In this segment, Ma explains how he was introduced to music through his sister, a violinist. He was discouraged that he could not play as well as her, but he soon discovered the cello. Mister Rogers asks him if his mood influences the way he plays. Ma demonstrates how playing the cello in certain ways can relieve tension. Mister Rogers is also interested in the cello itself, so Ma describes the instrument and where it was made.
Fred Rogers and Yo-Yo Ma became friends after filming this segment for Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Ma went on to appear two more times on the program and, in 2014, received the Fred Rogers Legacy Award from the Fred Rogers Center.
Wynton Marsalis is just as excited to meet Mister Rogers as Fred is to hear his music. Marsalis is a young musician who has already achieved fame. Mister Rogers asks Marsalis for advice for young children who want to learn to play the trumpet.
Itzhak Perlman lets Mister Rogers look carefully at his violin. Mister Rogers asks him to play "Yankee Doodle." Perlman tells how difficult it is to even produce a sound on the violin when you first start playing.
The Fred Rogers Institute Archivist is available for requests and inquiries from students and researchers.
