I started with violin at age 14, had a long performance career on double-bass, and now in retirement in my late 70s, I'm learning and playing cello in public gatherings. I have never, ever used tape on any instrument. It's always been strictly by ear training and muscle memory, and I am mostly self-taught. I don't have time to stare at tape while I'm completely occupied with staring at notation. Thanks Carolyn. You're as cute as ever, and I like your information.
Excellent that you are able to do this by ear. Unfortunately, a lot of adult learners didn't get that gift. :) I do find guide tapes help a lot of early learners. But if you can hear it and train your muscles without it, then kudos - that's awesome!
Thank you CaroIyn for your sound advice on this matter. I started out with four tapes in the first position, then I took them off and used a tuner. I got SO frustrated with myself, that I wasn't PERFECT after 4 months that I almost quit.🤦🏻♀️ Then my husband reminded me that this is for fun, so I don't need to put pressure on myself. He reminded me that it takes time to learn something as hard as the cello. So I put TWO tapes back on. One across the upper most 1/2 position and one across the upper third position. Green is my favorite color, so I used green tape. And there they will stay until I feel confident that I don't need them anymore. I'm getting there slowly, my ear is finally getting better at hearing the right notes and my hands are remembering their positions.😊🎶 Recording my playing is yet another great idea, thank you.😊
Thank you for this Carolyn! I started playing the cello in my early 60s, Covid days, before I learned about and joind your fantastic CelloAcademy, and before I was finally able to find a local private teacher. So I learned about the tapes from RU-vid videos aimed at Cello for beginners, many of them really good, but I developed almost immediately an instinctive aversion to them, probably because I am vain (you are more graceful about it in the video 😊. when my teacher wanted my to put the tapes I resentfully did but took them off within 2 weeks or so. I was motivated by a need to feel my way through the string geography, even if it meant taking a lot more time. But for me at least, it was what I wanted to do, even if there are shortcuts. I learned not to worry too much about placement, and move with the flow, slowly building the muscle and ear memory needed.
Thanks so much for this video I started with the cello in my 50's love the instrument my teacher also used the tape & slowly took them off to date I'm only on 1 tape he reckons I don't need them but subconsciously it kinda give me confidence I'm I a cry baby for my tapes cause I'm on book 3 with the different positions it's VERY challenging sometimes VERY difficult especially given the age factor with my wrists but no pain no gain😢 lucky for me God gifted me with a wonderful music teacher his wisdom & guidance on my health challenges are great his my hero I'm immensely blessed... TXS John God bless❤
