Cello Student, Charlotte E.
The cello can be a beautiful sounding instrument whose warm tone attracts people of all ages. Due to the instruments size, people often think you cannot learn this instrument from a young age. It’s true that most students get introduced to cello in a middle school orchestra program. This puts a child at the age of 12 or 13. But it’s possible to start learning to play the instrument from a much younger age. The issue here is having the right size instrument. Cellos range in size from full to 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and even 1/8! SMMC carries a variety of cello sizes available to rent that can be viewed from our online store. With the right size cello, a student as young as five or six years old can start to learn the instrument. But, the cello does come with it’s challenges for students of any age.
Posture
The number 1 issue beginners have difficulty with is posture. Holding the instrument the right way and maintaining the hold takes time to learn. The first thing to achieve is to sit in an upright position with a naturally curved back. Students need to avoid slouching or hunching over the instrument. Next the student needs to sit in a chair low enough so that both feet firmly reach the floor. But, the chair should also be high enough that the knees bend below the hip (so at a larger angle than 90°). The cello is then placed between the legs so the knees make contact with the upper lip of the lower bout. The cello’s endpin will need to be adjusted so the instrument is at the right height to achieve this. The upper bout then rests on the players chest with the tuning pegs situated behind the left ear.
If held correctly, the neck of the instrument will be floating freely. This will give the student access to the full range of notes on the neck, even though a beginner will only play out of the first position. As you can see, a lot goes into simply getting started! Learning good posture is paramount for the long run, but this process can be a challenge for young students. It’s key to have an engaging teacher who is patient and can make the process fun! The teachers at SMMC easily check off both of those boxes.
In Her Teacher’s Words
Charlotte takes lessons from Mr. Sam Kim. Mr. Kim is a graduate from Dordt University in Iowa and holds a degree in Music Education. He is a passionate instructor who’s worked with students of all ages and levels. His students have gone onto audition for orchestral positions in middle and high school. His students also participate in ABRSM graded performance examinations. Of Charlotte, Mr. Kim writes:
“Charlotte is a dedicated student. This is evident in her consistent punctuality for arriving to lessons. She practices diligently according to the lesson notes give to her. As a result, she has reached significant milestones such as passing auditions and mastering three octaves! Her dedication to attending lessons and practicing has helped her progress quickly. Her intonation on the instrument is also wonderful for her age. I am very pleased with Charlotte’s work ethic and am excited about her musical trajectory. With continued dedication, I see Charlotte becoming a great cellist and musician.”
That is high praise from a dedicated teacher. Great work Charlotte!
Charlotte During Her Cello Lesson
We invite you to enjoy a short clip of Charlotte performing on her instrument during a recent lesson.
Wonderful performance Charlotte! The award is well deserved. To view past award winners, check out our YouTube Student Of The Month playlist!
In Charlotte’s Words
This is our favorite part of the blog-the Q & A! We asked Charlotte a couple of questions about music and her general interests. Here is what she had to say:
- How long have you been playing your instrument and what do you like most about playing it?
“I started playing the cello 2 years ago. I like seeing how the music I play brings my family and I joy.” - How do you make time to practice in your busy schedule?
“Since I play for my school’s orchestra during the year, I have a habit of practicing everyday.” - What brand/size instrument do you play on? What do you like about how your instrument sounds? Is there anything that makes your instrument special?
“I play on a 3/4 size cello and I like that it sounds powerful. My instrument is special because it sounds deeper than most instruments and it is not a popular choice of instrument.” - If any, who are the artists you look up to for your instrument and why do you like them?
“I like Yo-Yo Ma because his music creates a flowing colorful feeling that brings me happiness.” - What do you like about the piece you chose to perform for the video?
“I like the piece I performed because it is simple but beautiful. It teaches that music does not need to be complicated to create a mesmerizing tone.” - What do you like to do in your down time?
“I like to draw, read, play my cello, swim and play volleyball.”
Wonderfully thoughtful answers Charlotte. Thank you for sharing!
Meet The Violin Instructor
Juhun (Sam) Kim is a passionate and engaging cellist with over 11 years of orchestral experience. Juhun was born in South Korea. He studied Music Education and graduated from Dordt University in Iowa in 2022. As a cello instructor, he has taught in Hyundai Ulsan Youth Orchestra and Northwest Iowa Youth Symphony Orchestra. In his teaching career, Juhun has helped many students of all ages and skill levels improve their cello performance and musicality, from beginners to advanced players. His students have gone on to audition for orchestral positions in both middle school and high school. Juhun has always strived to put the student first while at the same time, upholding a standard befitting the level of music the student is trying to learn. His passion, empathy, and strong cello proficiency make him a great choice as a cello instructor.