laurie and April at the Monterey Cello Congress.
With Barbery and Judy in Monterey.
