Paying close attention to each fingertip in the bow hand. Firming the connection here can help with greater control and clarity.
Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 27 This is an étude that works on spiccato and sautille strokes, as well as an extended technique that is rarely used in the repertoire – thumb to second finger octaves. Lots of chromatic harmonies here and coordination between right and left hands is key.
Popper Cello Étude No. 27 Read More »
Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 30 We had such a blast exploring Popper 30 with the amazing Martin Johnson (Section Leader of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland). Popper 30 is a unique study – with a key signature of six flats! We’ve explored this study from all angles, plus lots of other
Popper Cello Étude No. 30 Read More »
Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 32 Popper 32 is a study that revisits up-bow staccato; however, it is quite different from the other big up-bow staccato study, No. 14. Namely because the tempo indicated by Popper is quite a bit slower, so the function of how the technique works is totally different and
Popper Cello Étude No. 32 Read More »
Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 36 We were delighted to welcome back fabulous cellist Martin Johnson (Leader, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland) as our last guest of the series for our exploration of Popper 36! Martin brings up some fantastic points about musicality and finding solutions in this study, trusting your instinct with
Popper Cello Étude No. 36 Read More »
Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 37 Here’s a tricky study filled with LOTS of technical aspects… fast shifting, mordents, thumb position which also features on the lower two strings. Working out the mordents takes some attention. Coordinating the right hand and left hands is key – the bow must start before the beat
Popper Cello Étude No. 37 Read More »
Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 38 This étude appears extra challenging with the ‘presto’ tempo marking and the octaves. Starting slowly is highly recommended. Take out the octaves and practice the bow stroke on open strings first. Practicing this in rhythms is very helpful to increase the speed once you can play this
Popper Cello Étude No. 38 Read More »
Practice Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 40 Popper 40 – as the last in the set, this is surprisingly not the most difficult of Popper’s collection of études but rather a very specialized study in natural harmonics. We were delighted to approach this study as it gives our thumb chops some time off! We
Popper Cello Étude No. 40 Read More »