Articles, reviews and testimonies
On this page you will find notes from our professional colleagues about Cellobabies, Violababies & Violinbabies. You will also find the thoughts of teachers who use the methods, and you will see the reactions of parents and pupils.
By colleagues
As Director of Music in an independent prep. school I am delighted with how Cellobabies is inspiring our little cellists to take off musically.
The books are simply written so that all parents (even with little music knowledge)can help their children with their practice. My son (aged 5) has made huge progress with the cello thanks to Cellobabies and still talks knowledgeably about Alice, Charlie, George and Dan. He sings the tunes and enjoys sight-reading new pieces.
Here’s to many more Cellobabies, Violinbabies,and perhaps Pianobabies???
Ros Shaw
Director of Music King's Hall School, Taunton, Somerset
Cellobabies is an all round musical training for very young children who show an interest in the cello. There is a clearly and simply laid out ‘Pupils Workbook’, accompanied by a ‘Teachers and Parents Book’ These include, among others, sol-fa, French time names and posture and bow games. The use of two separate books means that the pupil’s page remains uncluttered and easy to read. The open strings of the cello are introduced as animal characters and each is given its own shape. The stave is then slowly introduced and each string’s shape placed on it. There are some imaginative songs and familiar pieces which encourage the child to compose rhythms and tunes right from the start.
I have used already these books with five pupils ranging from ages three to six, with productive and enthusiastic response. The older pupils find it quite easy and are always wanting to turn the page. The very young children enjoy the games and creativity, while slowly assimilating symbols and actions. For any string teacher working with young pupils, it is a highly valuable resource.
Simon Trentham
[Teacher of Cello at Junior Guildhall, Center Leader for London ESTA] writing in ESTA 'News & Views'
I have found that this very comprehensive method works for all abilities, including pupils with special needs. It makes learning notation and rhythm crystal clear and takes away all the expected complications of teaching. ‘Cellobabies’ makes teaching beginners an easier path. My pupils feel they achieve something every week and they are raring to go. The ‘Cellobabies’ method promotes the children’s work and makes them more creative. It is a refreshing new method which I think is fantastic
Yvette Madden
Strings Co-ordinator for South-East Music centre, Surrey Arts
What our teachers say
I met Kay with a view to starting to teach cellobabies in february 2008. I now have pupils at Kings Hall School Taunton, Wellington Junior School and Millfield Pre Prep. In February 2009 Kay was able to visit and work with my pupils. The day was enjoyed by all, and the cellobabies were given some new ideas (and a new song) to try.
The Cellobabies method works well for me because it has such variety, and scope for teachers to use their imagination. Children can benefit from a wide range of activities in a short session. If their eyes start to glaze over then it is easy to move to something else. The book is cleverly thought out, with plenty of detail, and above all it is great fun.
Audrey Gullick - Cello teacher
Violinbabies is a great way for young children to start on the violin. It addresses the issues of note-reading, rhythm and technique in a fun and engaging manner. Instead of boring technical exercises, there are lots of games to play and fun songs to learn, which instil all the right approaches to violin playing.
In addition, the pupils learn to compose their own ideas, right from the start and therefore they quickly become confident in expressing their own creativity.
Violinbabies ensures that pupils read music with ease, rhythms are no longer panicked and that they are aurally secure. What a great start!
Sara Stagg - Violin teacher
I had always thought that a great technical foundation was what cellists needed for relatively trouble-free progression but now realise that the inner musical ear has to be solidly trained too and that this is probably even more important in the initial stages of learning.
My cellobabies have far more musical security than previous beginners I have started, especially in sight reading, rhythmical skills and intonation. I only wish I had developed this system earlier!
Kay Tucker - Cello teacher
Section 3 of 3 sections < 1 2 3
By parents
You know I feel that I can’t speak too highly of Cellobabies, it has given Thalia not just a good understanding of the basic principles but also a real enjoyment of music which spills over into her play all the time. She writes songs and trys to teach her baby brother and sister about George, Charlie, Dan and Alice and picks out notes when she is listening to music! Having learnt music in a very different environment myself, I really notice the difference in terms of her confidence and enthusiam for music. I would whole heartedly recommend this to anyone with small children.
I’m so grateful to you for the lovely introduction you have given Thalia to cello and Music in general and we will try very hard to keep up the good work.
Richenda Tisdale-Farrelly
‘Lucy has been playing the cello for 2 years. She started when she was only 4 years old. She quickly learnt to identify the 4 strings using Kay’s cello babies method and later progressed to read 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th finger notes as well as the different ryhthms and music symbols.’
‘Lucy sat her first ever music exam [Trinity Guildhall Initial Exam] in June. She is only 6 years old and managed to receive a high distinction.’
‘She is progressing at a remarkable rate and enjoys to play in front of others.’
‘Her successs is largely due to Kay’s patience and excellent teaching. I am sure that her bow grip and general position have been helped by learning at such a young age.’
‘We have been delighted with the progress Lucy has made under Kay’s professional, cheerful and dynamic tutorship and are convinced that starting at such a young age will enable Lucy to develop into a proficient cellist sooner than if we had delayed her start to a later age.’
Dilys Price
My youngest daughter Lily has been attending cello lessons with Kay since just before her 3rd birthday, where she has been taught to read music using the ‘cello babies’ method.’
‘After only 9 short lessons we bought our first book of music [Stepping Stones] which Lily is now working through.’
‘As a mother of three other children who all learnt music in the more conventional ways, I have to say that I have been amazed at the effectiveness of ‘cello babies’ - it is so simple.’
‘I think that cello babies is a wonderful way to introduce small children to music.’
‘I highly recommend it
Anne Mustin
‘I think that it is amazing that my 3 year old can’t read words but she can read music.
Olivia has always wanted to play the cello, to be like her big sister, Cellobabies enabled her to start at the age of two. The lessons are great fun and she really enjoys them.
Sharon Hampshire
My son, aged 4, thoroughly enjoys his cello lesson each week. He started a ‘Cellobabies’ class a year ago with 2 other boys and they have all made remarkable progress. The boys can now play some simple tunes following a line of music and have wonderful bowing skills. They have developed a real love of music, thoroughly enjoying their weekly sessions.’
‘The highlights of my son’s career to date have been performing in his first concert at Christmas and realising that he can read notes from a ‘proper’ music book!
Suzanne Black
Lisa started her cellobaby lessons 6 month ago when she was four and half years old. I didn’t expect that she would have carried on for so long. We are not a musical family and Lisa isn’t particularly interested in music. Its all thanks to Kay who has always been so gentle and encouraging. Lisa is progressing gradually in her own pace. She likes Kay and enjoys playing fun musical games in the cellobaby lessons.
Lisa, at 6, took her Trinity Guildhall Initial Exam and achieved a Merit
Guangli Fordham