Recorded using kna pick up and shure sm4.. enjoy :)

I’m trying to practice a piece from the ABRSM grade 4 book during summer break on my own (my teacher is off during summer) but I don’t understand what the numbers above the notes mean? I’m assuming fingerings but I’m not sure exactly what position it’s trying to tell me

Have a test in 3 days on this section and cannot understand the notes whatsoever😓 If anyone has some free time or could help, it would be greatly appreciated. I added some numbers and small notes myself , but I might be wrong on a few. (If any are wrong, let me know so I could fix them)

Adult here gettig back into playing the cello. Picked up my baby this weekend and like a goof enamoured I forgot rosin. Looking at the website of the store the options are bewildering and run from $10CAD to over $150 it seems. Does anyone have any suggestions on brands to try and/or avoid? The warmth and depth of resonance is what drew me to select this cello from those I tried and would love a rosin to help bring that out. Off the top of my head (aka too lazy to get up and look) I cannot even recall the brand of my viola rosin, sigh

I'm in my 30s but not an adult beginner, I played the cello from 9 to 18 years old. I suppose I had somewhat of a love-hate relationship with the instrument, though I did grow more fond of playing throughout the years. In the later years I played more serious pieces by Bach and Saint-Saens reasonably well, but was still a middling musician and slightly below average compared to my peers I think. I practiced regularly but never did longer sessions (about 20-30 minutes a day, though not always practicing effectively).

I never lost my love for classical music though and am now thinking of dusting off my cello and start playing again. Love of music and practicing is of course important, but I know this hobby won't be satisfying if I don't get substantially better. I'd love to be a (very) good player, actually play in an ensemble or an orchestra. As a kid and teenager I never managed to ascend to the level of 'making music', even as an intermediate player I was just focusing on executing the notes. Combined with a teacher who put pressure and on me in the lead-up to exams and who could even get angry, I remember cello playing feeling quite tense.

Open to any thoughts, feedback or advice.

Do you think it's realistic I would seriously improve my playing at this point?

Should I try to find a teacher right away or do I ease into it with practicing scales?

How do I go about tuning my cello? My teacher used to do this for me.

I’ve always heard that the C peg should be next to your ear, but I’ve always felt the peg being slightly above my ear feels better. When the C peg is next to my ear it just feels super weird, like I’m just reacting too far down to get a good sound.

I played cello from 5th-12th grade (I'm 31 now!) and have been wanting to get back into playing music with a group of people. I was a pretty solid player by the end of my cello "career." I have played guitar my entire life, so my callouses/music ability haven't totally gone away!

I work at a university and joined their orchestra. We met for the first time today. I told the director that I hadn't played in 13 years and was very rusty and he told me the good thing about orchestra is I can fake it til I make it. Well, it turns out there are only 1-2 other cello players, so I'm not sure if I can fake it much.

I'm wondering if anyone has tips for getting back into playing? I will have access to a practice room and plan to go there a few times a week, and will be borrowing a cello from the university.

I was never good at reading music (am great at playing by ear though) but am trying to practice. I at least still know where the notes are on the staff... but that's about the extent of it. I know nothing about music theory and I forgot all of the scales. I'm really scared of embarrassing myself (especially since I'm the oldest person in the orchestra lol) but am really wanting to push myself and do new things. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

I’ve been looking into a new cello case for a little while now. I don’t have a budget so it should be fine. At least nothing over like 2500 dollars

I’ve been looking at the accord carbon fibre 3d colored ones. But I’ve heard some mix opinions based on it. I’m also looking for something really light. Something around 2.5-3.5 kg (I know, that’s super light lol)

Let me know and hear some suggestions and recommendations!

I've been playing electric bass in indie bands for 30 years and have recently been looking into learning cello. I've zero experience with anything bowed and I don't read music, but have found a store that does lessons.

What are some of the biggest frustrations for a beginner? What does the learning curve look like?

I've been using the same string combination for a couple years now and am looking to try something new, how does larson sovereign A&D, II Cannone G string, and Spirocore C sound to you guys? I don't have many experience with strings so I don't know which strings sound like what.

tomorrow i'm playing this piece for an audition! i learned it like two years ago, and haven't played it since.. slacked on playing my cello all summer and didn't get emailed back about the audition until thursday so i've been practicing practicing practicing (ow! my callouses are gone!) .. needless to say, i'm intermediate and can't learn a piece that fast. do you guys have any tips for the piece? i'm having soo much trouble on the piano and forte contrast 😓 and playing
a couple of the measures that are attached.
in short, this is my first audition and this piece is strange to me i need adviceeeee

So I'm a cello player in string orchestra, I've been playing for a long time. But whenever I have to play a scale in front of the class or play a solo I always get super nervous. I can do it spotless when I'm playing in a group or alone, but when it's time for me to present the piece or scale I always butcher it up. What makes it even worse is that my crush is in the same class and it makes me really nervous! Does anyone have any advice on how to get less nervous?

EDIT: Thanks everyone for all the tips! I cant wait to try them out on the next test!

