Freelance Cellist and Teacher
Jennie Khan is an Auckland based cellist and cello teacher. She has a variety of experience performing both here and in Europe and has been teaching students of all ages for many years.
As we get back into work and school for the year it is the perfect time to start developing good habits... or renew the good habits that have been let slide over the holidays.
The key to successful and productive practice is routine and quality. I'm not talking about the quality of the playing but rather the quality of the practice...
Read MoreLearning an instrument can involve many physical challenges and it is often necessary to find a certain level of familiarity in navigating it before things like tone and accuracy can really be fine tuned. However, there are simple exercises that can be practised to simultaneously develop the ear that need only a little technical skill. These are just as important as learning where the notes are on the stave or where to put your fingers.
Read MoreThe foundations of the intonation that we hear is somewhat intuitive, it depends a lot on one's musical exposure. Listening to most western music, be it popular or classical, these combinations of sounds, intervals and chords will sound 'right' to your ear. If however you listen to a lot of jazz or world music your ear will likely be more attuned to different types of harmonies.
Read MoreHaving a good ear is crucial for all musicians. There are a lucky few who have perfect, or absolute, pitch. I am related to at least one of these people, but unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to inherit that particular gene. So, like most, I have had to learn to develop 'relative pitch'.
Read More
