Big cello day for me. 3rd Grade beginners, followed by 4th Graders learning the basics of note-reading, then a couple private lessons after school. Then a fun second String Session at Soapbox. A couple new folks came out, so we had 3 celli, 2 violins, and 1 multi-instrumentalist. Nate brought a bunch of effects processors and we tried some of those out with the Yamaha and his Fishman-equipped acoustic cello (+ preamp). Of particular note were the bright green phase shifter and envelope filter pedals. Ira also showed us some pretty cool fiddle-inspired techniques on cello, like a rhythmic bow-hand chop that I’ve got to work on now!
Rock The Cello 
ah, I envy the bow chop skills. Glad to hear you’re playing and teaching up a storm.
the chop isn’t too hard at all! it just takes a day or two to figure out the right bow angle — where it’s not falling out of your hand all the time!