Cello taster
- Course Code: ME915
- Dates: 07/08/24 - 07/08/24
- Time: 18:15 - 20:15
- Taught: Wed, Evening
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Polly Hewett
Course Code: ME915
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Enjoy discovering what is involved in learning to play the cello in a friendly, supportive small group. This course is designed as an introduction to Cello level 1: module 1 starting in September.
What will we cover?
- how to hold the instrument and the bow
- how to use the bow correctly to make a good tone
- the open strings and basic fingering patterns
- simple tunes using a few notes
- the basics of music notation.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- hold the instrument and bow correctly
- use the bow to make a good tone
- know the names of the open strings
- play a few simple tunes by ear and from notation.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Suitable for complete beginners. You need to be able to follow instructions in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor demonstration and explanation
Playing in a group and individually
Learning by ear and from music notation.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a cello, bow and pencil. There are a few cellos available to borrow for this course. These are distributed on a first come-first served basis. Please contact music@citylit.ac.uk to see if there are any available. Other materials will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course is an introduction to Cello level 1, starting in September.
You may also be interested in complementary classes from our wide range of Musicianship courses.
Polly is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer, musical director and conductor who has been an adult education tutor since 2009. She enjoys the challenge and exchange of ideas and energy that adult education provides-both as a tutor and as a student. Polly's work also includes live performances and session work in many genres and venues in London and the South East, e.g. playing cello with Clerkenwell String Quartet, piano for Associated Board exams, singing at weddings and parties, and playing in orchestras and ensembles. As a cellist she has appeared on BBC TV's Top of the Pop and on a number of albums. She has also played in lots of pop bands and, after attending a City Lit jazz piano course, she started playing jazz and blues piano too. Polly composes music for radio, for theatre productions and library music for BBC Radio 3, 4 and the World Service and for television around the world. Her study to PhD level at Goldsmiths College opened up the world of Dada and John Cage and conceptual and performance art. Consequently she has sung Dada masterpieces such as "Ursonata" as well as her own compositions at contemporary music festivals such as The Brighton Festival.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
