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Featured in everything from film soundtracks to folk music, the sound of the cello is unmistakable -- and profoundly affecting. It may take courage, but you too can learn how to begin to play cello.
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Featured in everything from film soundtracks to folk music, the sound of the cello is unmistakable -- and profoundly affecting. It may take courage, but you too can learn how to begin to play cello.
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Step 1: Find a Good Teacher
How-to-play CDs, videos and websites aside, sources agree there is no substitute for a quality cello teacher. Consult- Area music schools and conservatories.
- Music-oriented community websites
- Area universities or colleges
- Some schools may
- Have age or aptitude requirements.
- Offer financial aid or discounted lessons
- Offer group lessons
- Follow a semester schedule
- As always, consider
- Cost
- Convenience of location
- Schedule
Step 2: Find a Quality Instrument
- Even if you are only hoping to play simple pieces for yourself alone, there is no substitute for a quality instrument. Producing a quality sound, whether during exercises or advanced pieces, will help sustain your motivation to practice. And practice is key. You will want to consider
- New instruments
- Used instruments
- You will also want to take into account
- Cello maker
- Cello age and materials
- Size (half-size, 3/4-size, full size)
- Size of bow
- When you are shopping for an instrument, sources confirm it is best to try before you buy. If your teacher or someone who is knowledgeable about the cello can go along with you to visit the seller, so much the better.
- Sit down with the instrument, resting it against your knees and left breastbone
- Even if you are not entirely familiar with proper positioning, ask yourself if the instrument feels right. Does it feel
- Too large
- Too small
- Especially awkward against your body
- Keep in mind too that, unless your teacher comes to you, you will have to lift, carry, and transport the cello to and from lessons. If a smaller size will be more convenient, it may be a better choice.
Step 3: Get to Know Your Cello
- Once you have acquired a cello, let your fingers and your body become familiar with it:
- Rest it against your left breastbone and knees. Shift it around until it feels comfortable.
- Let your fingers feel the texture of the wood. Run them along the instrument from top to bottom. Your fingers will be doing a lot of the work of playing. In some ways, the cello becomes their playground. Understanding the terrain can be helpful.
- Run your fingers along the strings, experiencing the texture, gauging
- The distance between strings, and
- The distance from scroll to bridge.
- Pluck the strings. Adjust the tension, and pluck once more.
- Pick up your bow.
- Practice holding it in different positions, seated and standing.
- Apply rosin to it, noticing how it insinuates itself into the hairs.
- Practice moving the bow across the strings while sliding your left fingers along the fingerboard.
- Be careful! You will not want to damage the bow before you even get started with lessons.
Step 4: Get to Know Basic Theory
- Before you start lessons, it is a good idea to gain familiarity with fundamentals of theory, such as
- Time signatures
- Bass and treble clefs
- Note values (whole, half, quarter, etc.)
- Scales
- Dynamics
Step 5: Commit to Daily Practice
- Sources agree that even as little as 20 minutes daily is far preferable to one hour four times per week. The development of muscle memory is also a factor. Constancy is key.
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