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For the last few years I have fancied having a go at playing a cello.
Anyone had a go? Any experiences?
Maybe after playing guitar for 15yrs or so it would be a bit of a change.
Would guitar experience help or hinder?
What do you guys reckon
Price of cellos is a bit gobsmacking though Cheers
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Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
Wish I was still 13!!
First chance I get, without buying, I'll give one a go.
Porbably back to guitar straight off.
Experience playing any instrument will help you learn cello, because you'll hopefully have a better idea of what and where the notes are. I notice the difference in speed picking the instrument between the missus' students who've played an instrument before and those who haven't – it's light and day. You'll need to adjust to the fact that it's tuned in fifths, mind.
You're going to need lessons, so budget for that. Otherwise you'll hold the bow wrong and nothing will work. A good teacher will help you find an instrument, too.
Yes, the price is gobsmacking compared to guitars, but you'll want to spend as much as you can afford when you hear the difference in sound that spending more buys. Bows cost a darned sight more than plectrums, too! Oh, and strings are pricier than the most expensive bass strings, too, but you'll not need to change them so often.
I'd suggest starting off by renting. That should help you start off with something playable, rather than the lowest price internet "bargain", which may be crap, unplayable or both. There are often rent to buy arrangements where the money you've already spent is deducted from what you pay to buy the instrument outright.
Where are you based? Sourcing an instrument and a teacher in some parts of the UK might be difficult – we wanted to borrow something decent for the missus to practice on on our hols in the North East a few years ago and could find nothing in the area. We ended up collecting one from outside Cambridge on our drive up from Stansted, taking it back when we were on our way home.
DLM: Live in Cornwall.
Only thing local is a teaching school with reasonably priced lessons and possibility of instrument hire.
I intend to organise something with them, to put me on the right lines so to speak or send me running back to guitar!!
Found your comments vv interesting as Mrs DLM is a pro.
Check that the cello teacher from the school near you specialises in that instrument, if possible. Much better than a "generalist". It's very different from the other stringed instruments: different grip to double bass (German style), and tuned differently; held differently to viola and violin. When your teacher plays, it should ideally sound totally awesome to you.
And it's worth having any instrument you play looked at by a luthier/violin maker: set-up is really important in getting anything out of the box.
Do you tweet? Try finding some local pro cellist to guide you on Twitter. Just an idea. Folk can be accessible there where they aren't otherwise.
DLM: I have googled cello for Cornwall and there is a guy about 20miles away that makes violins, cello's etc.
For a cello his price starts from 10K.
Out of my league!!!
He may be worth a visit for a chat but......
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Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
Most violin makers can't make enough money just building, they live off repairs, maintenance, buying in cheap Asian instruments and setting them up to make them playable.
Proper rosin and decent strings will obviously be a huge help, as others have said, and any pros (builders/teachers/players) will advise you not to skimp in those areas. I'd still say you should rent, not buy, if at all possible, though, sorry, Cat.
Dan is right, the proper bow hold feels really queer, I definitely couldn't do it straight off (couldn't maintain it, either, can't do it now, but then, as I said, I've not practised, just tried it), you have to work on it and keep on being corrected by a teacher as it feels so alien, but it's essential to getting the thing to work properly.
Deffo look into the proper hats, too. Sadly, my head size starts after hat sizes stop in this country, so I need a custom-shop hat, which I can't afford, and have to manage with stretchy one-size fits all wooly ones from the €uro shop, which give me crap tone.
An undercover wife maybe?