Cello Secrets

Brian Hodges is an active cello soloist, chamber player and teacher.He has performed and given masterclasses throughout the United States, Canada, Italy and Germany. He is currently associate professor of cello and coordinator of chamber music at Boise State University. Dr. Hodges is principal cello of the Boise Baroque Chamber Orchestra and regularly performs with Classical Revolution: Boise.Jo Nardolillo is a violinst who has performed as a concerto soloist, recitalist, concertmaster, chamber musician and orchestra member throughout the United States and in Europe. Dr. Nardolillo has taught at a number of prestigious institutions, including the Eastman School of Music, the Hochstein School of Music, and the Levine School of Music.

While the art of musical interpretation often seems highly subjective, almost every other aspect of instrumental playing—technique, body mechanics, performance psychology—can be analyzed, discussed, and clarified. Cello Secrets provides a valuable resource to the cello community. Eliminating myths and perceived technical mysteries allows each of us to move closer to transcending the cello and fully achieving our artistic aims.

• 1. IntonationIntroductionSecret 1: How to Play in TuneSecret 2: Finger PatternsSecret 3: Fingerboard MappingSecret 4: No FixingSecret 5: Ševcík's ParadoxSecret 6: Which Intonation?Secret 7: Using OvertonesSecret 8: Using a TunerSecret 9: Tuning FifthsSecret 10: Tuning Octaves2. The Left HandIntroductionSecret 11: Don’t Slap the PuppySecret 12: Maximum Velocity 1 (Take it easy)Secret 13: Maximum Velocity 2 (Bursts)Secret 14: The Right Fingerings by PatternSecret 15: The Right Fingerings by ColorSecret 16: Clear False HarmonicsSecret 17: ExtensionsSecret 18: Small Hand TechniqueSecret 19: Coordinating the Bow and Fingers3. Shifting and Playing HighIntroductionSecret 23: Zen and the Art of ShiftingSecret 24: The Right ShiftSecret 25: Shifting to High PositionsSecret 26: Using the Bow to Help ShiftingSecret 27: The Best Shift May Be No Shift4. VibratoIntroductionSecret 28: Know Your VibratoSecret 29: Get Control of Your VibratoSecret 30: Achieving Continuous VibratoSecret 31: Vibrato Tricks for the Fourth FingerSecret 32: ElectroshockVibratoSecret 33: Shimmer VibratoSecret 34: Vibrato Sculpture5. Tone and the BowIntroductionSecret 35: Know Your Bow HoldSecret 36: The Bow as a LeverSecret 37: Default SettingSecret 38: Gravity is Your FriendSecret 39: The CulpritsSecret 40: The Formula for Your Optimum SoundSecret 41: Playing into the CurveSecret 42: How to Make your Bow LongerSecret 43: Pop & FloatSecret 44: Mastering SpiccatoSecret 45: Sizzling SautilléSecret 46: Flying Bow StrokesSecret 47: Fabulous FlautandoSecret 48: TremoloSecret 49: Using the Left Hand to Improve ToneSecret 50: The Law of InertiaSecret 51: Don’t be a Slave to Your Bow6. Practice StrategiesIntroductionSecret 52: Now PracticeSecret 53: Practice ConcentrateSecret 54: Never Pay Rent AgainSecret 55: Divide and ConquerSecret 56: SkeletonsSecret 57: When Slow Practice Isn’t Enough Part 1. AddaNoteSecret 58: When Slow Practice Isn’t Enough Part 2. LoopingSecret 59: When Slow Practice Isn’t Enough Part 3. Burst PracticeSecret 60: When Slow Practice Isn’t Enough Part 4. RhythmsSecret 61: When Slow Practice Isn’t Enough Part 5. NotchingSecret 62: Improving Your Technique in Just 15 Minutes a DaySecret 63: Using Etudes to Prepare RepertoireSecret 64: JournalingSecret 65: Building Your Practice HavenSecret 66: Team PracticeSecret 67: Your Best Friend, the Metronome7. Artistry StrategiesIntroductionSecret 68: Start from the MusicSecret 69: Learning Polyphonic BachSecret 70: It’s All OperaSecret 71: Playing Powerful ChordsSecret 72: Masterful Passagework through Lyrical PreparationSecret 73: Shaping the Phrase in Fast DetachéSecret 74: The ClimaxSecret 75: Cultivating Your Unique VoiceSecret 76: Choosing the Right Edition8. Performance StrategiesIntroductionSecret 77: Stage MakeupSecret 78: Practice PerformingSecret 79: FirewallsSecret 80: Overcoming Stage FrightSecret 81: Connecting with the Audience9. Chamber Music StrategiesIntroductionSecret 82: Groups Who Play Together Stay TogetherSecret 83: Successful Rehearsals When No One is in ChargeSecret 84: Playing BlindSecret 85: Keeping the ScoreSecret 86: No Barriers10. Orchestra StrategiesIntroductionSecret 87: Sharing a PartSecret 88: Being a Team PlayerSecret 89: Sitting PrincipalSecret 90: Preparing Orchestra MusicSecret 91: FakingSecret 92: Building Your Orchestral LibrarySecret 93: Mastering Audition ExcerptsSecret 94: Playing the Auditions GameBonusSecret 95: MirroringFurther Reading