You are a brutally honest teacher and that is what I needed. I think what has kept me back from moving further in my cello playing is the constant dependence on a drone or tuner for fear of playing so badly out of tune. I don’t have an amazing ear but I should start to trust it more so that I can move on. Thank you for your videos!
So interesting - I also never used drones..until maybe grad school, when someone suggested it for practicing some excerpts for auditions.. I agree with you that it's important not to get "addicted" - there is a time and place for drones.
Disclaimer: I'm not a cellist, rather I'm learning to play fretless electric bass in tune. I use drones that I've created myself with Sibelius and Logic Pro. Beyond just a long and static note, I've found that having some pitch to refer to all the time is very helpful, much like playing in an ensemble; you're always listening to someone else. One of the things I've made that is really helpful are a major scales in half notes (100 bpm). Scales go around the circle, so C-F-Bb-Eb etc. Playing with the scale is helpful and great way to start a practice session (nice to remind oneself of what all the notes sound like and especially what 'in tune' sounds like). After one time around the circle, do it again placing the notes in a different place on the neck. Then again, but playing a scale a fourth or fifth higher than the recorded scale. Playing modes against the major scales in informative, like an E Phrygian against C (and taking the whole thing around the circle.
I love using cello drones....it's amazing for your ear, even the 'crunch' of a major 7th (G against F#) eventually you'll really HEAR when its perfect. I also find it helps me relax a bit, the fear 'am I playing in tune?" It helps me realize I AM in tune.....Or NOT. lol. Even just practicing against an open next string over helps. THX for the upload as always!!!!
I learned that using a drone doesn't help you play in tune when playing with the melodic aka Pythagorean intonation system and that only perfect intervals, octaves, and unisons will be in tune. I'd only use a drone when the goal is to play in a just intonation system as you would at the beginning of the 4th cello suite Prelude. Do you agree with this?
I can see the benefit for some people, but I prefer to listen to the cello ring and resonate. The sympathetic vibrations of the cello alone are enough for me to judge my intonation.
Important video! Thank you! I ALSO find it very useful for mastering the spacing of ‘imaginary frets’! If I play a C drone, for example, I practice C Major and C minor, and also Ab major, A minor and F scales! So, you can get a lot of mileage from one note!
Thanks! What you are saying, is extremely useful! Thanks for that! As mentioned in the video, I am not really familiar with drones, so this is very eye and mind opening!
@@IliaLaporevcellist Illia, sorry for the slow response! I was glad to read your response to my experiences with drone notes! I think that’s one of the beautiful aspects of playing the cello: the almost transcendent skills to play in tune! It is such a nuanced skill! Playing in a darkened room, eyes closed or with a bandana over the eyes, also helps! It helps one to ‘hear through their fingertips’! Thank you for your sharing your knowledge!
Hola, Maestro. Para ser honesta, esta es la primera vez que escucho sobre los "Cello Drone" y le confieso me intriga el concepto. Definitivamente lo voy a tratar. Por cierto la pieza de fondo que selecciono ( Bach 4 - Bouree ) interesante tempo !! Gracias mil por sus videos.
To know if your thirds and sixths are in tune you can also check the little markings on your usual tuner. I used to think they were random to show what is "still acceptable" but they are not.
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Cello Drones ??? I was worried about a new war weapon, but is a peacefull tip to improve beginers music performance !!! Great video, Master !!!👏🏾🙏🏽🎶🌹🎶
You are a brutally honest teacher and that is what I needed. I think what has kept me back from moving further in my cello playing is the constant dependence on a drone or tuner for fear of playing so badly out of tune. I don’t have an amazing ear but I should start to trust it more so that I can move on. Thank you for your videos!
So interesting - I also never used drones..until maybe grad school, when someone suggested it for practicing some excerpts for auditions.. I agree with you that it's important not to get "addicted" - there is a time and place for drones.
Disclaimer: I'm not a cellist, rather I'm learning to play fretless electric bass in tune. I use drones that I've created myself with Sibelius and Logic Pro. Beyond just a long and static note, I've found that having some pitch to refer to all the time is very helpful, much like playing in an ensemble; you're always listening to someone else. One of the things I've made that is really helpful are a major scales in half notes (100 bpm). Scales go around the circle, so C-F-Bb-Eb etc. Playing with the scale is helpful and great way to start a practice session (nice to remind oneself of what all the notes sound like and especially what 'in tune' sounds like). After one time around the circle, do it again placing the notes in a different place on the neck. Then again, but playing a scale a fourth or fifth higher than the recorded scale. Playing modes against the major scales in informative, like an E Phrygian against C (and taking the whole thing around the circle.
I love using cello drones....it's amazing for your ear, even the 'crunch' of a major 7th (G against F#) eventually you'll really HEAR when its perfect. I also find it helps me relax a bit, the fear 'am I playing in tune?" It helps me realize I AM in tune.....Or NOT. lol. Even just practicing against an open next string over helps. THX for the upload as always!!!!
I learned that using a drone doesn't help you play in tune when playing with the melodic aka Pythagorean intonation system and that only perfect intervals, octaves, and unisons will be in tune. I'd only use a drone when the goal is to play in a just intonation system as you would at the beginning of the 4th cello suite Prelude. Do you agree with this?
I find that I can naturally create a drone just by doing double stops. But it is also nice to play drones from an app or phone as your doing scales.
Wow! This is so helpful! I missed you!
Glad you found it helpful Remy! Good to have you back! 😃
@@IliaLaporevcellist I'm really happy too! 🤗
Yes! Thank you for doing this!
You are welcome Michael! Hope you found it useful!
I can see the benefit for some people, but I prefer to listen to the cello ring and resonate. The sympathetic vibrations of the cello alone are enough for me to judge my intonation.
Important video! Thank you! I ALSO find it very useful for mastering the spacing of ‘imaginary frets’! If I play a C drone, for example, I practice C Major and C minor, and also Ab major, A minor and F scales! So, you can get a lot of mileage from one note!
Thanks! What you are saying, is extremely useful! Thanks for that! As mentioned in the video, I am not really familiar with drones, so this is very eye and mind opening!
@@IliaLaporevcellist Illia, sorry for the slow response! I was glad to read your response to my experiences with drone notes! I think that’s one of the beautiful aspects of playing the cello: the almost transcendent skills to play in tune! It is such a nuanced skill! Playing in a darkened room, eyes closed or with a bandana over the eyes, also helps! It helps one to ‘hear through their fingertips’! Thank you for your sharing your knowledge!
Hola, Maestro. Para ser honesta, esta es la primera vez que escucho sobre los "Cello Drone" y le confieso me intriga el concepto. Definitivamente lo voy a tratar. Por cierto la pieza de fondo que selecciono ( Bach 4 - Bouree ) interesante tempo !! Gracias mil por sus videos.
Thanks for your honest opinion!
Graag gedaan! :)
Drones, leuk! Pas ontdekt. Is fijn om mee te spelen maar vervolgens ook wel weer op eigen oor. Dus een combinatie werkt voor mij het beste.
To know if your thirds and sixths are in tune you can also check the little markings on your usual tuner. I used to think they were random to show what is "still acceptable" but they are not.
Mr. Robert DeMaine always ask students to practice with drones
But it only play drones with open strings only
Mr. Robert DeMaine, fantastic cellist and musicianship! Do you study with him?
@@IliaLaporevcellist No. I watched his masterclass before.