Top 5 cello pieces not to miss as an adult learner
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- Опубліковано 4 сер 2024
- As an adult learner, it can be difficult to find cello repertoire that is fulfilling to play musically but also suitable from a technical standpoint. With that in mind, here are my top 5 pieces not to miss in the earlier stages of your cello journey. Each one had a major impact on me when I first learned them. If you haven't tried them out already, please do so and let me know what you think!
Here's a link to me playing the Allemande from the Matz Cello Suite in C Major that I mention in the video: • The Prelude to Bach's ...
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Billy Tobenkin is a Los Angeles-based cellist who specializes in teaching adult learners. As a professional cellist who started playing the cello from scratch at 25, he is in a unique position to help others, like him, who found the cello later in life. He has developed strategies from his own musical journey to accelerate the learning process, and he is here to share them with you.
Please contact him at billy@adultcello.com with any questions or comments! Or visit adultcello.com
00:00 Intro
00:54 La Cinquantaine
2:29 Sicilienne
4:22 Matz Cello Suite
5:59 Dotzauer #17
7:34 Bach Prelude in G Major
Good evening! My 70th birthday gift from my beloved daughter was a wonderful, professional cello (rental) and lessons given by a world class professional cellist! Although I’ve played the flute for most of my years, I always have had this restless admiration of the cello. My first lesson was actually the first time my fingers had ever touched a cello and I’ll never forget that feeling. Six months have passed and I am more in love with playing a cello than ever before! Your videos address so many of the feelings I have been having. I have to chuckle that you refer to yourself a a late comer to studying this instrument at the ripe old age of 25!! But your intuition is right on and has been extremely encouraging. I have been repeating some of your videos, especially on days when my bowing is slightly off or I didn’t quite make that left hand extension. You are helping me keep my chin up and eyes to the rainbow! Bless you!! Sincerely, Sue
And how did you know THE SWAN was at the top of my bucket list???☺️
Thank you so much for your message, I really appreciate it! And congrats on starting your cello journey! 🎻
@@adultcello Thats wonderful!
I’m starting cello at 51! I’m loving learning all of the various pieces out there and I absolutely love and appreciate your videos! I can’t wait to try the Matz Suite!
I’m 17 and looking to start Cello after feeling a pull to the instrument a few years. i was thinking of starting on double bass a couple years ago but instead fell in love with the versatility of the cello. this was a great and exciting video for me, thank you!
I’m almost 80 and I started 18 months ago! I totally agree that these are great pieces to learn and am pleased to report that I’ve almost mastered La chinquantaine. The back will have to wait!
Bach not back, please!
instant subscribe. the importance of actually feeling motivated and like you're 'playing something' CANNOT be understated, especially as an adult learner. I played Viola all through school and only picked up my cello at 37. thank you so much for this!
I went from viola to cello too!
I'm glad to see Dotzaeur #17 in this list! I was used to somewhat boring études (Dotzauer has some études that are simply exhausting) when I suddenly bumped into this gorgeous piece. It was perhaps the very first piece of music in the cello that I actually felt satisfied to play. I sometimes go back to it, now many years after my first encounter, so that I can incorporate new learnings and just have fun with it.
Right on! Never too old AND I find working complex pieces intensifies my motivation. Every measure is a rewarding mini success. Thanks for doing what you do!
This is like it was made for me, dude. I’m 26 and an aspiring cellist. Thanks for this motivation, it’s what I really needed, someone adult to relate to that learned cello at 25+ years old🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I love all of these pieces. The advices are exactly what i'll look out for, thank you
Thank you for your great content!
I restarted playing the cello 6 month ago at the age of 40 after a pause of 20 years. It was (and still is) very challenging to accept that you have to build up dexterity and strength of the fingers step by step again. Not to forget the hard skin on your fingertips (outch).
