The technique of playing double-stopped octaves can strike fear into the hearts of many a cellist – it certainly can be a daunting and overwhelming concept for players. But it doesn’t have to be. Here to give his tips on practising and teaching octaves for cellists, as well as how to avoid ‘mental catastrophising’ is Seth Parker Woods. Seth is a Grammy-nominated cellist who is assistant professor of practice - Cello and Chamber Music at Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California, and he provides a Technique article in our brand new March issue on this topic.
Seth’s album Difficult Grace will be released on 14 April on Cedille Records.
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Allemande
Suite for Solo Cello in G major BWV 1007
Johann Sebastian Bach
Seth Parker Woods, cello
Recorded by Sang Wook ’Sunny’ Nam at Jacob’s Well Mastering
Photo credit: Michael Yu