The youngest beginners are led through a series of progressive steps that build the skills necessary to be able to hold the bow, take the bow to the string and play with the bow on the string. Students learn to focus, feel the musical pulse, clap rhythms, bow, sit with and move around their cello, hold the bow, play pizzicato, and ultimately play The Twinkle Theme and the 5 variations. At this point they are ready to begin Suzuki Book 1 and the cello-playing journey has begun.
This process takes time and patience, from both student and parent, however everything the student is able to do on the cello is a skill they have learnt - no one is born being able to play the cello! - and this is worth celebrating.
Level 1 Beginners
Level 1:-Suzuki Book 1, 1st position, introduction to backward and forward extensions, introduction to the concepts of bow distribution, tonilization, crotchets and quaver rhythmic subdivision and one octave scales.
Level 2 Beginners
Level 2:- Suzuki Book 2, shifting to 2nd and 4th position, more extensions, introduction to the concepts of varying tone production through combinations of bow pressure, speed and contact point, more complex rhythmic subdivision, bowing techniques and two octave scales.
Intermediate Players
Technique is further developed through the weekly assignment of scales played in bowing patterns, the introduction of method books by Piatti, Deak and Dotzauer and by beautiful repertoire.
Intermediate Level:-Suzuki Books 3-5, vibrato, shifting to 5th position, introduction to the middle positions, tenor clef and 3 octave scales.
Advanced Players
At Advanced Level the focus is on learning standard cello repertoire, more studies and developing musicality.
Advanced Level:-Suzuki Books 6-10, middle to thumb positions and 3 - 4 octave scales.