Cello progress
I sound better now. After five weeks of working on the cello, I can play “Mary had a little lamb.” lol!
I’ve been doing scales of late, without music to read from. I’m getting the hang of where those next notes are coming from and a better sense that up is lower and down is higher sounding. Basically, the violin players made a big violin and kept the terminology, ignoring the fact that it doesn’t really work any more because the orientation of the cello is not the same as violin.
For instance, “up bow” on the violin means that the bow is actually being pushed up toward the ceiling. “Up bow” on the cello simply means that you’re pushing the bow to the left. Same thing with “down bow,” but in the opposite direction, of course. 
All in all, I’m so glad that I chose to learn cello. I’ve been wondering why it took me so darn long, truth be told.
I still squeal on the A string (the smallest one) when I try to do the higher notes in the scales on it, but most of my squeaks are gone now. Whee!
In other instrument news, our Quiet Moon Shining is doing well on her flute (recorder). She knows B and A on sight, but is having trouble with G adding to the mix. She practices almost like I do on my “ch-ch-ch-cello,” which is to say for long periods of time and frequently. It’s quite surprising that she’s so focused about it.
And, not to forget Red Star Owl, he begins lessons on piano this upcoming Thursday. Mom brought home a piano on Wednesday this past week and he can’t hardly stand that he can’t “make it talk.” Gotta love a little kids’ enthusiasm!