How To Write Better Instrumental Music
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- Опубліковано 4 бер 2024
- Composer Christian Henson steps out of his comfort zone and takes a beginner's lesson on his favourite instrument, the Cello. Veteran cellist Alice Allen reveals the fascinating secrets the Cello holds while taking her new student through the basic techniques and positioning, which, needless to say, is harder than it looks!
The Crow Hill Company Website: thecrowhillcompany.com
Instagram: / thecrowhillcompany
#cello #cellolesson #celloist #composer #music #musiclesson #celloplayer #composing #musical
Fabulous!!!! More videos like this. This so fun, interesting and educational. Plato would be proud.
We do it all for Plato! 😂thank you we’ll keep more of this kind of stuff coming!
Alice is a great teacher, loves her instrument, has a deep knowledge of it and can convey the concepts! Awesome.
In French the sound post is called "l'âme". The soul.
You stole the words from my head. As soon as you said Cello I thought of Fame. Some absolutely fantastic musicians playing amazing songs in that film and the series too.
I recently inherited my grandfather’s cello. It’s been passed around a couple of family members since he died in 1976, and it is in need of some care, strings, etc. I’m getting it fixed just to hear it again, to play it once more holding the same bow as he held in all his concerts as far back as WWII and a little beyond. Thanks to your post, I know now where to begin learning. It was serendipitous. I knew I’d have to search the Internet eventually. I have been trained on the piano, so that may help as far as theory goes. I don’t think I’ll ever qualify as a cellist, but who knows. Thank you. By the way, I’m studying orchestration and have the Spitfire BBCSO to work with. Always a fan.
I would love to see a serie of videos like this about different instruments, with different players !
As a composer who is not a cellist but owns a cello, I can say that it is my most beautiful sound design tool & textural color to add to my productions. I can play slow simple melodies and it levels up the entire piece! The cello is probably my favorite instrument! Lovely video!
somehow the chello always hit me right in the soul. Its such a beautiful instrument :)
I know right! It feels like it resonates at our frequency or something like that
Wonderful video Christian. My top 5 must saves is "slightly" biased to instruments I play or would love to play: 5.French Horn (a majestic instrument) 4. Sax (can be incredibly emotional, and emotion is the heart of all music) 3. Piano (can do everything) 2. Flute (the instrument that sings) 1. Clarinet (always emotional and rich in sound).
I love Cello. There is something in the sound of this instrument that is just mesmerising and enchanting.
I do like "sad" music and Cello seems to fit right in the range where I could just sit and listen all day.
Great video. Thank you.
Thank you for enjoying it! I think there’s something behind the physical weight of the instrument
Wow, that cello is more than two centuries old! Profoundly deep and rich sound. I can only imagine the asking price for an instrument of that caliber.
Alice, It is so wonderful to see you teaching Christian how to play, and good for you Christian for trying something new. Do you feel a deeper connection writing for strings now?
It’s amazing how brave he is! Especially to put it on the eternal internet 😂 he talked about it quite deeply in our last livestream podcast, you should check it out!
Since nov 2023 i have been taking cello lessons as well (as being a composer myself). I owned the cello for 3 years now and never really learned the basics. Learned so much already. My greatest task now is practice, practice, practice... Keep it up Christian!!
ps. 5: duduk. 4: oboe. 3: classical guitar. 2: piano. 1: cello
5: Guitar. 4: Harp. 3: Bass. 2: Piano. 1: A 16 piece mixed choir.
Please consider Alice for a CHC release. Her tone and ability is on point. Her Labs was just a taster I feel.
Very fun. Just before watching this I asked myself If I should learn playing the cello as part of learning something new. See you in Edinburgh Alice.
Thanks to you and Alice for this. Iv'e wanted to play cello as long as I can remember and like you christian, it's up their with piano, even tho bass guitar is my primary instrument. Cheers!
I needed this video! Definitely getting myself a cello this year 😮💨
I did not touch or even think about the cello until i had my first class at the age of 55. Its a whole universe by itself. The feeling of everynote vibrating in the chest is one of the untransferable experiences worth hours and hours of dedication and patience.Congratulations!!
I loved this! Thanks so much! Cellos deeply move me.
I loved this, Alice is such a great teacher. I was sitting here, totally cello-less but holding a ruler with the "bow grip" to "play along" with you. I also agree the cello is an absolutely mesmerising, beautiful and haunting instrument. Great video, thank you.
