How to Get Started Playing the Cello

If you’ve thought about learning the cello, then this guide will help you get started. We will cover the basics of buying a cello and then go over ways to start learning how to play the cello.

The cello is the second largest instrument in the cello family, but it is also the most popular. Millions of students begin learning the cello every year and many have trouble getting started. By the end of this article, you will know the basics of buying a cello and getting started.

Buying a Cello

If you decided that the cello is the instrument you are meant to play, then this list will be of interest to you to know what you need to get started when you buy a cello:

Finding a good cello, especially for beginners, can seem overwhelming. You are not sure how it’s supposed to sound, look or feel. You have several options when it comes to buying a cello.

Rent a cello

Renting a cello is a good option if you need smaller sizes than the full size, like 1/2 or 3/4. The reason is that outgrowing a cello happens very quickly, so you don’t want to have a whole bunch of cellos around that no one is playing anymore. Instead, you can rent the cello until you need a full size and then make a good investment.

Buy a cello kit online

This option is good if you are just starting out. Maybe you are not sure if you will actually like playing the cello, and so you don’t want to commit to buying a very expensive instrument. Online cello kits are sometimes better in terms of value than buying a beginners cello at a local or luthier’s shop since you often get everything you need to start playing in the package. You might want to wait to buy a cello from a luthier when you are more advanced in your studies. Check our recommended beginner cello kits.

Buy a cello from a local shop or a luthier

It’s recommended that, if you can, you take someone with you who knows about the instrument to a local cello shop to help you find the best match. We recommend bringing a private teacher or parent/relative who has played before.

When you are looking to buy a cello in person, make sure you play as many as you like, and try them out to get a feel for what you’re looking for in a cello. Music stores will usually have a room where people can play the instruments before taking the step to buying one, so don’t be afraid or hesitate to ask if you can play it for a while.

You can also ask if you can take it home to try it for a few days. Some stores allow you to do this. The idea is that you take several cellos and try them all for a few days to really get a feel for them. Don’t feel pressured to buy the instrument if you borrowed it.

Some musicians recommend buying a cello that is of a higher quality than just a beginner cello. The quality of the sound helps improve the quality of playing even for beginners, creating a better sense of achievement.

It’s really up to you. You can either buy a better instrument or get a lower cost beginner cello online to see whether playing the cello is really your thing.

Buying a Cello Bow

Unless you buy an online cello kit, most cellos won’t come with their bows. If the instrument you want to purchase already comes with one, great! You might want to keep that one at the beginning, but consider investing in a bow that will provide balance, weight, and texture to your sound.

 

The rate of bows can vary, but as a general rule, the cello bow should cost about 25% of what your cello costs. You will be surprised to know how much impact a good bow can make on the sound of your cello.

There are two different shapes of bows: round and octagonal. The round bows tend to be more flexible and light. It’s perfect to do detaché or give a warmer sound. The octagonal is stiffer and a little heavier. It makes a darker and louder sound.

While each one works best for different features, you might want to test them both to see which gives a better sound for you.

The material of the bow is also something to take into consideration. The ones you should consider are Brazilwood, Pernambuco, carbon fiber, or fiberglass (this one being the lowest priced option).

Because of different materials, the different weights and sensations, you can find many options with different prices.

Cello Accessories

Since buying a cello is an expensive investment, it’s important to know what you need to buy. Besides the cello itself, there are a number of accessories necessary to play the cello properly and comfortably. We cover the various accessories below, which include: the bow, the case, extra strings, rosin, and tuners. Make sure that when you select your new cello, you get the accessories, too!


Cello Case

In order to keep your cello safe from any damage, you will need a cello case that can protect it while you carry it everywhere. There are so many different types of cases with all price ranges.

What you want to have into consideration is the following:

Material

The case can be made of a hard material, such as fiberglass, wood or compacted foam. These cases protect the cello from almost anything. You can also find cases that are cloth-based. With the differences in material also come the different price ranges. If you will travel a lot with your instrument, it’s recommended you invest in a case that will protect your instrument.

Shape

The shape of a cello case can vary a lot. You can find oblong-shaped cases, which will be a little heavier, but you can store more things, such as more bows, rosins, pencils, music sheet, etc. Halfmoon shape cases can be lighter and easier to carry, but they don’t have that much storage space.

