Saint-Saëns Masterclass: The Swan - Musings with Inbal Segev

Hello Cellists,
The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns is one of the most familiar compositions in our repertoire and it is known and loved by musicians and non-musicians alike. Whether performed as part of the entire Carnival of the Animals suite or alone as an encore, it is a lyrical, beautiful escape. It’s also a great piece to practice vibrato, sound, slow shifting and smooth position changes.
Below is a link to the manuscript. You will have to scroll down, the Swan (Cygne) is on page 85.
ks.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usi...
Please let me know if you have any comments and/or questions, I would love to hear from you. Thank you for watching!!
Inbal
inbalsegev.com

[@urbanfx2009]

My god your sound is so amazing.... your expression... its hypnotizing, mesmerizing, inspiring, addictive.... just wow... is that the same bow? :) would you sell it ? I hope you do a lot of more masterclasses also on tequnique! I wish id still live in NY, id book you 24/7 as my mentor

[@michaelgregory8670]

Thank you so very much indeed. Mike UK

[@gogonaokichi2847]

I could learn a lot from that video. The piece is very difficult, but I will work hard. Thank you for explaining so politely and thoroughly.

[@PanicKernel2008]

She's one of the best cellist in the world. Thanks youtube she can share her tips.

[@jorisArt]

Best lesson on this. Thanks very much!

[@user-hb7jk5zj6g]

I found this instruction very doable and like the various options shown instead of just “do it this way”

[@exs1803]

Absolutely beautiful............... wish you have played the whole piece once through.

[@fohpono8884]

I’ve loved listening to the Cello ever since watching Charlotte Harris, Lawrence Welk’s sole female Musician, playing it on his show. I have listened to “The Swan” by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns played many times, but your excellent teaching video has given me new appreciation for the skill required to play it well. Thank-you!

[@pecator70]

May I thank you from the bottom of my heart: you are a top notch teacher! And you can translate and display your comments with your beautiful playing! I think you really have a rare gift! Bless you! 🙏

[@mazzenalamri7582]

Even tho I'm not cellist, I've been watching this tutorial over and over and I can't get bored of it!! I love how you teach and play it❤️

[@JesseWetherell]

You might just end up renting a cello and becoming a cellist. 😉😉

[@MikeKoPhotography]

Thank you for your insight to the swan! Love your masterclasses!

[@roriccunningham348]

I was exited to see this one. NH allstate auditions are coming up in a month and this is the piece for it. Thank you so much for this video. It clears up many musically tricky passages. Again, your playing is beautiful!

[@danmaodi3940]

Very rare way of teaching, effective, and very helpful, not only for cello, but for other instruments

[@lizaanmarais2103]

Thank you so much! Absolutely LOVE your masterclasses... 😊

[@marcopilati7464]

lovely!

[@cszrwi]

The details are magical

[@constanza3537]

Thank you!

[@vabl2927]

Please keep doing this! Thank you!

[@enzocypriani5055]

I Love those masterclasses

[@kevinl6231]

Thank you very much. Everything is so subtle. I will watch it over and over.

[@Leonardo-zd7ef]

Thank you very much!

[@ferdinandgerighausen1739]

Love your interpretation!

[@prentisgoodwin848]

Beautiful

[@Luis_Santos.]

What a sound !!!!❤🌹🎶🏅🙏🏾

[@jobmusic4286]

Thank you very much for your advice, really appreciate your crescendo with shoulder technique :) and shifting with whistling sound!

Great lesson!! Thank you!!!

[@Luis_Santos.]

Precious teachings !!!🌹

[@magdamont3121]

Thank you for this video, I was waiting one of them for playing this piece? It's very helpful for me.

[@auroremathon8169]

I started to study the Swan this week, yeah ! Thank you for your precious advices, especially on shifting.

[@xandolucena]

Nice treat, thanks Inbal!

[@AngelA-yn6fl]

Awesome! Super helpful!

[@xxxxxx6873]

You’re an amazing teacher !! Merci beaucoup !!

[@gasparocelloman9852]

These gem like videos are priceless. Pearls of cello wisdom. Abundant generosity, gratefully received.

[@elisabetecosta1033]

Mme. Inbal, merci infiniment :) ça fasait si long temps que j'attendais pour reprendre LE CYGNE ...

