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!)  :)  

"Cello, is it me you're looking for"

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.

Thumbs up to the tuning! That was one of the things I first learned (and loved) when I switched from pedal steel to mandolin. Makes so much more sense that fourths like the guitar. Enjoy!

:)  @ 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... 

Bah. Tune it whatever way you like if you're just messing around. I doubt tuning it to fourths would throw it out of whack. Have fun.

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

Actually tuning it to E A D G might cause problems... maybe. The low string is supposed to be tuned to C so to get it to E would be two whole tones up. However the extra tension might be compensated for the fact the other four strings tuned to fourths instead of fifths would cause less overall tension on the neck. Might warp it in a weird way though. From Wiki...

Cellos are tuned in fifths, starting with A3, followed by D3, G2, and then C2 (two octaves below middle C) as the lowest string. It is tuned in the same intervals as the viola, but an octave lower. Unlike the violin or viola but similar to the double bass, the cello has an endpin resting on the floor in order to support its heavy weight. The cellist Paul Tortelier (1914–1990) is credited with inventing a bent endpin, enabling the instrument to lie more horizontally than vertically.[3]

Does Cello spell fun?

Beep--I think I'd better try to do it the right way before I try something crazy.  :)

Thanks Old! :)

Ed--hopefully eventually.  I imagine for now it will be work.  But there's a promise of fun in it.  ;)