Suspension

Some cases have a higher suspension, which prevents the cello from bumping against the walls of the shell. It’s almost as if it was floating inside the case.

You can check which our guide to choosing the best cello cases.

cello cases


Rock Stops and Endpin Stoppers

Used to keep the cello in place while placing, the rock stop is an essential piece of equipment. They come in a variety of styles. Some include a nylon band and hook that fasten to a chair leg while playing. Others are simply made of rubber and provide enough friction so that the endpin doesn’t slide. To learn more about the different options for endpins, read this guide on cello endpins and rock stops.

Cello Endpin Stop

Xeros Endpin Anchor: Cello


Cello Rock Stop

TROPHY 4080 Rock Stop Bass Endpin Rest


Cello Rosin

Once you have your bow, you need to buy rosin. Rosin is what allows your bow and cello to make sound. Like a bike chain won’t move without grease, a cello bow won’t make sounds against the strings without rosin. The stickiness in the rosin allows the bow to “catch” on the string, pulling it ever so slightly to cause vibrations.

There are two main types of rosin: amber and dark. Dark rosin provides a softer tone and is better suited to cool, dry climates since in warmer climates it gets too sticky. Dark rosin is generally used by cellists who need a softer rosin to make the cello sing. Lighter, amber rosins tend to be harder and denser, making them a good fit for cello

Some rosins even have precious metals inside. Gold rosin is said to produce a warm, clear tone and is appropriate for all instruments. Silver rosin creates a concentrated, bright tone and is especially good for performance in higher positions. It is best suited for the cello or viola.

The next major decision you need to make when choosing rosin is boxed or caked. Most students use boxed rosin to begin with as it is often included with many beginner cello outfits. It is lower quality and can be used by any instrument during any season. In addition, it is less prone to cracking. Caked rosin is used by more advanced players who want a better sound.

Tip: Never touch the hairs of your bow with your hands, because the oils from your skin will reduce the grip the hairs will have on the string, lessening the sound.

There are many different types of rosins. You can try them and see which one you prefer.


Cello Tuner

This is also another thing you’ll need but it’s not really necessary. You can find many tuners in online stores like Amazon, or you can get them in local music stores. This is the one thing you actually don’t need to spend money on!

With today’s technology, you can find many tuner apps for a very low cost, or even for free.

A tuner will be an essential part of your daily practice routine, as you will need to have a reference when tuning your cello, at least until you develop your hearing and can tune your instrument without any additional help.

You can also find tuners on youtube. However, it’s more convenient to have an app, than having to stream a video with the pitches. You can check our guide to the best tuner apps.

Korg CA40 Large Display Auto Chromatic Tuner


Cello Mutes

The purpose of the cello mute is to dampen the sound of the instrument. They are usually made of rubber and are fairly cheap.  You will find in musical compositions that the mute is required by composers to give a different sound to a piece. It’s also very useful when you want to practice and you don’t want to disturb the neighbors. It’s a very handy piece of equipment to have.


Extra Strings

It’s not rare for a string to break, so having some extra around is very handy. The string that is usually more prone to snapping is the A string. So you will most likely have to replace that one more time than any of the other ones. To find out what cello strings we recommend, read our guide on the best cello strings.

Changing strings isn’t a thing only if they break. If you play often (about one hour every day), you should change your strings every 4 – 6 months.

Some of the reasons you should change your strings are your playing habits. Like mentioned above if you play too much, the strings will wear out a lot faster.

The material of the strings can play a huge factor as well. If they are made from gut, they don’t last very long (even though the sound is a lot richer). Steel fabricated strings have a harsher sound, but they last a lot longer. Synthetic nylon strings bring both the warmth of the sound and last long.

The way your cello is set up can also have an impact on the life of the strings. if the grooves on the bridge or the nut of your cello aren’t cut correctly, they can create stress on the strings, shortening their lifespan.

Another reason the strings can wear faster than usual is the way you treat them. Touching them with your hands, dirt and rosin buildup can contribute to having to change your strings faster than desired.

Pirastro Evah Pirazzi 4/4 Gold Cello String Set, Medium, Premium Steel Strings with Ball End, Replacement Accessory for Professional and Student Cello Players


Optional Cello Accessories

We have covered the main things you should look for when buying a cello, but there are some other accessories you can buy such as the following.

