Cello Report: Starting to Learn Cello as an Adult: Just How Much Can One Improve? Documentary of a 30 Year Experiment

by Chihiro Takeuchi, Martin Stanzeleit (translator)

Cello Report
Starting to Learn Cello as an Just How Much Can One Improve?
Documentary of a 30 Year Experiment

Preface
I remember the first time I played the cello. I was struck with awe, thinking, "How could something this fascinating exist on this earth? How could I have lived my life without knowing about the cello? What a loss I’ve had!" It was truly a fateful encounter. The shape and size of the cello, its deep, rich voice—I was completely captivated.
When I started playing the cello 30 years ago, the prevailing opinion was that adults couldn’t learn a musical instrument anew, lest reach an advanced level. Was that really true? Unconvinced, I diligently attended lessons for 30 years, conducting my own experiment. Regardless of the outcome, those 30 years were incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable.
I decided to compile the events of these 30 years, centering around music, and thus began writing this book. As I wrote, I started to wonder whether this was a book about the cello or a travelogue. However, I believe that my travel experiences have enriched my music, so I included many memories from my journeys as well.
The illustrations in this book are drawn from memory. Some were sketched in hotels during my travels, while others were created anew for this book. They are highly subjective and may not be accurate representations of the actual scenes, but I hope you enjoy them.

Contents
Preface 5
Joining an Amateur Orchestra in 1994 8
Attending Lessons 10
Cello and Physics 16
Soundproofing Measures 19
Amateur Orchestra 20
Practicing Cello 26
Read Music 34
Music Workshop 37
Going to Finland 43
Buy a New Cello 54
In 2002, I got Married 56
Changing Teachers 58
My First Time in Vienna 62
International Music Festival 69
First Cello Class Recital 81
About My Family 83
Total Solar Eclipse in Amami Oshima 86
Owning a Home 94
A New Cello Journey 97
Royal Schools of Music Examination 106
Composition 112
Harmony Lessons 114
Resignation from the University 119
Starting a Cello School 123
Publishing an Instructional Book 127
Vienna and Salzburg 131
Third Time in Vienna 141
Participating in Sollima's 100 Cellos 154
The Beginning of Caregiving 158
The Beginning of the Pandemic 161
Bowing Practice 165
List of Etudes and songs 167
Summary of 30 Years 170

Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Chihuro Takeuchi is a renowned cut-paper artist and the creator of several books. Colors is her third children’s book in English. She lives in Osaka, Japan.