[@Numicello]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@revsolution]

Thanks for sharing this. What a beautiful piece of music! I'm inspired by your treatment of the song - though I'm just beginning as a cellist.

[@anitamahdar4826]

Thank you so much for your masterclass.I love your way of teaching.It is so clear and very inspiring.🙏

[@user-st4oi1rv9k]

Thank you so much...

[@bambamcello]

I learn something from each of these literally every time - even if it is the smallest detail. Your shifts have influenced mine a lot. Thank you so much for everything you post.

[@private7384]

really enjoyed this...very helpful! thanks!

[@MatthewCWeiss]

Such beautiful playing! Bravo!!! Bravo!!! I love the downward slides...actually I love everything you do

[@prasadkkprasadkk8635]

Very useful, thanks a lot, and your playing also very beautiful

[@DannyPlaysCello]

I so appreciate your very matter-of-fact and physical instructions. Being autistic, I find teachers using metaphors and visual imagery to convey the desired sound frustrating so this video is perfect for me :D

[@naderat]

Thank you so much Inbal. You're awesome :-)

[@yodzajohanna9837]

beautyful sound and very good technique

[@voicedig9516]

"The Swan" is a beautiful cello song, everyone who wants to learn the cello pull well, thank you for your detailed teaching, very beneficial, hope that new teaching courses on the line, thank you very much!

[@annlandreville]

Thank you so much! Dear beautiful cellist! I really appreciate to have access to original parts when it is possible! You made my day with that and all the great advices that makes me a better cellist! God bless you 🙂

[@Sebastian_Lucca]

Thank you!!

[@mangelicacezario1]

Great!

[@camerontoler6013]

Thanks from Virginia. You gave me great insight for an upcoming audition :)!!

[@mbceye]

Thank you for the explanation. I'm watching it well in South Korea.

[@romulosouzalima6458]

Obrigado e parabéns pelas aulas , espero que continue com as dicas. Forte abraço!!!

[@markh.harris9271]

thank you; enjoyment! I'm new to the cello (Covid anomally) very much appreciate the shift demonstrating; most helpful.

[@stracello]

great, bravissima. Thanks

[@Melekaii]

I just started the Cello yesterday.. Thanks for the insight and inspiration.

[@cellokid5104]

Your cello's sound is so feisty

[@Leonardo-zd7ef]

sensational

[@naderat]

Thank you so much! It's fantastic video :-)

[@namaranico7044]

sehr gut dargestellt💟

[@user-gs8ce6ro9r]

Thank you so much! It is a great job! 👏👏👏Please, make a video with Gulda's Concerto🙏😍

[@Luis_Santos.]

Sure I can't have your sound as a goal, otherwise I will give up playing, your sound is from other galaxy !!!😘🌹👏🏾🙏🏾🎶

[@BurtonJohnson]

You make me want to practice!

[@Inbalsegevcello]

Burton Johnson great! than my mission was accomplished(-:

[@vuke500]

By each step you taught on this video, I followed to learn each skill by getting my cello at the same time, so many techniques of cello that you taught, such as vibrato, bowing, expressions.... for this melodious piece of Swan. I get a lot from you. Many thanks for your teaching and sharing.

[@Inbalsegevcello]

Thank you so much for your kind words, you made my day😘

[@amaanighacham1925]

Thank you i found it really helpful

[@leandrosampaio10]

Difficult to translate into words. A complete manifestation of art. Music, beauty, sensitivity and feeling.

[@kencarpenter2785]

This is ALSO a great piece for slowly getting into the tenor clef!!!

[@bethjob2577]

Thank you Inbal, I’d love a lesson in person with you

[@user-cg5oe6ck9u]

You're so charming.❤

[@mohann2007]

When we get to Master level, we don't even need to support the pinky? That's a Hulk of a pinky. Most importantly anyway, wonderful class!!

[@alexiadavid6873]

Me fascina esta canción, sería bueno saber si lo podes subtitular al castellano para los que te miramos desde Argentina. Excelente vídeo me encanta genial.

[@sm9846]

🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹👏👏👏

[@corneliusnowicki9862]

Why would anyone dislike this? Seriously, what the hell?