Really enjoyed this Christian, thanks so much. Alice's teaching skills really shine through even in the short lesson, her communication and approach to get those basics skills down shows her experience. Having a great teacher like this can make a world of difference for students. Would love to see even more of her in these videos.
I have always liked the idea of learning a Cello, as a guitarist, I would be halway there but i've never got round to it. Saying that people in their late 60's learn has given me an idea :)
Very interesting and engaging to see this about instruments we usually don’t know anything about. Would be good to see a series of these. Knowing more about the real ins and outs of the instruments that make all the samples could really help how we play the samples in our work and how to shape automate them into something that maybe sounds even more authentic. When you have a big orchestral library it’s hard to know how you should be using all the expressions and dynamics to sound authentic. It was also interesting to hear just how much that cello keeps making noise well after the bow has left the string, I’m not sure that’s always captured in libraries? Could be good to have that option.
I picked up the cello because in school, they came and told us next year we had the opportunity to join string orchestra, and they showed us the instruments - I went to the cellos and I got to try it and immediately realized I could do Jaws. I was sold instantly and forever.
I absolutely love how you describe how it is to feel the cello against you when you play. When I was studying, I would do what I was taught as aural meditation to helpe really focus my ears (since you play by feel and ear together for the tuning of notes), and when I was in that focused mind-space, the feeling of my cello's different vibrations for each note was a really powerful feeling. It really is indescribable how an open C string feels when you play it beautiful and full. I won't get all transcedental about it - it is just remarkable and unique.
I sadly never got a similar feeling with the violin, except that the pressure of the high notes next to my ear made me uncomfortable. Which is a shame - I'd love to play violin even somewhat well.
Thank you for sharing this delightful exploration! I really appreciate that you and Crow Hill are diving so much more into what makes music - musicians and composers alike. It is a loving, ongoing conversation of discovery, and I really love it.
wow, alice is a terrific teacher! so nice to see you approach this with such humility and openness. i'd love to see you do more of these.
I agree with you Mr. Henson (humble student & great composer) that the cello is the most expressive instrument that can produce the greatest range of emotions. Alice is a gem. Looking forward to seeing more of what she does at Crow Hill co.
Hey, silly American here.
Love music, love creating.
Love her accent.
Everything spoken holds my attention. Absolutely mezmorizing and magical.
And Cello atop it all!
Can we get an Alice library? She is the Swan to Christians Crow.
😊
Swan Cello Murmurations perhaps or Swan Song …a new vaults library.
I really enjoyed this Christian. I started making (yes, building) and simultaneously learning violin, viola and cello at about the same age as you are now. I figured that if I was going to make them, I should learn them so I know what a player needs. At this stage, my instruments are excellent, but I sure wished I had started learning earlier. I missed much joy by waiting. And yes, I think it will make you a more sympathetic composer.
Cracking video, and most enlightening to hear how the resonance gut-punches the player - no wonder they play with such passion and emotion. Anyway... 5. Tenor trombone 4. my Korg DW8000 3. 12-string guitar 2. cello 1. Uilleann pipes.
I defy anyone to listen to the cello version of John Williams conducting Schindler's List theme without feeling the emotion. I find it mesmerising and always, always brings moisture to my eyes. Simply one of the most expressive instruments. Excellent video. Thanks to Alice and yourself.
So glad Christian and Alice are working together.
Can we get weekly updates on Christian's cello progress?
Marvelous! I used to play at school until the neck of my cello got snapped off by the closing doors of the 234 bus (epic bundles to get on in those days...).
What a lovely teacher Alice is, another great video Christian 👍
That is horrifying! As someone who studied cello through university, that just breaks my heart.
@@bricelory9534 To be honest, it belonged to Croydon Council and I was horrible little comprehensive school kid. Looking back though, I was lucky to get the experience of playing in an orchestra and hearing classical music at the Fairfield Halls. This was the 80's. You don't appreciate it at the time. It's a shame so much money is being cut from arts and music these days... Still, 2p NI cut so I guess we'll all vote Tory now (warning: may contain sarcasm)
Top 5 - 5. Cello (sounds great even with beginners, I have the cello spike scars in my legs to prove it - great cello teacher - loads of cellos in my classroom) 4. French horn - lyrical, powerful 3. Double Bass - resonance, bass vibe... 2. Flute - whistful, difficult embouchure - had a friend that could play one 'circular breathing' totally freaked me out 1. Bass clarinet- what a sound, deep resonant full of character- played one once, and the feel was amazing on your embouchure.
