Détaché Bow Stroke

This bow stroke is very common and has many variations of length. Each note is detached or separated from the next by the change of bow.

Popper Cello Étude No. 11

Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 11 We laughed a lot in this super fun Popper session with the wonderful Dr. Erin Ellis of West Virginia University. This study is one of the first that Erin assigns to students, but don’t be fooled! There’s PLENTY to work on in this study, including string crossings,

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Popper Cello Étude No. 16

Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 16 We enjoyed a bit of a change of pace with Popper 16. Marked “Capriccioso”, this study deals largely with issues of articulation, string crossings, playing triplets cleanly and in an organized fashion… and of course, making this work seem fun, effortless, carefree and full of delightful character.

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Popper Cello Étude No. 18

Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 18 We were delighted to work on Popper 18 with the fabulous Madeleine Kabat. We had so much fun with Madeleine, a self-proclaimed Popper nerd (she’s in good company). This is a tricky and long study focusing on thumb position technique, and lightness of stroke. It also includes

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Popper Cello Étude No. 19

Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 19 The Lohengrin étude takes a line from the famous Wagner opera and basically expands on the techniques required in the opera. It’s similar (but more difficult!) to Popper 1 in that we have triplet staccato notes throughout. It is important here to have a real connection with

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Popper Cello Étude No. 27

Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 27 This is an étude that works on spiccato and sautille strokes, as well as an extended technique that is rarely used in the repertoire – thumb to second finger octaves. Lots of chromatic harmonies here and coordination between right and left hands is key. 

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Popper Cello Étude No. 30

Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 30 We had such a blast exploring Popper 30 with the amazing Martin Johnson (Section Leader of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland). Popper 30 is a unique study – with a key signature of six flats! We’ve explored this study from all angles, plus lots of other

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Popper Cello Étude No. 37

Teaching Notes for Popper Cello Étude No. 37 Here’s a tricky study filled with LOTS of technical aspects… fast shifting, mordents, thumb position which also features on the lower two strings. Working out the mordents takes some attention. Coordinating the right hand and left hands is key – the bow must start before the beat

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