[@dougmckay9524]

Hi iam just waiting your I did find a copy of this and only been playing the cello since Feb iam willing to put in the effort

[@Pixietoria]

This is brilliant. I'm just starting to learn this piece on the recorder and it's giving me such food for thought re: phrasing. Thanks so much for uploading this. :)

[@randycousineau9274]

How beautiful you are and how beautiful you play

[@kirkafur3]

I really enjoyed watching this even though I do not have the first clue about anything having to do with producing or playing music.

[@Inbalsegevcello]

So glad to hear that! The more the merrier so- welcome(-:

[@kirkafur3]

@@Inbalsegevcello I encountered ‘The Swan’ by happenstance and was captivated enough to search for a professional’s commentary on the piece.

[@kirkafur3]

In the video you mention The Swan always steals the show. Do you have a personal favorite piece?

[@ticojin584]

👍

[@tammiesworld]

I want to learn Cello.

[@iep4657]

this is a beautiful woman

[@patriciafelix3043]

Thanks for this video, I think it will help a lot. Btw my biggest problem is the vibrato, I can't play it "continuous"

[@SeaRasp]

Patricia Felix keep trying it will develop naturally the more you attempt it

[@corelli111]

Wonderful thankyou !!!!! Is there a link to the sheet music u r using?

[@AnnE-qd5kw]

Inbal Segev Beautiful sound and interpretation! Please keep adding more master classes. You make it look and sound effortless!

[@RobManser77]

Thank you. What are your (or anyone else’s) thoughts on slurring the quavers (eighth notes) in bar 4 - the octave run from F#? Some people seem to, but others don’t.

[@nicholasborelli275]

Beautifully done and explained. A question: When I play this piece and employ vibrato (admittedly intense but not more intense than your own) my entire cello oscillates. I watched the body of your cello as you play and it's virtually stationary. I can't seem to isolate the vibrating finger on my left hand or it's too tense. It happens all of the time and has become a problem for me. Do you have a recommendation to cure it? Thank you.

[@nicholasborelli275]

Thanks so much for your kind reply.

[@kareningram1528]

I've always loved that song. I'm 59 years old an just started learning how to play the cello. I played the violin for 20 years an probably haven't played it for at least 15 years or so. I've been taking lessons for about six months now. When do you suggest to start learning to play the Swan or would you suggest another piece?

[@Inbalsegevcello]

Hi Kittylish 18, the swan is not a beginner piece even though you played the violin before, since we use the higher positions for it(4th, 5th). Once you learned these higher positions you can work on the swan. I recommend the first suite prelude, Menuetts and the third suite Bourees if you are still not there. Your teacher should be able to gage where you are though. Thanks for watching.Inbal

[@nealturner680]

I'm 71, started 6 mos ago. Play vio.in for 2 yrs. I take the swan measure by measure. Know a bit how it works. Makes me More intrested.

[@jacobystephens2000]

Is there anyway you could make a Lalo cello concerto master class?

[@jacobystephens2000]

And I love your master classes they help me so much

[@paarthbamb3464]

Can you provide us the sheet music you're playing with?

[@justinpeel3245]

Words to The Swan / I Wonder... I don't know why life's been hard, on me. Was, it some-thing that I said or I done? I don't know what put me on, this path. I, won-der why there nev-er was an-y love? Why was ter-ror al-ways on, my face? Why could-n't I just play in, the sun. Why was my fa-, ther al-ways, mad. Why did he take, it out on, me? Why did'-nt neigh-bors ev-er, step in? When, they could hear all the cries and the screams. Why are these ques-tions still a part of me? I won-der... And pon-der if... I'll, ev-er, know.

[@snootzie78]

I noticed that you use you third finger a lot in some of the lower register fingerings. Could it be that the vibrato is warmer or consistent compared to other fingers?

[@hellomyfriends9740]

Are you moving the bow position away from the bridge when you lower the vibrato?

[@xitingxie7597]

the weblink above is not working. Are they removed?

[@dougmckay9524]

But how do play tenner

[@hehehowjhdhjw-uz5fc]

How to play tenor? The top line is E

[@kessingerxxx]

In La sierra university school of music California I will take credit in my music assignment I have pertaining in your masters class I will cite you as the master. Dr Kessinger 10/30/21

[@Inbalsegevcello]

Thank you !

[@___hi3453]

You missed a whole line at the end. But it still was good, thx.

[@conradinhawaii7856]

And you obviously missed the whole point of her tutorial. 🙄