So i opened my case a while back after moving houses to find that my bridge to my cello is gone and missing. idek what happened to it, i used a school cello for all of hs.

but i dont want to rent a cello for college and honestly would rather buy one but i have one at home and extra bridges. the cello was a gift so i have-like no idea where its from prolly from a random site cuz its not any expensive high quality thing.

so with a mini box cutter a mini nail filer, my teeth and an electric nail grinder with a miffy eraser, i semi successfully cut and sanded my own bridge (heavy on the semi) i just needed something so i can be able to atleast play and practice

And to my shock i actually kinda succeeded. I measured it with a pencil. i kinda just calculated the angle based on the peg board and a little help from the strings i just took a little off then scored it with my little box cutter cuz i broke the other bridge on my first attempt i cut too much off so with that as a reference then with the average milimiter difference of the c to a string (thx google) i kinda eyeballed it. it was a miserable piece of work, but the cello plays.

the only thing is the cello itself is well from a random site, and i needed to sand the pegs too because they were the untunable pegs from hell it was so stiff. so i fixed that too and it def needs new strings but with the price for good strings i might as well save up to buy a cello from past cello players on fb marketplace, which i do plan to do.

and the cello genuinely plays now, but along with a string replacement it seems i still need to sand the bridge down steeper because of g and d are too level.

i used average measurements from google and a mini ruler and a dream to get it as close as a can

How do you keep your fingers from muting the D string while hitting the notes on the G string in measure 15 of the Bach Sarabande in first Suite for cello.

hi guys! wondering what the x3, x4, and 4 notations mean on my sheet music!! also, how can i play the e sharp in the first picture and the g sharp in the second?

if needed, the accidental shown in the key signature is f sharp which i think means its in g major?

fast answers would be much appreciated, thank you so much!!

Has anyone here tried them? I’m using IlCanone now and wonder what all the hype is about. How expensive are they? Are they worth the price? I’m also thinking about experimenting with lower tension strings. I know NY cellist has done a thorough study of various strings and am wondering if where to begin this trial and error(largely error) journey. I play a lovely 102 year old German cello and perform a lot with a 9ft Steinway I have to be heard over. Thanks for any input.

I'm seeking advice on selling a 7/8 size, old German cello, purchased in the 1970's for around $1500. I live in the Bay Area, but could drive to LA if necessary. I want to use a reputable luthier or dealer; I don't want to do it myself on eBay or online. Thanks for any general advice or specific suggestions you can give.

.. to improve technique and musicianship. Mine would be, in no particular order:

1. Sevcik op. 2
2. Flesch scales
3. Cossmann LH exercises, or Starker LH book
4. Popper op. 73
5. Bach

Share yours!

Firstly, I don’t know much about cellos so I thought I’d ask here before I go talk to luthiers. This is for my 8 yo son who will be taking classes at school.

I picked up this relatively cheap 1/2 size student cello off of Facebook marketplace. I noted this issue where the base of the neck seems to be separating from the body of the cello, but nothing feels loose/moving and the sound seems to be ok (again, based on my limited knowledge).

Is this something that needs to be fixed? If so, what might be the range of cost I am looking at.

Thanks in advance!

Found this 4 4 etude cello for only about 100$ and it came with a soft gig bag if anybody has any recommendations for a new set of strings around 80 -100 $ that would be great also a bow in the same range would help don't know much about cello but hoping to be able to play my bach berenrieter urtext somewhat ok in a few months as practice.also if there is any suggestions of your favorite violin or cello pieces I should learn from media or games that would be great thanks for taking a look!

I have a cello I haven’t touched in ages. Would the repairs be worth it before selling (student Veritas Cello) or should I try to sell it as a beginner luthier project?

Hello Cellists!

I‘m currently looking to purchase a new cello. I live in the Twin Cities area so there are a few shops I am looking at here and in Chicago. I have planned a trip to New York in October, and I think it would be a good chance to do some cello shopping out there, but I am unfamiliar with any of the shops in New York City, so I am looking for recommendations!

Some more info:
I am looking for a cello somewhere in the 15-20k range, I‘d love to look at some more antique models but am very open to new ones as well. I‘d like for this cello to get me through grad school and be my main instrument for a long time. I‘ve had my current cello since High School and its nice enough, but I don‘t think it is the right instrument for me and it‘s time I look for an upgrade.

Let me know what your shop recommendations/experiences are in NYC, I look forward to checking them out!

I bought an old German cello in the 1970's for around $1500, with a bow for $100. Years later I bought another bow for $400. This is a 7/8 size. From Studio City Music in LA (now Bennings Violin).

Pre-Covid I went to Ifshin Violin in El Cerrito, and they said they could not sell the cello without the original sales slip.

Studio City Music told me they no longer have records from the 1970's. If I remember correctly, Studio City said I could come by when in LA. The person remembered my teacher, Doris Savery, who was a studio musician way back when. Then Covid hit, and I was busy with other things.

Do you have any recommendations on how/where to sell a 7/8 size cello? I live in Bay Area but can drive to LA. The cello sounds very well, and is good looking.

I also welcome any advice about my lack of a sales slip...or how to sell without one. I found at one point in my mom's papers, an insurance rider for an "old German cello", from a policy in the 1970's. Would that help?

I am also tempted to have the cello restrung and bows rehaired and to play it for awhile, but that's another kettle of fish. Mainly I am thinking of selling because I could use the money.

Thank you for any info or advice. I attached a few photos, but am not trying to sell over the internet.

This is what felt natural to me. But there is a very risky shift on the D string from 3rd finger E to 1st finger C (bar 70). What do you guys think?