Cellomind

CelloMind is a two-part pedagogical method book that focuses on intonation and left-hand cello technique. The coauthors of the book are Hans Jørgen Jensen, Professor of cello at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University and Minna Rose Chung, Associate Professor of Cello at the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba. Part I: Intonation. The mystery of intonation is revealed by defining and explaining the scientific principles that govern it. To know and understand how to combine the three primary intonation systems has never before been expounded in a methodology publication--and for good reason. Playing with exquisite intonation has mostly been reserved for those who possess a strong intuitive sense; however, CelloMind breaks down this taboo using a systematic approach with a highly attuned manner. The three systems of intonation that string players most commonly use today--equal temperament, just intonation, and Pythagorean tuning--are each explored and explained in great detail. All chapters in the book include many practical samples and listening exercises that bridge the gap between the theory and its application. The chapters on intonation conclude with practical examples from the following repertoire: "Intonation Performance Practice in the Bach Solo Cello Suites" and "Intonation Performance Practice with Piano." Part II: Left-Hand Technique. The left-hand technique chapters in this section complement the study of intonation by providing a solid foundation of skills for essential cello playing. The topics and exercises have been selected to cover a wide range of technical skills that include playing with a light left-hand touch, speed, coordination, balanced vibrato, agility, finger independence, and efficient shifting. Original exercises developed for students over many years have also been incorporated into these chapters, as well as studies from Julius Klengel, Bernhard Cossmann, Louis R. Feuillard, Jean-Louis Duport, Yakov Rosenthal, and Fritz Albert Christian Rudinger.

ViolinMind is a pedagogical method book that focuses on intonation. It is a transcription for the violin of CelloMind published in 2017 by Ovation Press, Ltd. The co-authors of ViolinMind are Hans Jørgen Jensen, Professor of Cello at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University and Grigory Kalinovsky, Professor of Music (Violin) at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. The mystery of intonation is dissected by defining the scientific principles behind it, and providing easy, intuitive examples of the three main kinds of intonation systems used today: Equal Temperament, Just, and Pythagorean. Playing with exquisite intonation has mostly been reserved for those who possess a strong intuitive sense of pitch and harmonic color; however, ViolinMind breaks down this barrier using a highly detailed, systematic approach, making the process of acquiring a sophisticated sense of intonation similar to any other technical skill. Chapters in the book explore in great detail topics such as the harmonic overtone series, the scientific principles behind Cents, the syntonic comma, the just scales, the Pythagorean comma, the Pythagorean semitones, advanced sympathetic vibrations, Tartini tones, and double stops studies in tritones. All chapters in the book include numerous practical samples and listening exercises that bridge the gap between the theory and its application. The chapters on intonation conclude with practical examples from the following repertoire: intonation performance practice in the Bach Sonatas and Partitas for Violin Solo (BWV 1001-1006), and intonation performance practice with piano. The appendices in the book provide detailed explanations about the Helmholtz intonation chart, the harmonic series, just intonation, the Schisma, as well as an illustration of two violin fingerboards from two method books from the 18th century showing pitch distribution for just intonation and Pythagorean intonation respectively.

An analysis of the physics and physiology involved in playing the cello. For performers, teachers, and mature students.

A Cellist's Daily Technical Regimen

Forced to provide for his family from the age of 8 and thrown out of his home into a bitter Moscow winter at age 12, cellist Gregor Piatigorsky began his career as an archetypal struggling artist, using secondhand and borrowed instruments. When the October Revolution forced his escape to Warsaw, he enjoyed initial success with the Warsaw Philharmonic. Relocating to Berlin a few months later, he again struggled in poverty before eventually emerging as solo cellist with the Berlin Philharmonic. Settling in the United States during World II, Piatigorsky continued a brilliant career that cemented his place as one of the twentieth century's greatest musicians. This all-embracing chronicle of Piatigorsky's tempestuous life and career finally reveals the full life story of a musical legend.

“Read this book if you have ever loved and lost. . . . It will inspire you.” —Monique Roffey, author of With the Kisses of His Mouth Fuzzy-haired, neurotic, cello-playing Catrina is devastated when her lover, Jack, leaves her to go surfing on the other side of the world. Trapped in a dead-end job and torn by his departure, Catrina dreams of running away. But how do you run away when you’re flat broke? Luckily, her friend Andrew comes up with a plan: they’ll get an old van, turn it into a camper, and busk their way from Norway to Portugal, via the midnight sun. Andrew is one of her oldest friends and they share many of the same passions and interests, including music. When Andrew is killed in a tragic accident, Catrina decides to go it alone, encountering one disaster after another. She sleeps in her van, gets lost, and struggles to find the confidence to play her cello in front of her growing audience, but meets complete strangers who offer her advice, encouragement, and support along the way. Her experiences on the road gradually teach her the real meaning of love, courage, and above all else, the importance of following her dreams. This is an unforgettable story of a journey like no other—a deeply emotional and inspirational debut by a unique storyteller.

Knowledge comes from thinking with, from and through things, not just about them. We get to know the world around us from the inside of our being in it. Drawing on the fields of anthropology, art, architecture and education, this book addresses what knowing from the inside means for practices of teaching and learning. If knowledge is not transmitted ready-made, independently of its application in the world, but grows from the crucible of our engagements with people, places and materials, then how can there be such a thing as a curriculum? What forms could it take? And what could it mean to place such disciplines as anthropology, art and architecture at the heart of the curriculum rather than – as at present – on the margins? In addressing these questions, the fifteen distinguished contributors to this volume challenge mainstream thinking about education and the curriculum, and suggest experimental ways to overcome the stultifying effects of current pedagogic practice.