Suzuki Book 1 - Lightly Row for Cello and Piano
Once you’ve got it down, go find a pianist to make music with you! One of the great things about learning an instrument is the relationships you build while making music with others. If you just learn the piece to “pass it off” then you are robbing yourself of so much of the enjoyment that comes from learning to play the cello. The piano accompaniment to Lightly Row is very simple and you might be surprised how much having that other instrument adds to your own enjoyment.
Pro Tip
If this performance isn’t quite the right speed for you, don’t forget that YouTube can speed or slow down any video. Just go to the menu and select playback speed. Lightly Row can be played faster or slower.
As you play Lightly Row from Suzuki Book 1 for Cello and Piano, make sure that your posture is setting you up for success down the road. Here is a “handy” posture checklist:
- Posture – feet flat on the floor, cello between your knees, touching at your sternum, sitting straight up, shoulders relaxed, elbow out like a kickstand, straight EWP (elbow-wrist-pinkie)
- Left hand – thumb and fingers bent (making a “C”), fingers arched and contacting the string with the pad of the fingertip, thumb bent and under 2nd finger
- Bow path – bow travels straight across the string (t-bow), midway between the fingerboard and the bridge (forte-freeway)
- Bow hand – thumb slightly bent, index finger touching the stick between the first and second knuckle, hand pronated, fingers slightly apart — not overly spread or bunched together
- Keep fingers down as you play – as you ascend the string don’t lift the finger you just played when you place the new finger. As you descend place all 4 fingers and then peel off the fingers one by one.
- Check intonation – verify your intonation. Play with the video, use a tuner, watch your hand in a mirror to check that you are on the tapes. Don’t assume, verify.
HAPPY PRACTICING