However, I'm very glad to see that there is such a great community of people who are adult lerners, too. Although I learned to play the cello before most of your videos fit to me as well. Especially the fact that I'm struggeling to find the right pieces to play for my level. Bach Prelude and The Swan are very obvious but at example Sicilienne is a piece I never stumbled over. It is so much fun to work on it and watch the progress you make. Especially because my cello teacher 20 years ago never allowed me to play the romantic or very melodical pieces. I was almost shocked when I learned that there are many works of romantic composers a can actually play! And it doesn't sound... too bad. That totally changed my point of view to cello music difficulty and boosted my motivation as well. Maybe I always was more the "kind of romantic" cello player ;)
Keep doing what you do and thanks again
Matthias
I discovered the Matz Suite recently. I need to give it to a student soon. Matz pieces are a staple of my teaching. They sit so nicely on the cello. I especially love the Andante and Rondo.
This is a wonderful list, Billy, thank you. I started scratching away at the Bach Prelude just after my first month of learning cello, and to this day (three months in), I love it! I feel like it is within my grasp...ok, perhaps not this year in any pleasant kind of way. But, just this morning my husband heard me practicing the piece and popped his head in the door to say he recognized the piece and he was floored I was already trying to put it together! I guess I should be learning scales...I am...however, there has to be the carrot at the end of the stick and this piece is dangling on the string. Thanks Billy. I really enjoy all of your videos.
I've been playing piano since childhood, and just started cello at 50. I've wanted to do this for years, but have been putting off due to lack of time, money, and life just happening. Watching your videos is inspiring me to keep going down this road, despite the fact that my wife and probably everyone else I know thinks I'm crazy to even try. Thank you!
No ,you are not .I am 69 and ..beginner.
As an adult beginner (cello), I'm definitely ready for some grown-up pieces. I don't know how many more kids' songs I can handle. Yes, I'm excited and inspired by this list, and I'll be tackling them a.s.a.p. Thank you! Oh, and your performance of the Allemande was beautiful!
Thank you so much, and I definitely know how you feel! I hope you enjoy the pieces, they really were a joy for me to learn when I first encountered them years ago!
So glad I found you! I played thru childhood & young adult. And keep trying to get back and am frustrated! These suggestions are spot on to relearn
I fully agree with a beginner trying to slowly learn Bach’s Cello Suite prelude. As adults so many of us were drawn to the cello by ‘that cello song’ and trying to play it gave me more inspiration to practice and improve myself.
Exactly! It's so inspiring to be working on a real piece of repertoire, even if in certain ways it might be considered "too early" to do so. Thanks for your comment!
Why do pple insist on calling it a 'song'? It's a piece. Nobody sings, altho of course the cello has a singing tone.
I found Dotzauer 17 by accident. i have the book and it looked doable as a beginner. lol It sounds so much like the Downton Abbey intro theme song that i got hooked. It’s one of my favorite etudes. i want to get good enough to just have it in my back pocket as a piece i can one day play really well! Oh Dotzauer 4 is fantastic too!
I love the Downtown Abbey music, too! There's a number of Dotzauer etudes that are just wonderful! Thanks for your comment!
I want to like this video twice. Really needed some inspiration to get going. It's tough to be motivated when you're just 2 weeks into it and struggling with a C major scale
La Cinquantaine is one of my favorites.
Such an excellent channel love all your tips they really help
Thank you, Billy. Those are great selections. I’ve been working on the Bach prelude Ste 1, for years! Still working on it. I was excited to hear about Dotzauer Etude # 17. I got bored & quit the Dotzauers before getting there, but I’m going to get thhe out and try it. It sounded so beautiful when you played it!
At 8:25, you have the right point! We must love what we're learning to invest more time! Thanks for sharing!
