Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'?

[sleepy]

I watched yo-yo-ma and some other cellists solo performance. Everyone played so beautifully, really soothing to the ears.


My dd is only playing 1/2 a page kind of relatively simple notes. Even if no where as good as the professionals, theoretically still shouldn’t sound unpleasant, right?

She practises 3 to 4 times a week for 30 minutes each time. Not super hardworking but at least consistent practice. Her chords sound better than exam pieces though.

I really can’t pin point what’s the problem. Teacher doesn’t know how to coach? But how to identify a good teacher?

Quite clueless when come to strings teacher. What are the attributes to look out for in a good strings teacher?

[phankao]

sleepy:

I watched yo-yo-ma and some other cellists solo performance. Everyone played so beautifully, really soothing to the ears.


My dd is only playing 1/2 a page kind of relatively simple notes. Even if no where as good as the professionals, theoretically still shouldn't sound unpleasant, right?

She practises 3 to 4 times a week for 30 minutes each time. Not super hardworking but at least consistent practice. Her chords sound better than exam pieces though.

I really can't pin point what's the problem. Teacher doesn't know how to coach? But how to identify a good teacher?

Quite clueless when come to strings teacher. What are the attributes to look out for in a good strings teacher?

Is she using a half-size cello?

[sleepy]

phankao:

Is she using a half-size cello?

3/4 size

[phankao]

sleepy:

phankao:

Is she using a half-size cello?

3/4 size

Generally the tone sounds more beautiful with experience. Not sure how to explain. They grow into it. Can't say it sounds unpleasant before that, but just that it sounds more \"immature\" - like a little kid playing, altho' notes not inaccurate. Is that what you are trying to say? Did you ask her teacher about it?

[sacredmusicals]

I play the violin leisurely and I have to say I hate my own sound on the violin. Sounds like chicken being slaughtered, haha. But according to my teacher it depends on the instrument and your ability to hear that nice tone inside your head.

[twilight]

sacredmusicals:

I play the violin leisurely and I have to say I hate my own sound on the violin. Sounds like chicken being slaughtered, haha. But according to my teacher it depends on the instrument and your ability to hear that nice tone inside your head.

I play erhu, but generally agree with you lol. I always feel that the performers' can play a thousand times better than me, although I've been learning erhu for nearly 4 years now. The quality of sound does improve with experience though. When a person just started learning the instrument, all they can play is the individual notes. Slowly, the notes become cohesive, and then become music. I think time is needed to develop the richness of the sound because the ability to coordinate the left and right hand, and also certain techniques require time to learn. All these will ultimately contribute to better sound.

[sleepy]

phankao:

Generally the tone sounds more beautiful with experience. Not sure how to explain. They grow into it. Can't say it sounds unpleasant before that, but just that it sounds more \"immature\" - like a little kid playing, altho' notes not inaccurate. Is that what you are trying to say? Did you ask her teacher about it?

No le, sounds more like slaughtering chicken to me :faint:
Teacher said won't sound delightful so soon, need more time. Yet teacher asked dd to sign up for exam! Huh? This kind of standard can go for exam :nailbite:

[Dreamaurora]

sleepy:

phankao:

Generally the tone sounds more beautiful with experience. Not sure how to explain. They grow into it. Can't say it sounds unpleasant before that, but just that it sounds more \"immature\" - like a little kid playing, altho' notes not inaccurate. Is that what you are trying to say? Did you ask her teacher about it?

No le, sounds more like slaughtering chicken to me :faint:
Teacher said won't sound delightful so soon, need more time. Yet teacher asked dd to sign up for exam! Huh? This kind of standard can go for exam :nailbite:

I think in today's age we have been so highly spoiled by extremely high standard of playing among youngsters that anything less we think it's not good. But fret not, I think we have to emphasize to students that it is the journey that is more important and not the result. Too often we see a great performance and we assume the performer is very gifted and talented, not knowing the amount of hardwork and diligent practice that goes into it.

Exam boards have marking criterias for each grade and examiners have to follow them. Examiners cannot award a fail just because he/she does not like the performance. So technically speaking even if your dd's playing sounds like 'slaughtering chickens' but satisfy their marking criterias e.g. up to speed, secure bowings, etc he will still get the pass.

[sleepy]

Dreamaurora:

Exam boards have marking criterias for each grade and examiners have to follow them. Examiners cannot award a fail just because he/she does not like the performance. So technically speaking even if your dd's playing sounds like 'slaughtering chickens' but satisfy their marking criterias e.g. up to speed, secure bowings, etc he will still get the pass.

So it's dd's problem or teacher's problem if still sounds like 'slaughtering chicken' despites regular practice? Should change teacher?
Any advice what attributes to look out for in a good strings teacher?


My dd is aiming for distinction as her younger sister got a distinction, although different instrument. I feel that the first exam experience is very important. If she can do well, she will gain confidence to continue learning. Hence, I do not want to sign her up for exam hastily & demoralise her if she achieve less than satisfying result

[phankao]

sleepy:

My dd is aiming for distinction as her younger sister got a distinction, although different instrument. I feel that the first exam experience is very important. If she can do well, she will gain confidence to continue learning. Hence, I do not want to sign her up for exam hastily & demoralise her if she achieve less than satisfying result

For grade 3, to get a distinction, just make sure to perfect the areas you can control - namely, the 3 pieces and the scales.

1) scales: accurate intonation and even rhythm to get full marks or near full-marks.

2) 3 pieces: accurate intonation and rhythm will at most get you a merit. You need to add in a wide range of dynamics to get a distinction. Loud/soft, fast/slow plus phrasing. It's not as difficult for Grade 3 pieces, I'd think.

I suppose the teacher and accompanist will train her well on the other sections which are sight-reading and aural.