Expected cello progress?

[chauffeurmummy]

My seven year old has had 8 cello lessons now and I was wondering what sort of progress I should expect her to have made?

I know nothing about stringed instruments so any help would be gratefully received!

Thanks. I am not saying she's Grade 1 standard at all! It's a useful benchmark for me as I understand what that is - so I am just trying to figure out whether she's a third of the way there, half way there etc.

She can play open strings and their corresponding notes using 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th finger. So I believe that means she has 20 notes in total?? She can't do any moving around of her hand or anything like that! Rhythm's fine - she can read the music so doesn't struggle with that. Dynamics are ok too - she gets that from piano. She could probably be more polished - but I am not sure how polished each 'piece' should be before moving on to the next in a tutor book?? I guess that's what we'll be working on over the summer.

Shouldn't you be asking some of these questions of her teacher? It's great that you are interested and involved, but why ask random people on the internet who don't know your child? Her teacher is best placed to advise you.

She sounds amazing actually! But her teacher is the one best placed to comment on tone, bowing, expression, etc.

Grade one only requires standard first-position fingerings - on 'cello that would be 1-34 and 12-4. Shifting on violin (moving hand up and down) isn't required until grade 3 at the earliest, but alternative fingerings (e.g. to get a B-flat) are required from grade 2 and this might mean small shifts for a cellist but I can't work that out without sitting with a cello and doing it.

Grade 1 also requires the ability to slur in a controlled manner (two or three notes in one bow, including slurring of scales - some of my students have found this hard), pieces involving two, three or all four strings, expression and dynamics and good intonation (my students find this tricky as I do NOT allow sticky tape on their instruments, so they may take considerably longer to reach grade 1 but learn to play in tune by ear from the word go). And of course, there are aural and sight-reading requirements. If your DD has learnt another instrument and reads music well, she has a head-start with those.

FWIW, I took grade 1 and passed with a good distinction after a year on violin (started in a class of 8, too), and passed grade 4 with merit a year after, so it's quite possible that your DD could be nearing grade 1 standard although she would need time to learn and polish the repertoire, learn the scales etc.

Having previous knowledge helps a lot - Wafflenose may be amused to know that I genuinely learnt the flute up to around grade 5 in two hours spent by myself, at the age of 16, and a month later was tackling my friend's grade 6 pieces. Awful tone, mind! But seriously, if you read music, are musical, and can remember the fingerings... the rest comes with a little practise.

I still can't play fast stuff, though!

Nothing to worry about - at that stage, fingerings on notes are normal as are the stickies, though I personally hate them and my yr 2 student can play in tune without so I don't think they're necessary. I dislike them because they mean children look at their fingers instead of listening, but it's a personal thing and I'm sure I had them when I started. Usually by the time the tape wears out, or the next size instrument is required, the child has learnt the positioning.

The numbers for fingering are fine, but again I have a thing about it because by grade 1 they have to do sight-reading which isn't numbered. Which is where my last grade 1 fiddler fell down and I'm trying to prevent that issue with the younger ones. If your DD can figure out the fingerings herself, she's just writing them in to help herself learn tunes quicker. No worries.

@chauffeurmummy

Thanks. I am not saying she's Grade 1 standard at all! It's a useful benchmark for me as I understand what that is - so I am just trying to figure out whether she's a third of the way there, half way there etc.

She can play open strings and their corresponding notes using 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th finger. So I believe that means she has 20 notes in total?? She can't do any moving around of her hand or anything like that! Rhythm's fine - she can read the music so doesn't struggle with that. Dynamics are ok too - she gets that from piano. She could probably be more polished - but I am not sure how polished each 'piece' should be before moving on to the next in a tutor book?? I guess that's what we'll be working on over the summer.

My DD started last October. Dd has had 26 lessons. Just wondered what is your DD's progress and if she took any exams, would you mind sharing share your experience

These are how long is a piece of string questions! I doubt my DS could sit properly after 26 lessons.

@Moominmammacat

These are how long is a piece of string questions! I doubt my DS could sit properly after 26 lessons.

DD's teacher also keeps reminding her to sit upright. She started with 30 min lessons and from the start of the summer term she is having 45 minutes lessons...

i know this is an old thread but happy to chip in. my 7yo started cello nearly 18 months ago, in February last year. he took Grade 1 in December (merit), Grade 2 in March (distinction), about to take Grade 3 (next month) but learning G4 repertoire. he practices 6 days a week for around 15 mins so not loads by any means. but i sit with him for every practice, and join his lessons too, so i just repeat what teacher tells him to make sure every practice session is worthwhile. i don't play cello myself, but play the violin so i know enough to be able to support him.

@LuluKentGirl

i know this is an old thread but happy to chip in. my 7yo started cello nearly 18 months ago, in February last year. he took Grade 1 in December (merit), Grade 2 in March (distinction), about to take Grade 3 (next month) but learning G4 repertoire. he practices 6 days a week for around 15 mins so not loads by any means. but i sit with him for every practice, and join his lessons too, so i just repeat what teacher tells him to make sure every practice session is worthwhile. i don't play cello myself, but play the violin so i know enough to be able to support him.

Thank you! Sounds amazing! Would like to hear more about his progress! Was the Abrsm exam in person?

@twinsyang no, he's done Trinity Digital. he does not naturally enjoy performing to camera at all but has adapted well for the exams. he is good at scales and enjoys them so Trinity suits him better than ABRSM performance.