This is an extremely helpful video!! I just went to see a symohony recently. They played Tchaikovsky and even though the violins played beautifully, I was transfixed on the cellos. I've debated about learning how to play the cello for a few years now and after seeing that symphony, I've been even more determined to learn
This is wonderful. I really appreciate your comments about Bach Cello Suite 1-Prelude. I completed your Adult Cello class coming up on 3 months ago. The entire time I was also working on that piece as that was my primary motivation for taking up the cello... I practice 6 days a week for 1.5 to 2+ hrs and it always includes at least 30 min. of working on Prelude. I am now at the point where I can play about 98% of it at a good, comfortable speed. I've also been speeding some time on other Bach pieces. I can see how the other 4 pieces you have recommended would help accelerate my progress. I am definitely adding them in rotation in my practice routine. I also took your advice a month ago about the Piaitti Etudes and use them for my warmups. Thanks again!
That's so wonderful to read, thank you so much for your message! I love the consistency of your practice regimen, the cello is clearly just a part of who you are now :)
I think a rotation of pieces that includes Piatti etudes, the Bach preludes and some of the pieces in my list sounds like a wonderful mix. If you have any questions at all about this repertoire, please don't hesitate to email me, I love discussing this stuff!
Yay!! I loved this tutorial although I loved all of your posts! I have to agree with your reason for choosing Bach suite 1 prelude. I started my cello journey with a short term goal of being able to play Bach suite. It is very encouraging to hear you say that this is within reach for adult players, not just for advanced professionals to play. Yes, I am excited and inspired in full! Thank you!!!!
Thank you so much for your message, I'm thrilled to hear that you're inspired to try these pieces! The best thing about learning something like the Bach prelude early on, in my experience, is that you can return to it over and over again throughout your journey and each time you will learn new things and add more layers of nuance. Thanks again for your message!
I'm 25 .I started cello last october .It's been year and I am happy to start, Cello not easy but so enjoyable :D thanks for video ,have a good day.
I am picking up cello again after 15 years. I also didn't go far when I did play it 15 years ago so I still consider myself a beginner. I foolishly started learning Bach's Prelude because that was the piece that made me want to get into cello in the first place haha Of course, you are right and I need to be a little more advanced to play it correctly but I am proud of my progress with it, despite that. I will be trying the other pieces you suggested to give my neighbors a break from hearing a Botched Bach's Prelude every day!
The music we choose, no matter what instrument I play or sing, motivates me to practice and almost unknowingly, takes me, even if it is a baby step, to the next level. Thank you for recommending these pieces.
My pleasure, thank you so much for your comment!
Thank you. Inspirational!
Grt choices especially Dotzaur but there all so grt for the adult beginner...Thanks for a grt channel.
Thank you so much! I’m really excited to try out these pieces!
Another two pieces that I’d like to chip in are Jupiter by Holst and Swan Lake theme by Tchaikovsky. There are versions of them that require no shifting but still very expressive. Also it made a good exercise to practice making a good sound and train intonation.
Thanks so much! Those are wonderful melodies!
Excellent video, you really nailed what the adult learner needs. I agree totally about ‘psychology’ of having a go at the Bach. Definitely going to try all those pieces. Thank you
My pleasure, and thanks so much for your comment!
Thank you. You are inspiring
Cello Fun - Don’t forget to throw in some pop music: About the time I started learning position pieces for cello (Mooney). I made a discovery that I no longer needed to spend money on generic sounding pop cello music. I play along with “Hauser” and “2Cellos” fun songs like The Godfather theme, Moon River, Despacito, Yesterday (Beatles). I like playing along by ear with fun songs. I was so Suzuki that I did not realize that I could play by ear. Some of the generic cello sheet music is terrible and the accompanying electronic backup does not always sound good with cello. Find cello audio/video that you like and try to play along with it - for fun.
An excellent video as usual.
I really appreciate your channel as an adult learner. I am, in fact, a very adult learner - in fact you might call me a senior learner! I started cello last year during quarantine at 65 years of age. I have played for a year now with a private teacher. But your encouragement has helped so much. My teacher started when he was five years old, and although he is excellent and very supportive, there’s no way he can understand quite like you can!
There is a lot more on your channel I need to explore. There is a chance my husband and I may be moving to the LA area. I don’t know if you are still giving in person lessons or not.
Anyway, you might be hearing more from me in the future as I progress. Thanks for your wonderful videos!
