Category Archives: cello

E is for “Ehh…”

Posted on January 30, 2022 by midiguru

This post will most likely be of no interest to you unless you’re a cellist and have some interest in electric cellos, either because you own one or because you’re wondering if you might like to buy one. But I … Continue reading →

Posted in cello, music, technology | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Grace Notes

Posted on October 21, 2021 by midiguru

I’m going to be reviewing Band-in-a-Box for the Synth & Software website. That review won’t be written or uploaded for a couple of weeks, and I’m not going to spoil it by giving you a lot of inside information in … Continue reading →

Posted in cello, music, technology | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Symphony Jam

Posted on August 17, 2015 by midiguru

Last week I had a longish conversation with the fellow who will be the new principal cellist this fall for the Livermore Symphony. He’s a much better cellist than I am — to the point where he’s lowering himself a … Continue reading →

Posted in cello, music | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Bubble Boy

Posted on August 14, 2015 by midiguru

Lately I’ve been feeling as if I’m living in a bubble, or on a stage set — as if my life isn’t quite real. For a while I was thinking this is because I have no family. But while that … Continue reading →

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The School of Velocity

Posted on April 20, 2014 by midiguru

I have a couple of advanced cello students (high-school age) whom I’d like to prepare for symphony work. They can already play 95% of what a classical composer calls for — but then there’s that other five percent. In a … Continue reading →

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Let’s Get Together

Posted on October 6, 2011 by midiguru

The town where I live is not huge. It qualifies as a city only in the rhetoric of our elected officials. Even so, we have a thriving Art Association. Local painters, photographers, and jewelry makers have banded together for many … Continue reading →

Posted in cello, music, society & culture | 2 Comments

Whip It Out

Posted on July 17, 2011 by midiguru

Back in the early ’70s I played in two or three bands. Did a lot of gigging, made a little money, had a bunch of neat experiences. Both of the bands that I was most involved with were composed of … Continue reading →

Posted in cello, music | 2 Comments

Picture Yourself Playing Cello

Posted on March 18, 2011 by midiguru

My new book for beginning cellists is due to arrive in bookstores at the beginning of April. Here’s a low-tech home-brew video in which I talk about the book: The book is written mostly for folks who are new to … Continue reading →

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Starting from Scratch

Posted on January 11, 2011 by midiguru

Now and then I get a call from an adult who has conceived a desire to play the cello. Because I teach, I’m always happy to help them get started. But I’ve learned to give them a gentle warning up … Continue reading →

Posted in cello, music | 3 Comments

I Sing the Cello Electric

Posted on January 10, 2011 by midiguru

For the past year or so, my electric cello has been languishing, in its case in the closet, surrounded by its amp and other accessories. Yesterday I had an impulse to get it out and start using it again. In … Continue reading →

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