I played Trumpet for 16 years and sadly never mastered circular breathing ..a la Miles Davies et al….🙏🏿🙏
Top 5. ..1 ) Piano …2) Viola…3) Cello….4) A vintage Stratocaster … and finally ..zero humour intended ..Tubular bells .
A beautiful instrument!
It is indeed! Especially when Alice plays it!
Beautiful instrument. I used to have lessons when I was young and really enjoyed playing it. Now I play piano mainly. I’ve always loved the cello tho… I think you’ve inspired me to get back to it 🙂
Amazing. I think I'd put cello at #1 also. Julia Kent's utterly wonderful music convinced me.
I agree, the cello is supreme! What a great video!
I started on the Cello 2 years ago in my late 40s and I love it. I played violin as a kid and being a guitarist helps, but I get completely lost in playing it.
Been playing cello for two years now. It IS indeed soooooo hard 😅Took me about 6 months to not sound like a dying cat, now I just sound like a slightly sick one lol. Worth it though!
Great! More videos like this!
The french word for the soundpost is so poetic, it is called "l'âme" (the soul) 🎻
It is definitely a more appropriate name!
What a site ...Christian playing the violin😀
WE NEED RECEIPTS! PHYSICAL EVIDENCE! BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEOS 😂
I’ll keep it with my Gibson Les Paul 😂
Great video 👍👍👍
5) Acoustic Guitar
4)French Horn
3) Flute
2)Piano
1) Cello
French horn sure is popular tonight!
Christian, congrats on your Dune Two Work!!. can you tell us what exactly does a Digital Instrument Preparatory do?. Enjoying this channel, keep up the great work!.
Fantastic!!! Now I want to try a cello. 😊 How do you know how far the spike needs to stick out?
You should definitely try it! It’s all to do with adjusting the height for the player 😊
1. Timpani
2. Violin
3. French Horn
4. Cello
5. Double Bass
No clarinet in there?! 😫 it’s a solid list though!
The cello is pretty good but the daxophone has a wider timbral range. I also like the fact that it is named after the badger.
You can play Col Legno Tratto and it will sounds good :D
Thanks for the recommendation let’s see if Christian can handle it 😂
i play keyboards and guitar not brilliantly. Never the less they are the things I play. I related so much about vibration from the cello it made me feel guilty that I haven't been playing guitar for awhile. There is a real connection from your fingers to phrase that I believe develops from it.(I mean vibrations). Perhaps the sound we make speaking is innately related to how we phrase things. Maybe vibration is the microcosmic pulse that our macrocosmic sense reacts to creating the over arching rhythm of phrase. Sorry I've been drinking might have got carried away but I think I believe that. Just hard to put into the right phrase. HAAAAA... Liked the VID very cool. Take care.
Oh yeah Cello if there was only one member of the violin family I could get hold of it would have to be the cello covers such a wide range and has weight and beauty doing it.
Piano, guitar, oboe, viola, trombone. No particular order.
If the world was ending and I needed to save some instruments. First up would be bass clarinet. Second would be the bagpipes in case I needed some kind of sonic weapon to fend off pirates.
Violin viola cello. Body soul spirit. string’ed instruments esoterically are known to be the ones that express the human condition in its entirety.
Rudolf Steiner.
That’s a solid quote! Am I okay to nab it?
@@TheCrowHillCo absolutely my friend!
Top 5 instruments... I think
5. Oboe
4. Cello
3. Kantele
2. Taiko drum
1. Guitar
Odd choices I know...
1 cello; 2 recorder; 3 electric guitar; 4 electric synth; 5 bass conga or cajon.
Looks like you fared better than Chris Nolan 🎉
😂 a natural surviver!
Is 6h/day considered a crazy amount of practice?
Don’t get me wrong - it’s a LOT, and enough to make you a BRILLIANT player, but I didn’t think it was noteworthy or novel
Makes you wonder, how did/why people decide to make such instruments to long ago.
*so long ago.
Hot take: let's just burn all the instruments and start inventing new ones from scratch! Obviously it's just a thought experiment, but imagine rebuilding a new musical culture and history without the blueprint of the last 500 years. What are we coming up with?