Thank you so much for your message, and that's so wonderful that you're a year into your cello journey! I am definitely still giving in person lessons here in LA, so please feel free to contact me if you and your husband end up moving to the LA area. Thanks again for your message and happy practicing!
I LOL'd at the G natural above A as a bleep :)
This is interesting getting back into. I played cello from ages 12-21 and I haven't touched my instument in a few years. These are pretty solid suggestions
Thanks so much, and that's awesome that you've returned to the cello after a break!
I am bookmarking this so that I can research these wonderful pieces of music. I started at 51 years old but am rusty due to a stroke.. But getting back in to it.
Very nice selection of music pieces! Thank you!
My pleasure!
I'm a 61 year old who has just had her first cello lesson. To be honest, it was quite overwhelming. As someone who is getting up in age, memory is not quite where it used to be. Because of that reason, I worry about memorization of location of notes. I'm hoping things get less overwhelming soon as I am on a deadline for December 2024!! Lol!! Thank you for your videos!!! You're great!!!
I loveeee this video! Although I’m considered advanced as I’m preparing for grade 8, but sometimes I just wanna wind down with easy going pieces. Definitely will look for the second and third piece you recommended!
Thanks so much for your comment! The Sicilienne and the Matz are fantastic, I hope you enjoy them!
I also found that the Bach Gounod Ave Maria in C for cello and piano was a good one too. For the most part you can play the entire piece in first position less the high E. However as I advanced I was able to play the same piece in the higher positions of course refining the sound in how it was played. Good piece.
Im re picking up cello after being first chair in middle and in highschool. I stopped attending class in highschool so i can go to college early and didnt have enough money to buy one......and i miss the cello so much! Its been 5 years!!!! I bought and successfully fixed a broken eletric cello on ebay for 100 bucks a year ago. Now i just need to buy a bow and jump back on. I learned up to only fourth position, and need a refresher. Back to tapes lol. Im excited to catch up to playing these pieces.
You have a habit of knowing exactly what videos I want! I’ve started at 40 and I too am fed up of the childish nature of many of the pieces I’m learning, and want to be able to just express myself a little. Your suggestions are just excellent and I’m looking forward to getting working on all of them!
Thank you so much for your message, and I'm so glad you liked the video! After you end up trying the pieces, I'd love to know how you like them!
I’d like to know about your journey. I just started (at 39). It’s been 2 months now.
@@RICARDOMONTES12 I m 39 and started 2 months ago . How far did you get so far? Are you still enjoying the journey?
Love this type of videos
Thanks so much!
Thank you very much for your suggestions ! I totally agree with you. It is important to keep motivating through out our cello journey ! I've started around 6 month ago but I can't still play any of those ... I revise some parts of the Prelude. But at this point it seems it may take a little longer for me to even play a complete piece hahahah... hopefully I will improve !!!
I'm sure you will improve quickly and be playing complete pieces in no time! Those are pieces not to miss, but they are definitely not the first pieces I learned to play! Thanks for your comment and happy practicing!
Oh my, have been working on la cinquantaine for a while. Very challenging but love the music. My teacher says suzuki book 3 is very hard but book 4 will be better. That is my motivation.
It definitely is a challenge, but I'm glad you're enjoying the music!
Very insightful
Playing the Bach after just three months, you must be very talented. I learned to play it 8 notes in one bow. That's a lot harder than what I hear most cellists playing four notes in one bow than one note per bow. My teacher told me to play it to make it sound like a flowing river. But it's very hard that way.
The prelude is also great for learning phrasing and musicality! Without adding special little phrasing touches this piece can get very boring, especially since it's so well known, which is why it is both important but also perfect for learning how to really play instead of notes on a page.
Great advices, I agree with you and I think having pieces which motivate you to play are more important than anything for a beginner adult learner! I think Bach Prelude in G Major is great for beginners, i think it's a fun practice for getting familiar with the finger board too, as most notes lay in the 1-4 positions on each string :D
Thanks so much, and thanks for your comment!
