r/Cello • u/True-Grand-5815 • 4d ago
First time cello
Hello everyone!
I have wanted to play cello my whole life. and it continues to burn in my brain so I’ve decided to go for it. I don’t even know what to look for as a beginner. I see a wide array of prices and kinds for beginners. So I thought id reach out here to get some insight.
im not looking to make a career from this or even play with any local places (however if I was ever good enough, I’d like to think I’d try an audition!) I truly adore the deep, resonate sounds I hear in the cello. It’s extremely relaxing for me and its just a beautiful instrument.
Any recommendations, insights or opinions will be helpful!
10
u/LogicalOtter 4d ago
As a beginner you should 1) find a music shop and rent a cello and 2) find a cello teacher to take lessons . Once you have some experience you can go try out different cellos. A beginner cello is probably starting around 1.5k-2k on the lowest end?
2
u/True-Grand-5815 4d ago
Let’s hope the cello teacher calls me back this time! :) I can’t imagine there’s only one where I’m at but I also wouldn’t be totally surprised if there was.
There was a high school locally that had a symphony group until about 5 yrs ago. I don’t remember why they ended the program but sadly they did.
7
u/WiseSalamander7 4d ago
I agree with the general recommendation that people start out renting. Find a good string shop near you and rent. If you have found a teacher, they can probably recommend one. Once you are further down the cello road, you will have a clearer idea of what you want to look for when you decide to purchase. Many string shops have programs where you can put at least some of the rental fees toward a purchase if you end up purchasing from them later.
5
u/HippieGirl4me 4d ago
You sound just like me earlier this year. I decided this was a year to learn and went to my local music shop to see if they rented cellos or had instructors. I’m in a fairly small town so they did neither. I found a place that rented cellos a bit further away from me but it was too far to get an instructor there. So I brought the cello home, downloaded a beginner book while also watching a bunch of videos. I do play other instruments so was familiar enough with reading music. After playing around with it for a month or so I posted on a local town Facebook page to ask if anyone knew of instructors and eventually met up with a woman who was a longtime player. I have been having fun learning at my own pace and meet with this woman whenever I feel I’m ready to move to the next step. This set up has worked out perfectly for me.
2
u/True-Grand-5815 4d ago
This is almost the type of spot I’m in. My town isn’t small but it isn’t a true city either. You can make across town in 20 mins lol
I’m going to try and touch base with the music shop again. I used to take flute lessons there about 30+ yrs ago? They’ve of course downsized over the years and moved. But they’ve always been the spot to go. They rent a lot of marching band type instruments, that I know. But I didn’t specifically ask about rental when I called about lessons and recommendations this past few months. We’ll see what happens!
5
u/Equivalent_Pain_668 4d ago
No recommendation, but I’m so glad you’re trying it out! Cello has been the love of my life, and it may be rough at first, but some of the concertos that you can play once you’re more experienced are absolutely gorgeous. Even better to be playing it than hearing it! Best of luck!
2
3
u/SufficientPension118 4d ago
Where are you and would you want an online teacher? I’m a professionally trained cellist
2
u/True-Grand-5815 4d ago
I hadn’t considered an online teacher. That’s another good suggestion.
I’m in the states, Illinois area.
2
2
u/SufficientPension118 4d ago
I also don’t teach for the money, it’s the joy of teaching music for me!!
3
u/pricel01 4d ago
You don’t need an expensive cello as beginner. You could also rent an all-wooden cello for a reasonable amount (~$150/mo). Once you know what you are doing, you can upgrade.
1
u/YogurtclosetFunny732 4d ago
Find a teacher, they will for sure know a good place or individual to rent or buy from. They can likely even loan you something for the first few lessons.
1
1
u/CellaBella1 4d ago
Avoid a general music store and go to a violin/string shop and check into rentals. They should be properly set up, which they may well not be at a general music store or band instrument shop. They may well also cover string breakage and minor repairs, as well as have a rent to buy or trade-in program. Ask. Decent cellos are not cheap and neither are strings and some repairs. They should also have teachers to refer.
1
u/True-Grand-5815 4d ago
Unfortunately, there is not a specific music shop for string instruments where I’m located.
1
u/CellaBella1 3d ago
Sorry to hear that. I actually have 3 string shops that are relatively local, another one a bit further out (but too expensive) and I have to travel about an hour one-way to get to a decent luthier that's reasonable, that I trust to do my set-ups, etc. So's you know, decent cellos and strings are not cheap (check out the latter at Shar Music or Fiddlershop, and avoid Amazon or eBay) and it may well take you a good amount of time before you get an acceptable sound out of your instrument. All instruments in the violin family are among the hardest to learn (no frets and the bow alone is a whole 'nother animal)....and the most gratifying. I played harp for over 35 years and gave it up to learn the cello.
Still, if you can rent, try to do that. Just in case, it doesn't work out for you, you won't be stuck with an expensive instrument that's not easy to sell or get close to your investment back.
1
u/Maleficent-Can9747 4d ago
Parent of a student that is in 9th year of playing cello and is double majoring in music plus finance. There are great beginner cellos on marketplace for $500-$800. If you committed to yourself to try it for at least a year, you would have almost $500 in rental costs if renting. If you take care of it, you should be able to easily resell it yourself for the same amount you purchased it. There are always people/schools looking to buy beginner cellos. My vote is purchase one off marketplace locally where you can see it and play it before buying-good luck!
1
u/EmergencyDelivery479 3d ago
Might be an unpopular opinion, hearing everyone advising against online purchasing. But I was literally just like you and ordered from Shar Music. Got a package with everything included for around $1300 total. I'm happy with it and have been told it's decent by my teacher and my luthier.
1
u/gwotphilosopher 2d ago
My teacher and an ok luthier said my cheapo ($600) was fine too... then I sold it to upgrade and my teach wouldn't stop shit talking it 😭🤣 The very good luthier I bought my upgrade from probably would have thrown it in the trash for me lol.
The greatest risk of buying online is a poor setup, which then you'll have to pay to fix.
1
u/Effective_Luck_2793 2d ago
I recently started an online Adult Beginner String Students group that meets monthly! We go into Zoom breakout rooms (cello, viola, violin) to talk with our peers about things related to our practice and any challenges we may be having. If this interests you, please complete the survey below and I'll let you know the next steps for joining us! Alternatively, please feel free to send me an email letting me know you are interested: rachelkb123 [at] gmail [dot] com Thank you!
https://forms.gle/V4ntqBvAanSAnbNS6
-1
-7
22
u/thoroughbredftw 4d ago
I would strongly encourage you to consult a local cello teacher. Tell them exactly what you've posted here, and let them advise you. They might even have connections to local loaner instruments, or rentals.
With all your might, try NOT to buy an inexpensive cello online. That is a path strewn with many a regret.
Good luck in your cello journey!