Peg Dope and Drops

Peg dope and drops help make hard-to-turn pegs easier to turn and slipping pegs stay put. Think of it like the WD-40 for cello pegs.

415 Eaag4yl. Sl250
See Peg Dope and Drops


Dampit

Dampits are necessary to keep your cello sounding like new and to avoid any cracks when you turn the heat on for the winter. Make sure you buy a dampit (or humidifier) that holds plenty of water, doesn’t leak, and is easy to use.

The Original Dampit Violin Humidifier
See Dampits on Amazon


Pickup or Transducer

A pickup or a transducer is not a required accessory for playing, but it is a fun accessory that you can use to make your cello sound like an electric cello. Just clip or stick it on your cello and get ready to rock out!

Cherub WCP-60V Violin PickupSee Recommended Pickups and Transducers


Cello Amp

A cello amp goes with a transducer or pickup above. You plug your transducer in to the amp using an amp cable and then rock out!
Vox VT20PLUS 20-Watt 1x8 Guitar Combo Amplifier

See Recommended Cello Amps


Cello Polish

If you want your cello to look beautiful, you should consider getting some cello polish and a polishing cloth. Frequent polishing will make your cello look as good as new.
The Original Hill Violin Cleaner and Polish

Buy Cello Polish

 


Cello Stand

Cellos are heavy instruments and it can be very annoying to have to put the cello back in its case every time you play. You may want visitors to see your beautiful instrument whenever they come over or you may want to simply have a cello holder. A cello stand is a great option.

Cello Stand Ornate Wood

See Cello Stands


Cello Chair

Since cellists spend so much of their time sitting while playing cello, why not make that time comfortable at the very least? Having the right cello chair is essential so that you spend less time repositioning yourself on an uncomfortable chair and more time playing.

Wenger Musician Music Posture Chair

See Cello Chairs

 


 

Don’t rush to find all the perfect components right away. Take your time to decide and have a feel for what is right for you. An instrument is always an investment and your companion for a long time. Make sure you choose right! 

Learning How to Play Cello

While we highly recommend getting a private or school cello teacher to learn how to play cello, you may want to try to learn on your own or as a supplement to your music lessons. We’ll cover the various ways that you can learn cello below.

Finding a Private Cello Teacher

Once you’ve bought your cello, you’ll want to find a music teacher. If you’re taking cello lessons through school, then you’re set unless you also want a private cello teacher. If so, read on.

This can be tricky. You will want a private cello teacher who you click with, so don’t despair if the first one you encounter is not the best match, and don’t hesitate to keep on looking if the one you currently have doesn’t work out for you.

Finding a teacher is one of the most important things, even more than buying a good cello. The teacher is the person who will encourage you, match your learning style, have fun with you and create a wonderful relationship with. After all, the whole point of playing the cello is to have fun and enjoy!

You can study in conservatories, with private teachers, in music academies, or in private studios. You can choose depending on where you live and what your goals are. you might just want to start studying in an academy or with a private teacher. As you improve, you could consider joining the private studio of a cellist from your area. You can do some research to see which good celloists live near you and work towards studying with them.

Play-Along Books

One of the most fun ways to learn cello is through a play-along book. These books range from Disney to Christmas songs and include simple sheet music that any beginner will be able to play. Even better, these play-along books usually come with CDs so that students can hear the songs as they’re reading the music. This helps expedite the cello learning process since it combines auditory learning with visual.

Harry Potter Instrumental Solos for Strings: Cello, Book & Online Audio/Software (Pop Instrumental Solos Series)No products found.

See Play-Along Books

YouTube Lessons

YouTube has become a great teaching resource for cello. Students can watch recordings of cello teachers at their leisure and repeat critical lessons. The best part is that students don’t feel intimidated by a live teacher so they can play more confidently. Of course the downside to this is that there is no teacher to give real-time feedback which brings us to our next option.

TakeLessons

TakeLessons.com has become a dominant player in the online music lessons space. They let you take lessons from leading teachers across the world at a time and place convenient for you. They even offer the option to take group lessons so you can save money and learn from other students.

Conclusion

We hope that this guide has helped you understand what it takes to buy and learn to play a cello. The cello has become a popular pastime of many people and it will continue to grow in popularity.

Now you’re ready to make beautiful music (or start the process) and have the best time of your life!

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