Want to understand the cello so you can improvise and play the songs you love without relying on sheet music?
Discover your unique way of expressing yourself artistically and musically through improvisation
Relying exclusively on sheet music can stifle your own creative voice as a cellist. When bound by the written notes, you may find it challenging to inject your personal style or emotional depth into performances. This constraint can diminish your enjoyment and satisfaction in playing, as you're unable to adapt the music to reflect your feelings or spontaneous inspirations.
Without the ability to improvise, you might feel frustrated and constrained in musical environments that require flexibility. Whether it's a jam session with friends, a request from an audience, or simply the desire to play along with a favorite track at home, your dependence on prepared sheet music can limit your participation and enjoyment in these freely expressive opportunities.
To break free from these limitations and enhance your personal expression on the cello, consider adopting an integrated approach to music theory and cello improvisation education. Here’s how this can transform your playing:
Understanding of music theory and its cello application
By deepening your understanding of music theory, you'll gain the tools to understand the building blocks of music. This knowledge allows you to predict where a piece is going and how you can contribute your own notes and style, giving you the language to express yourself musically.
Engage in practical improvisation
Practical improvisation exercises are essential to translate theoretical knowledge into expressive playing. Engage in activities that challenge you to play by ear, respond to different genres, and collaborate in real-time with other musicians. This practical experience builds your confidence to perform without sheet music, letting your personal musical intuition guide you.
Ear Training
Ear training is crucial for improvisation as it enhances your ability to identify and replicate pitches, intervals, chords, and rhythms by ear. This skill allows you to quickly and accurately respond to the music around you, making it easier to join in on impromptu jam sessions or adapt to unexpected musical changes.
Here are two of my original students
“Guy is by far the best teacher and mentor for music in South Florida. I’ve worked with him for over 7 years and he took me from wanting to quit to going to Berkeley College of Music for cello performance. He not only helps you with playing your instrument but also understanding music theory through your instrument, as well as gives you opportunities to see the industry first hand. 10/10 teacher”
“Guy Michel is the cello teacher I always wanted. I’m learning proper technique within the context of songs I love. This suits me perfectly. Guy’s enthusiasm for the cello and all the ways we can learn to play and use it to express ourselves is infectious and inspiring”
71 year old improvising over a C major scale
Hi, I’m Guy Michel. Your Cello Improvisation Educator
I understand the struggle of not being able to play independently from sheet music. I’ve been there. I started with improvising in Haiti but lost it when I came to the US by not being in an environment that nurtured it. I was only able to study music through the traditional way of classical music and orchestra so I lost the ability to improvise and express myself freely without sheet music
I regained that ability by going to open mics and jamming out with other musicians who were able to improvise to different genres of music. That has allowed me to work with different musicians and in different settings locally, nationally and internationally. I’d like to help you do the same with your instrument
Are you ready to get started on your cello improvisation education journey?