Aisling taught from the inside out which is the only way, the pupil was put first; hence she did not play much for us, only by way of demonstrating a point. This was very clever because we all found our own way of expressing our playing, as opposed to it being imposed on us. This method of teaching was brought home to me when Aisling brought over the great teacher Phyllis Young from the University of Austin, Texas. I only recall her playing two bars from a piece for the entire day, but the most striking thing about Phyllis was the way she treated a little girl of only 6 years, with the same attention and diligence as she did with those embarking on a professional career.
Learning should be fun, with the work incorporated. In my classes the teacher does the work, and it is my responsibility to ensure that you learn. We sing everything and then transfer what we have sung onto the string. Now some of you may have had a bad experience at school, especially in the school choir where you may have been told by someone who did not know any better, that you could not sing, maybe even thrown out of the choir. Very different from what the great Hungarian musician and teacher, Zoltan Kodaly said, “that it can take a child up to two years to find their ‘voice’”
Do not be afraid to take up the cello. If you don’t know how to read music, let that be the least of your worries. When you were learning to talk, did your mother hold a book up to your face? No, of course not. I take the very same approach with music. Can you read the newspaper? If you can, then you can learn to read music.
I welcome adult beginners of any age. Some people have had a desire to play the cello for a long time but through other commitments did not get around to it. You do not need to go out and buy a cello to learn; in fact the only thing I would ask them is not to buy a cello on their own. When the time comes the most important thing is that they should buy a cello from a reputable shop, where you can go back if any little adjustments have to be made. Some people have come to lessons with a cello that is unplayable because the strings are too high or the pegs that hold the strings are loose. These adjustments should only be done by an expert. To get a new cello properly set up for playing costs approximately €800. If a pupil locates a second hand cello I will be glad to look at it for them. Aisling got me my first cello for £12.00.
Adult beginners often worry about ‘do I have to take exams?’ The answer to that is that you are coming to learn and play the cello and make music. If you decide at some point yourself that you would like to try and experience playing in front of an examiner from the Royal Irish Academy of Music or the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music in London, or some other examining board, then you could do that.
Learning music is a process, with different staged, irrespective of which instrument you are learning. Learning music should be a positive and affirming experience, even if you go into the music profession full time it should never involve fear. Music is a sublime and noble thing, and it is my job to call forth what is already within.
The following are not requirements:
- Your age
- What you look like
- Where you come from
What is a requirement:
- I would like to try playing the cello.
If you would like more information on learning the cello, click on Contact Details. |
