I'm about to post a series of Flying Pizzicato lesson videos via YT and my website. Stay tuned! Also, let me know if you're interested in doing skype lessons.
The tone is so interesting: sometimes guitar-like, but not. It actually sounds oddly like a kora on those fast runs. The harmonics in particular are really cool.
picking up the cello after a 9 year distance from any kind of touch.. I played for seven years during my early years, I'm now 23. I wanted to let you know that I think this is wonderful what you have given me here.. I move forward now
juilliard trained musician here. professional union member in NYC and LA. i thought what you did was pretty slick. intonation was great! it was funky and cool and appealing. that's my op. i would listen to more of your stuff too. to your detractors - who gives a flying f*** what you think. "...cello should be..... blah blah blah..." ART done WELL (and THIS was WELL DONE) is worth a listen. if you don't like it, ok. don't like it. move on. i thank my friend Richard B for turning me on to you/flying pizz.
Right on hypnotherapycw! Ironically, it's BECAUSE I give a flying pluck about apparent cello pizz limitations that I came up with this approach, and consequently, the rep to match.
in "If I Only had a brain" you used the shaker, too, I believe. What a great technique, and MUSICAL idea...again, it's about making music, not displaying formidable technique (although you clearly have that in abundance!).
The person who disliked this video isn't necessarily ignorant, stupid, mean, or any bad character trait. In my opinion, s/he's most likely to love classical music so much that this video doesn't make any sense to them. Wait, these means they're ignorant. Then... Never mind...
His plucking is not in the wrong place, because if you have ever played a cello you will realize that there is too much tension on the strings near the bridge to be able to pluck as fast as he is. Also since the strings are more taught near the bridge you can't possibly get the same loud sound out of the instrument. It is not a guitar, and it does not play the same as one either.
Thanks for the comment & question Shamen63. My advice? Write what you must, and trust that performers will acquire the skills & calluses required to play it!
Funny you should ask, Noreen. I'm on the verge of posting progressive Flying Pizzicato Lessons at my site and RU-vid channel. Stay tuned. What part of Spain do you live in? I'm working on a European tour that might include Barcelona, where I have contacts and dear friends. Maybe we could have lessons in person. What an ancient thought...
Hi Stephen. This is fantastic. I'm a beginner cellist (learning as an adult), and am making my way through Suzuki. However, my interest is in eventually playing jazz cello in a few years. I was wondering if you could advise how I could go about learning to do pizzicato like this? Thanks in advance!
Hi, Stephen, Thanks for the stunning performance last night. Would you post the flyer or the details of the concert coming up on July27, 2013 in Goshen, MA?
I would like to thank you Stephen Katz for coming to Tapestry and playing a few songs for us. I'm not a teacher by the way. I was one of the students and I admire your skills with the cello.
@UnseenOnAndOn - I've played some of the NS cellos, and I find they're well suited to clean tapping/hammering. Sure, flying pizzicato works too. But an acoustic cello provides a satisfying "pushback" to FPizz that I haven't experienced on electrics. Let me know how it goes!
This is excellent! I could definitely listen to a whole concert of that! I play viola and I have tried playing it guitar style but I have never come close to that!
Ignorant means that said person is uneducated on the subject in question. If the person did not like the song simply because they believe that a cello should be used to beautiful classical works of art, then they could dislike it. Not because, as you say it, they are "Ignorant". I am the 2nd person to dislike this video, and that is because this is a cello. Not an electric guitar. And it should be treated as such.