I learned using Dotzauer as a kid, and do remember some of the pieces were beautiful. I would perform them whenever someone asked to me play something.
Totally! Some of his lyrical pieces really show off the cello's richness and are the perfect length for a song request. Thanks for your comment!
I would also add Lights and Shadows by Matz. It’s phenomenal.
6 months in now, started at 39 years old. Can't even read music. Thank you for the video. Knowing that we are not alone and we can do it is motivating. I love that you are not dogmatic. My first teacher forbid to touch some of those pieces now. However, I did not listen. And thank god. Currently starting to learn The Swan. Tried Prelude at 3 months, learned a lot, put a pause. But The Swan was calming and relaxing. Super motivating
Thanks so much for your message, and congrats on starting your cello journey! I love to hear that you're diving into the repertoire and learning so much from it. I agree, it's so motivating to just go for it, especially as a fun supplement to the regular diet of scales and etudes. Congrats again!
@@adultcello please create more content :-) like tutorial on how to play those repertoire and give tricks :-). Thank you for the inspiration.
@@cellohack8602 That's a great idea, thank you so much!
Nice presentation
Wise wise words thank you
When your learning you really do need to push yourself especially when your an adult and have less time. So I’m with you on #5
Thanks so much! I do like the minuets in suzuki but the rest 😐 this is fantastic
Thanks so much!
Thanks for this list - I will check out the ones I haven't played. I would also add Reiding's concerto in B minor, especially the first movement. I really felt excited when I was given this to play early on.
Thanks so much for your comment! I actually don't know about the Reiding, so thank you, I'll definitely check that out!
I think it could be the same as the violin concerto in a transcription for cello .greetings from Germany 🎻
Thanks for that !
My pleasure!
Thank you so much for this video! It would be really great if you did the same thing with pieces in a single position (1st or 4th for example)! The Matz suite seems like a perfect example :)
That's a great idea! Thanks so much, and thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much for sharing so much of your experiences and I found most of them quite beneficial as I just started to learn this incredible instrument .The part describing Bach prelude is so inspiring,hopefully I can play it after 3months from now hah
I appreciate all your encouraging and helpful content. Keep up the fantastic work! My journey began as an adult violin student 4 years ago, and as recently as 2 months ago, I’m a new cello adult learner as well. You mentioned Etudes in the video. Do you have a book that you prefer to help me in my selection process?
I am going to break the record of the age of your students. I am 78 and just rented a 3/4 cello and going to learn by watching your instruction. I am a petit person. I will let you know how I progress from time to time.
Thank you!! I just (re)started learning cello at 26, and this is *supremely* helpful. Do you have any idea of a difficulty ranking of these pieces to give an idea of what order I might be able to think about learning them in?
you're amazing
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
“F*** IT. GO FOR IT.” I love that.
Hey I did have a question to submit for a future video. How did you get into doing all of this video and camera work? Were you a photographer or into video before? The audio and video quality on your videos is great. From another musician that also has a photo/video/everything else business for 22 years...
Any specific editions? Many thanks for your wonderful videos. Oh, I started at age 52!
Douse anyone know where I can get all of these songs on sheet music or just a link to them
Thank you for this list. I get so tired of Suzuki books. I'm just in #2
My pleasure! Finding the right repertoire can make all the difference sometimes!
Adding my thanks for these recommendations. If I have to play Happy Farmer one more time I will CHOKE! As a real newbie who is pretty much still in first position, do you have any more basic recommendations? (But thxs to your coaching will try and take bites out of Bach's Prelude). You have identified a niche with a real need!
Hi! You might want to check out the ABRSM volume 1 or 2 books. They are a similar level to Suzuki but I think many of the pieces are more interesting for adult learners. There's also Bach for the Cello; it's published by Shirmer and it's ten Bach tunes transcribed for the cello and only in first position.
Is it nuts to try the Sarabande from the 5th cello suite? Not a lot of notes. Of course it is at the mountaintop
Could you please give us the recommended sheet music (publisher, etc.)for the pieces you have discussed, especially the last, the Bach Suite 1. Thanks so much!!
