Spread Peace and Joy with Yo-Yo Ma

A friend sent me information about a contest in which the prize is an opportunity to play with Yo-Yo Ma. Details are on the Indaba Music web site (or click on the photo above).

In celebration of the release of his latest album, Songs of Joy & Peace, which includes contributions by many other artists, such as James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Diana Krall, Chris Botti, and Renée Fleming, Ma has invited amateur and professional musicians to compete for the opportunity to collaborate with him on "Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace)."

On the Indaba website, there are recordings of Ma playing "Dona Nobis Pacem" as a cello solo, as well as a sample counterpoint melody and variations. And the downloadable sheet music to get you going. (It's in treble clef because you don't have to be a cellist to enter.) Participants are encouraged to write their "own counter-melody or record an entirely new set of variations."

It sounds like fun, as well as a nice collaboration of traditional and improvisational music. And, for those of us who don't stand much of a chance of winning, we can use Ma's recording of "Dona Nobis Pacem" as inspiration for our own playing.

Improvisation

My teacher is planning a series of group lessons. I am looking forward to them, as I enjoy playing with others and listening to others play. One workshop will feature contemporary-style cellist Eugene Friesen, who has done several improvisation workshops for us in the past. He also usually has a concert in town, always outstanding.

Workshops are usually held in the Woods Hole community center, a rustic building perched over the water in the exceedingly picturesque town of the same name. In one workshop, a few years ago, about 16 students were arranged in a large circle from youngest to oldest (me). After a few improvisation tips, demonstrations, and examples, Eugene took one of three chairs in the center of the room. The two youngest cellists joined him and the three began to improvise together, using notes from a pentatonic scale. After a minute or so, one of the young cellists was replaced by the next one in line. The music kept going, beautifully, effortlessly, as cellists were signaled to join and leave the performance in the center of the room. Themes were introduced, copied, embellished upon. I was very impressed--and both eager and nervous about playing.

Finally, it was my turn, and I joined the group in the center. My nervousness evaporated, as the music continued, and I was part of it, sometimes following, sometimes leading. Finally, we all ended together, somewhat reluctantly on my part.

I haven't done much with improvisation since, except to occasionally improvise on my own, or, at the last fiddle session, to fiddle tunes. I am looking forward to Eugene's return visit this year!

Improvisational cello fiddling

I have been trying to learn to play fiddle music on the cello by learning tunes on the fiddle, writing them down, transposing them to cello, and then learning them on cello. A very convoluted route, and I don't play either instrument fast or accurately enough to keep up with others in fiddle sessions, except on very easy or slow tunes. Sometimes I tried to work out accompaiment based on guitar chords, but I am not really good at this in the midst of a session. I need to find the time to practice this and to find a fiddler who is willing to work with me, slowly, on this.

Last session, I decided on another route: not trying to play the melody, but improvising a cello baseline, not worrying so much about the chords, but trying to find notes that fit. Sometimes I played little snippets of the tune; sometimes I played long notes; sometimes I tried some pizz. or rhythmic variations. I played an improvisational solo for one tune that I did not know. It felt good.

I am lucky that the fiddlers I play with are so supportive. They like the the cello and think it adds something to the music. It is certainly better than my fiddle playing!