This technique is where your bow changes string in either slurred or separate bowing. Sometimes we find passages difficult because of the string crossings alone, which can confuse the left hand. It’s a great technique to isolate in studies and practice.
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. 31 Apart from some tricky thumb position exploration, double-stops, and all our favourite high-end of the cello playing, we explore ways to keep concentration up when doing something repetitive… especially towards the end when there is a very tricky passage (Sneaky Popper!) Don’t waste time practising the repeated
Popper Cello Étude No. 31 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. 33 This étude has its challenges. It takes stamina and focuses heavily on the thumb. In this video, we break down lots of ways to approach the aspects that seem initially challenging. We also have a lot of good tidbits in this video that apply to other aspects
Popper Cello Étude No. 33 Read More »
Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 35 This is another study that focuses on distant key areas and strange enharmonic relationships (b natural to g-flat equals a perfect fifth, for example!) The étude challenges our brain in that there are aspects you have to figure out and organise in order to be consistently in
Popper Cello Étude No. 35 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 »