Up Like a Rocket

Here are the words to Up Like a Rocket as performed in our studio. Our cello version differs slightly from the violin version I hear around Toledo. The "chin and nose" refers to our studio bow fox.

Up like a rocket,
down like the rain.

Back and forth like a choo choo train.

Round and round and round it goes.
Stop on your hand; check his chin and his nose.

French Folk Song

This lovely tune is the anthem of the Suzuki cello world. I don't know that there are official words, so last Saturday we created some in group class. The rhyme scheme we used closely follows the music.

D Ann and E Ann they went out to play,
D Ann and E Ann they had a good day.

Firefly, firefly, firefly green.
Firefly, firefly, firefly bean.

D is the key of my favorite folk song.

Photos from Oberlin Cello Day

Dale Preston took some great photos of cello day at Oberlin last Saturday. Here's the link. Once on the site, click on "slideshow" in the upper right hand corner.

http://www.adoramapix.com/prestophoto/suzukicellofestival

Cello web video site

Hello cello friends:

Long, long ago I went to music camp with an amazing cellist named Luke Pomorski. He's started a website where he posts performances of cello repertoire with piano. He plays with effortless grace and musicality. Better yet, the videos are shot so you can see both of his hands clearly. Check it out!

http://cellojourney.com

Lightly Row

Here are the words I use to Lightly Row. As always, please feel free to create new ones! This song works well as a handwashing song, since it takes about 20 seconds.

Lightly row, lightly row,
o'er the shining waves we go.
Gently gliding, gently gliding,
with the swiftly changing tide.

Let the winds and waters be
clear and calm and still to see.
Drift and float we drift and float
inside our little sailing boat.

Etude performance

Remember the words to Etude? Lucy does. Thanks to Holly, we can view her performance at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W9KYyL36Ic

Bow Fox

Lawrence demonstrates a great bow fox. The thumb touches the fingers behind the tips, leaving some overhang (I call this the "nose"). His thumb also is slightly bent, forming the "chin" of the fox.

Etude

Here are the words we learned to Etude in yesterday's group class. These I learned from Barbara Wampner also.

Henrietta Poppaletta had a special friend to play called

Wilhemina Windowcleaner and she brought along her football,

Henrietta Poppaletta threw the football to her friend called

Wilhemina Windowcleaner and it went right through the window.

Mother came right down the stairs and called to Father,

Father came right down the stairs and quickly picked up

Henrietta Poppaletta, picked her up and scolded her and sent her off to bed.

Happy practicing!

I Love my Cello....

Here are the words to that song we've been using in lessons and group class. This song has been attributed to Margaret Rowell and was taught to me by her student Barbara Wampner. Happy Practicing!

I love my cello very much,
I play it every day.
I love to hear its spinning strings
When my arms fly away.

Parents, be sure to ask your young cellist to fly their arms as you place the cello against them.