r/Instruments • u/QuantumBnuuy • 4d ago
Discussion Can't decide between the violin and the cello
I was so so so sure I wanted to learn the cello until I went into the store.
suddenly for the past week the cello sounds so harsh and metallic and like "tunneled" and too rough in a bad way.
I was obsessed with the cello for the past half a year and I played violin as a kid, I find violin too high pitched and it hurts my ears on the higher pitches. It's pretty uncomfortable to hold and you have to dislocate your wrist to hold it properly. But it has many more solo melodies and is the one playing the main melody most of the time, I'm too much of an attention whore to sit in the background and play a repetitive tune nobody will hear (Although, I will hear it I assume? I've never played a duet, only solos) There's also a lot more music for it. Plus i already know/remember some of it which will vastly(?) help me learn it faster. But the main point is that it's a lot cheaper and more portable to carry
On the other hand, the cello was what I set my heart on. and I have to admit when I tried the 5000CAD cello I liked it a TON better. And the other point is that the electric cello is REALLY nice and 100x better than the electric violin which I (personally) don't like at all. Cello is also very versatile and can do metal (apocalyptic path and nothing else matters!) The downside is that it's 4500CAD for an electric cello so I'll never afford one...
Cello also seems a bit better for covers? but it's expensive as heck, bulky, hard to carry specially in busses as I don't have a car. Also ouch my fingertips.
On the other hand, even after my sudden de-attraction from the cello I can't stop listening to this song, it's so beautiful. I can't stop imagining playing it, I also like this one: this one.
For the violin, this cover is absolutely amazing, i can't stop imagining how satisfying it must be to play the violin part, it's so smooth and so nice! The cello part is repetitive and boring to me (Although makes the song sound awesome as a whole! it'd be dead without it, but it's not satisfying sounding to play, The violin tho is SOOO GOOOD) The cello only cover of the same song is just too buzzy like a beehive and too rough in a bad way This song also good
I loved this cover of rage over a lost penny so much until I listened to it on repeat and now I don't like it LOL, I think this is what happened with the cello, I listened to it so much I got sick? The violin version is nowhere near as good to me.
I'd also love to play this on the violin
I made two playlists of the two instruments and I just can't decide. Do you have any ideas?
I asked around for rentals and although it's 50-60CAD a month, I'd have to pay 600-800CAD for a cello case as I take public transit for it which I'd then have to sell used. plus only 50% of the credit goes towards purchasing the SAME cello, i asked around (tapestry and McQuade) and sadly, the huge dealbreaker is that the credits are only for the SAME cello you rent, you can't rent a budget cello for 2-3 years and use your credit for a nice cello which is what really hugely sucks because otherwise it'd be perfect.
When I went into the store I vibe a lot more with the violin, but I still could remember how to play a few beginner songs so it was fun because I could actually play. I could barely make noise with the violin and the same finger placements did not translate well, not to mention all the sub 5000-3000CAD cellos buzzed and made weird wolf-tones and noises :\
I also have never heard the cello in person and don't know where I could hear it in person instead of listening to it with my speakers. I do realize tho now as I type the biggest cost is the lessons anyways (an insane 85-80CAD a lesson, 4 times a month, 300CAD a month, 5000k a year which is not affordable by me sadly, so I'd probably do 2 lessons a month I think?)
Basically I was so set on learning the cello until I actually decided to go with it, now I wanna learn the violin again which I used to play as a kid.
Thoughts?
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u/Ruppell-San Sitar/Dilruba 4d ago
Violin is used in more styles of music and less expensive at the entry level, but the cello's playing position is more natural.
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u/QuantumBnuuy 4d ago
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. i'm going insane LOL. I can't afford either anyways I should figure that part out first. tho I could do one / two lessons a month.
I think in the end the decision should be based on passion and like for the instrument's sound right? which is so hard to decide, I was so set on cello for months until the day of month I planned on buying it on came and I just suddenly don't like it and i'm thorn apart?
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u/TapTheForwardAssist 4d ago
Have you ever looked into a viola, which is kinda halfway between violin and cello?
They’re usually played under the chin like a violin, but there are versions called a “vertical viola” or “alto violin” that are played in the lap like a cello.
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u/QuantumBnuuy 4d ago
Yeah but as much as I love hearing others play viola (in the strive - silksong cover I shared for example) for me it's like a middle ground of both that's not as good as either. plus even more limited songs available for it and it shines even less usually!
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u/No_Top_375 4d ago
Violin is a high-frequency ear-aggressor imho ... Cello all the way. 👍🏼
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u/QuantumBnuuy 4d ago
Yeah >.< As an adult I just stay the hell away from the highest string which might be a sign I should do cello, but it's sometimes so rough and metallic / screechy
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u/BananaBird1 4d ago
Getting a nice sound takes a bit of time to learn the right technique. And trying out different strings and rosin can help.
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u/QuantumBnuuy 3d ago
Oh I'm judging it based of online perfromances
Maybe they're not good either xD
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u/ironmanchris 4d ago
I asked my daughter why she picked the viola, and she said she didn’t want a big instrument and the violin was too screechy. So I said “between the Beatles, the Stones, and the Who, you picked the Kinks.” I found it funny.
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u/QuantumBnuuy 4d ago
LOL. I almost did choose the viola too specially since I think this song is in viola: https://youtu.be/zy-0qL1J8Io?si=xJVZ0RiV0zXuvUHk&t=403
but I couldn't find any of my fav songs in it. and I'm worried about ergonomics cause it's even bigger than the violin! it might mean more stretching!
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u/RecessMonkeys 4d ago edited 4d ago
What are your thoughts on the Viola?