Everyone Who Has Ever held a cello wants to play the prelude

Maybe you can play the notes... but it's oddly deflating  because...well...Yo-Yo doesn't sound all scratchy and tinny like this...right?

Maybe you hesitate to even call yourself a cellist because...if you can't sound good on the Prelude, then how can you be a cellist?

It's very painful to hear beautiful phrases in your head but have no idea of how to produce them from your instrument...I get that...I have been there...

When you try to concentrate on the bowing,  your pitch falls out of tune.

And when you think about the pitch, the bowing runs out...

So let's separate them and work on each element separately, so that you can actually improve on pitch first, and then on your bowing.

We will work the pitch against drones and open strings. With single bows. So the bowing doesn't mess you up.

And then we will work the bowing. So you can actually get better at this piece and start to play it with precision and fluidity.

Bowing in Bach can be very challenging, so it makes sense that you might be having trouble finding and maintaining a beautiful sound within the phrases. 

90 percent of the cellists I work with are having troubles slurring eight notes per bow on this Bach. It's a major challenge for almost everyone.

It's not just you! 

And hey- pitch is always a problem.  So we always need to work on that...slowly...

So- if you are having pitch problems, and if you are also having bowing problems...

You don't need to panic.

Just take a deep breath...and let's work on it...

Join us for the Bootcamp!

“Last week was a-MAY-Zing! 

As a result, I’ve been enjoying my daily practice so much more. Thank You!”

-Candace M, San Diego, CA

“This is an amazing bootcamp!” 

-Adrienne G. from Sedona, AZ

“Fantastic exercises to gain fantastic competence.”

-Frances E., Lake Murray, SC

"Just HAD to tell you how much I am loving the Bach courses. Wonderful program and instruction.  Fabulous class. Love the exercises and the history discussion. Thank you!”

-Katherine E., Moss Beach, CA

“Love the exercise work from the Bach Camp...it could be used on any difficult piece of music we play. Love it! I am inspired!”

 -Jane G. from San Jose, CA

“Can you come to my house and practice with me every day?”

-Meg F. from somewhere in Vermont

“These exercises are GREAT exercises for getting me comfortable with shifting.”

-Shoo S. from Talkeetna, AK

“This Bach Camp is so helpful.” 

-Peg T. from MN

“I feel great about these classes and appreciate your thoughtful approach to breaking down sections and the exercises…”

-Sally C. in MA in the rain

“Good bow distribution exercises! Love the elevator concept- you see it when people are playing…”

Wendy K., in Santa Cruz, CA

“I’m definitely more aware now of bow distribution after this Prelude camp... I’m more confident now in my bowing and in my Bach...”

-Jane G., San Jose, CA

In this Bach Cello Bootcamp we had cellists from Alameda, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Minnesota, San Jose, Moss Beach, Howell Michigan, Owosso Michigan, Atlanta Georgia, Vermont, Madison Wisconsin, Palo Alto, Blue Bell PA,  Fort Worth TX, Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Florida, Dunoon Scottland, Paris and New Zealand...