Wendy
(71 year old beginner)
Thank you for this video. Just what I needed. I picked up the cello at late 29 been playing for a year. I take private lessons so I dont get to do recitals so ibwas thinking of doing my own to show my fam. Are there any song books for the cello with beginner progression. The piano seems to have tons but I cnt pin point any for the cello. Any recommendations?
Thanks so much for your message! This book doesn't have a clear progression, but I remember it having a good selection of tunes from early intermediate to early advanced, and many of the tunes I used to play for family and friends early on: www.amazon.com/Cello-Solos-Everybodys-Favorite-40/dp/0825620406/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=0825620406&psc=1
Hope that helps!
I played piano in school, then learned guitar on my own around 20. Now I'm 37 and started with cello, can't be bothered with sheets and notes so I just play by ear and play along to music on youtube like "2 Cellos" and such. Often sounds like crap as I don't even know half of the melodies and only played for a few weeks but it's fun and that's what will keep me going, struggling with sheets would just put me off and make me play the guitar instead. And I learn to find my way around the finger board without looking and make it sound right, so much easier to try and figure out the bowing stuff without having to stare at a note sheet at the same time. Might start looking at the note sheets when I feel it's time to learn the Cello Suite.
I just started cello this past week and I’m 36. Your videos and tips have helped me this first week. I’m thinking of signing up for your course in the next couple weeks. Do you have the ability for private lessons?
Congrats on starting the cello, that's so exciting! I think your message cut off and so I'm guessing you're asking about private instruction. I currently have a few spots open in my schedule, so if you would like to discuss zoom lessons, or my Cello in 30 Days course, please just send me an email at billy@adultcello.com. Thanks so much and congrats again on starting your cello journey!
Does anyone know where to find sheet music for free online? For amy of these?
Where can I find the music for Matz Cello Suites ? I'm looking online and was hoping I could purchase & print it.
I just ordered it from Shar
Do you have any good books for Cello in the Suzuki book 2,3,4 levels?
Hi! I remember liking this book called Cello Solos, which is a collection of fun pieces that range in difficulty (many of which would probably be comparable to Suzuki 3 and 4). Here's a link, hope you like it! www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/cello-solos-sheet-music/3607274
@@adultcello thank you so much I'll go add it to my Amazon cart 👍
I started cello at 7 but I quit at 15. Picked it back up at 27 and found myself quite annoyed with most pieces. It wasn’t until I went to electric and started playing pieces well above my level I’d started skyrocketing in skill.
One thing I think older beginners can benefit from is picking up an electric cello. (I know it infuriates traditional cellists)
Having the ability to use effects like reverb noise gates and delay greatly improves the quality of what you hear while your learning dynamics and fine tuning your technique. It really sucks being a beginner and spending months squeaking your way to annoying neighbors. I’ve noticed no difference in my traditional technique starting my journey again on electric.
For myself, having an absolutely beautiful sounding instrument, regardless of how much I sucked, really drove me to WANT to play.
I love this post. It absolutely Inspires me. I sent you an email inquiring about your lesson prices too. My name is Isa.
Thank you so much, Isa, I just sent you a message back!
First one: I always hear the beginning of Kreisler‘s Liebesleid and am then confused as to why it doesn‘t go on like it.
Me in the future: If I have to play Twinkle Twinkle ONE MORE TIME I am going to LOSE IT!
lol Thank you very much for this. The idea of playing kiddie songs again had me a bit apprehensive.
I started at 59 and i'm still struggling at 70
hey a handy way to pronounce cinquantaine. Sank Aunt Ten
yee haw
Childish? 🗿
Pls learn how to pronounce Cinquantaine. It's cringy.
And Von Paradee.
Habla demaciado
You are impolite. Rude
Please don't speak over the piece playing....
Just horrible.
My teacher started me off on the Bach Cello Suite, I learned so much from it.
That's wonderful! It's such a great piece to work on :)