I just bought a cello!

Well, since I'm rarely around here any more, I might as well steal the whole first page for a change, eh?  lol

Anyway, I saw a young man play the bass at a concert the other night...which he did quite well...and he was surprised anyone (and probably especially I?) noticed....then picked up the cello and played one song.  And I had to have one. Checked on Craigslist and found one for $150.  It was 1 1/2 hours away, but everything's at least an hour from here, (people come here to get away from it all!)...and I didn't have anything else to do this afternoon.  So, I now own one.  And it will probably beat me, like several other endeavors of mine....but I had to try it.

So far I can play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (AND the Alphabet Song and Baa Baa Black Sheep!)  :)  in at least 3 keys  (it's tuned in 5ths..how cool is that?!)  

Sounds like a 6 year old, but not bad for 10 minutes.  (at least it doesn't screech like a violin in an amateur's hand!)  :)  

I... am... wicked... jelli! I love the cello and wished I owned one. One of the most beautiful sounding instruments ever invented. If I had one I'd being going all Bach up in here.

:)  @ Steve. 

Beepster...try Craigslist. :)

pdlstl...I was sorta hoping it was the same tuning as the bass guitar.  Last month I got to play a double bass and was quite pleasantly surprised that it was the same tuning as an electric bass (I know...duh...but I really had no idea.)  So I could play the thing!  I mean, again, like a beginner, but still.)  So it made me think maybe this cello thing wouldn't be so mysterious after all.  But we'll see.  That makes 4 instruments I need to practice now.  

Right... 

Well done, Janet.  best wishes on your new endeavor.  

Does Cello spell fun?

All I know is bapu spells Am... which rhymes with ham... which is one of the finer pork products.

Just the opening measures of that is deliciously beautiful!  

That's something to strive for, isn't it?  

Agreed!

Janet...

I will confess that I wish you had posted about this pending purchase before making it (very seriously).

I have been an active classical (amateur solo) bassist for decades, and also have a cello.  If not careful it is easy to get really burned through Craig's List/eBay.

At the very least, please have the instrument checked out by a qualified luthier.  Depending on how the instrument is set up, it could be anything from fairly good to an absolute nightmare needing substantial adjustments to bring it into proper playing condition.  The position of the sound post, the bridge, bridge height, string height above the fingerboard all matter.  Even moving the sound post 1/8" can radically change the sound of the instrument for better or worse.

It is far easier to play an instrument that has been properly set up.  It becomes easier to produce a decent tone with the bow, and it will also help with left hand fingering technique.

Hopefully the instrument does not have any serious structural problems (or if so, that the problems were disclosed).  Some problems are easy fixes, others frightfully expensive.

Depending on the condition of the bow, you may want to get it rehaired.  It is much more difficult to make a good tone with a bow that has worn out, brittle, hair.  Also, depending on the age of the strings, they may need replacing (but at least cello/bass strings last much longer than guitar strings).

Anyway, I really do wish you success with the cello, and that you truly do have a lot of fun with it.  Among other pieces, I hope you are eventually able to work up to at least some of the Bach Cello Suites.

Oh, one other thing, if you could get at least a few cello lessons that would also help.  One can get away with quite a bit, but without learning proper technique, you risk hitting a ceiling, as beyond a certain point, decent technique is required in order to simply be able to play the repetoire.

But again, have fun!!!!

Janet, sorry for being so forward, but these sorts of things hit very close to home.

I really do hope that you have a lot of fun with it.  It can be a great joy to play.

Yes, I have started having hand (and arm) issues the last couple of months, and currently, cannot play in high thumb position without real pain.  It has brought my playing to a standstill (I am not a "yung'un" and bowed bass in the upper thumb positions takes a great deal of strength to play.  There was an 18th century theorist-Burney-who described it as requiring the labor of a horse to play). 

From how you describe the situation, it sounds like your feelings are correct.

But again, do try to get the instrument checked out.  If adjustments are needed, the instrument will become easier to play.  Also, scout around for a good cello method book.  That could also help with learning proper fingerings.

As for bowing: try to keep the bow parallel to the bridge, not angled.  Also, curve all your fingers around the stick.  Unlike violin or viola, for both the cello, and French bow for the bass, the little finger does not rest on top of the stick.  You will want to keep the right thumb angled resting sort of roughly between the grip and the frog (that piece of wood that moves a bit in order to tighten the bow hair), and sort of resting into the upper portion of the end of the frog (not explaining this very well).

As for left hand technique, try to keep the forearm at 90 degrees to the neck (i.e. the angle of the fingerboard).  It will make stopping the strings easier.  One of the more common "sloppy" styles is to let the left elbow droop down.  That is ok in first position, but the moment one starts learning positions (i.e. shifting) a lot of extra wasted motion results, as one then has to raise the elbow up in order to shift on down the instrument.  Also, keeping the fingers of the left hand curved is important, as doing so gives more strength in stopping the strings.

Anyway, hope those comments help.

And again, have fun!!

I can certainly picture you playing one. My youngest son plays cello and is pretty good at it. Played in H.S. Band 4 years. I love the sound of cello and I have a few concertos in my library. Good luck Janet and record us a piano/cello jam! You have Sonar after all. 

Thanks Bill.  I often wonder what all I would have been able to play well had I started when I was young.  Oh well...probably nothing.  And I probably wouldn't have stuck with it. But it would have been easier w/o aches and pains! lol

Bob, I have my days, but hopefully I'll be able to keep those two far apart. :)  

Thanks Pedro. I'll listen to some of those for more inspiration.

And you can bet if I'm ever gonna play anything, it will be as a solo and upfront!  :)  (at least that's what they accuse me of when I play the piano.)  :)  

But how I use it?  Well, it will probably be sorta like a 6-year-old....

Janet


Thanks Pedro. I'll listen to some of those for more inspiration.

And you can bet if I'm ever gonna play anything, it will be as a solo and upfront!  :)  (at least that's what they accuse me of when I play the piano.)  :)  

But how I use it?  Well, it will probably be sorta like a 6-year-old....

Like a 6-year old ...
 
And that is the best way ... kinda turns music inside out a bit, but in the end, you find a way to blend with it!