DD wants to learn the cello

[mamato9]

How hard would it be to self teach this instrument. She is learning the guitar right now and the piano so she is learning music. Is there a brand of cellos that you would reccomend?
TIA
Lora

[JennW in SoCal]

With a good book that has lots of pictures of how to hold the bow and how to properly hold the fingerboard, and with a good ear and some knowledge of music, you can start learning independently. I taught myself violin the year I turned 9, then joined the school orchestra that fall.

But, I really think string instruments, well, bowed string instruments, require a teacher before long as there is so much technique that can't be taught through a book. Bowing is difficult, and the key to a good tone. And there is no incentive quite like a lesson to make you practice!

A cello is a big investment, so I'd suggest renting an instrument for a while before buying one. A decent music store should have rentals, and would be able to fit the instrument to your daughter. They would also have a good collection of beginning music books to choose from, and they would have a list of area teachers or of other opportunities for young string players like small orchestras.

This site has a collection of quicktime videos on all kinds of string techniques: http://www.uvm.edu/~mhopkins/string/

By the way, I still play violin, so starting independently can work!

[Verena]

I'm a cello teacher- you don't happen to live in SW VA, do you? :)

Quite frankly, I don't recommend self-teaching, unless, perhaps, you have a teenager who has a great sense of pitch. There is a LOT to be said for one-on-one instruction, the least of which is immediate correction of pitch, posture, tone quality, rhythmic accuracy etc. by a real-life teacher.

Have you explored your area's resources? Do you have a university close by with a music program? Do you know others who take cello lessons? Where do they go? Maybe there is a public or private school close by with an orchestra program?
Although I'm in favor of one-on-one instruction, it can also be very expensive. So, maybe group instruction would be cheaper- at least to get started. If there isn't the option of a local music program (be it univ. or ps), maybe you know of another child who'd like to learn the cello and could hire a teacher together.

As far as instruments, do you have a string shop or violin maker close by? Take someone who knows about instruments and let them play a few in your price range- they can advise you (if you're planning on buying, of course). Some stores also rent. Also, you'll need to get the appropriate size- there are 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full sized instruments.

Usually, student instruments run around $1000-2000- check at www.sharmusic.com or www.southweststrings.com for what they have in that price range. Keep in mind that bow and bag and accessories add up, too- (rosin, musicstand, sheet music, extra strings...).

HTH. Let me know if you have more questions.

[Violet]

I can only offer up our experience. My dd's 11 and 8 take piano and they recently started violin lessons. Violin isn't cello but it's a string instrument. I played piano as a child, so working with them on piano and having that knowledge, has helped. I know nothing about playing strings. They take private lessons and playing a string instrument seems to just involve so much. For example, how to hold the bow. My girls have been working and working on this. The teacher wants to make sure they do this right before they move on because she feels fixing bad habits later is hard. So, IMHO, perhaps you could manage to do some lessons initially at least so that your dd can learn how to hold the bow and all the other technical things involved. I find myself quite overwhelmed trying to help them with the violin. It's HARD at least for me!:confused: I honestly believe that self teaching piano is a much easier thing. This is all just my humble opinion and inexperienced opinion.

Best of luck!
Anita

[mamato9]

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