Welcome to this 15th anniversary edition of “Cello Playing for Music Lovers.”
When I set out to share my musical journey with others, I never imagined it would end up being used by thousands of music lovers in all fifty US states, four overseas territories and forty-eight countries around the world (and counting). You are now part of that global community.
Why create a new edition of my book? What has changed in 15 years? Not the cello itself, not the essentials of how to play or, in my view, of how to learn. But there is always room for improvement. The internet or “web” existed when I first wrote this book, but not at a level as consequential as it is today. The amazing quantity and variety of content and functionality it now holds, combined with ever increasing ease and speed of access, has made it a remarkable resource for musicians. It will be at least as different 15 years from now as today’s internet is from 15 years ago (will there still be YouTube? TikTok?), so I’ve tried not to reference it in ways that will become outdated overnight. But this edition does update and add more material that acknowledges, especially for the self-learner, how much it has to offer.
Some early readers provided feedback about how adding video would enhance the utility of the book. That was impractical at the time and is unnecessary now, given the wealth of instructional video clips from skilled, often renowned cellists that are freely available online. However, innumerable edits and fine tunings have been made throughout the book to make it an even more effective, and easier, learning experience. Some are in language, some in layout, and some in organization. The included audio tracks are now better integrated with the lessons, and the tracks themselves are now available for internet download, rather than on a CD, for which fewer and fewer people have available players. Last and perhaps most, I have added a new section to help deliver on not just how to play – but also the why of it.
There is great pleasure to be had just in learning the instrument and bringing forth beautiful sounds. There is true joy to be had in sharing those skills by playing music with others. While the first edition contained some guidance on how to find and join up with
other musicians, in this edition I have added a series of cello and piano duets of popular 20th century American classics to help ease you into learning to play not just the cello, but also to play it with others. The choice of pairing is because there are many people who play piano, making it perhaps the easiest instrument for which to find a musical partner. Once you’ve had a chance to “warm up” on these songs with a piano partner, you’ll be much more comfortable and confident about finding and joining other, larger musical groups.
That I’ve been able to help so many share in my love of music, and of playing this beautiful instrument, is both humbling and also one of the most satisfying accomplishments of my professional life. I owe that satisfaction, in no small part, to you—all of you—who have chosen this book to start your own musical adventure, and to those of you yet to come.
Music lovers all, this second edition is dedicated to you.
Vera M. Jiji
New York City