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Resources and Downloads
By Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University
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Here are some downloads, many of which can be found across the website, located in one space. I hope they are useful!
Open String Duets
Upper Half of the Bow
Regarding the bow, from the very beginning I like to focus on the upper half, lower half, and whole bow.
When teaching beginning cellists, I like to work on the forearm détaché. Violinists are typically quite adept at this bow stroke but cellists often lag behind. We like to saw using the whole arm always moving from the shoulder! I believe it is important early on for cellists to work on using their forearms. Honestly, it's about the only way to play fast separate notes.
Ultimately, the forearm détaché should be developed in all parts of the bow, including the lower half, but it is easiest for beginners to start in the upper half. For all parts of the bow, the forearm détaché will necessitate the elbow up a bit (not over done) with a slight pronation in the right hand (again, don't over do).
Lower Half of Bow
In contrast, I also like to work on the lower half of the bow, moving from the shoulder (the 'little pendulum' as I call it). In this bow stroke, the elbow is lower and the hand can be more supinated. The elbow moves as if a 'little pendulum' with a slight rise and fall.
See Action Studies
Grandfather Clock
and Swing
Whole Bow
While learning these duets and Action Studies, the student can be working on the 'big pendulum' or whole bow.
Action Studies for the whole bow are the Chicken Wing
(for the rise and fall of the elbow), Door on a Hinge
(the forearm détaché), and Wing on a Hinge
(a combination of Chicken Wing
and Door on a Hinge). Basket Ball Pass is also a combination of Chicken Wing
and Door on a Hinge.
Focusing on the Technique
It's always preferable to provide a musical context for the technique but it can be difficult to find pieces that allow the student to focus on the movements involved without getting overwhelmed.
In order for the student to focus on the techniques involved but provide musical interest, I wrote out some duets using just open strings with rhythmic ostinatos in the student part. The teacher plays the melody.
It is important to be working on the Action Studies with these duets. In Paul Rolland language, these would be Action Tunes.
98 Goofy Etudes
This set of position etudes was put together by Jamie Fiste and Nicolas Nirva, a former who graduated from CMU several years ago.
There are 14 etudes covering 1st through 4th positions with and without extensions. Each etude is transposed into six other positions, resulting in 98 total etudes. The advantage to transposing them into other positions is that because they retain the same fingerings as the non-transposed versions of the étude they allow the student to carefully compare the changes in finger spacing from one position to the next. These etudes come in two sets for one price; 98 Goofy Etudes
and 98 Serious Etudes. They are exactly the same etudes but the goofy set has, well… goofy titles. The teacher can decide which set is most appropriate for each student. If you use or know the Rick Mooney Position Pieces Book 1, these serve as an alternative or a supplement.
Click the link below to download at my online store.
Cello Position Chart
Here is the page that has two cello position charts for the "four finger" positions (1st - 4th). One is advanced and the other is simplified.
Intonation Exercises
It's a great idea to practice intonation against another notes. Here are some intonation exercises to be played against a drone note, either with a tuner or drones. These must be tuned very carefully against the drone note. You can't be in a hurry!
S.D.G.
Authored by Jamie Fiste, Professor of Cello at Central Michigan University.