Cello or Violin? I picked Cello, and Here's Why You Should, Too | Adult Learners
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- čas přidán 26. 01. 2021
- For you adult learners out there trying to decide between starting violin or cello as a new passion project, I have some advice!
Both are fantastic instruments, but here's why I think you should pick the cello if you're starting out later in life...
Cello in 30 Days: The Ultimate Beginner Course
www.adultcello.com/courses
Billy Tobenkin is a Los Angeles-based cellist who specializes in teaching adult learners. As a professional cellist who started playing the cello from scratch at 25, he is in a unique position to help others, like him, who found the cello later in life. He has developed strategies from his own musical journey to accelerate the learning process, and he is here to share them with you.
Please contact him at billy@adultcello.com with any questions or comments! Or visit adultcello.com
I am a cello teacher, and i see great progress in my adult students, it is a heavy instrument to carry around too, plus to be honest, sad pieces sound great on cello 😅
Everything sounds great on the big violin!
I would add that the resonance of cello in your chest fights anxiety and relieves stress after a busy day at work 😁
Oooooh, that makes perfect sense - I have similar effects from singing, especially in the lower ranges - lucky enough I'm a contralto xD
One advantage of the cello over the violin is that because the notes are fingered farther apart on the cello (because of its larger size), it is more 'forgiving' if one misses the mark slightly. That is, a slight mistake on the violin is more out-of-tune than the same distance of a mistake on a cello.
Ugh I wish more people would mention this - I’m classically trained on violin and the literal hardest part is getting the intonation right because if you move your finger a literal hairs breath it’s OFF TUNE. I’m not saying cello players are less good, it’s just physics.
@@thsnwllcmttmrw Thanks. I play bass, so I have even more 'room for error'!
Do you need bigger hands to play cello? I play violin so just curious.
@@juliejules7780 In addition, are some hands too big to play violin?
@@bobjacobson858 I'm not sure but I had a friend say he couldn't play violin because his hands were too big so he played viola
I’m hoping to learn both Violin and Cello. I’ve already refined Violin well but I don’t own a cello. This was helpful!
Thanks so much, and thanks for your comment!
@@adultcello You’re welcome. Keep inspiring!
@SirBaum I’d like every kind of stringed instrument available, so yeah I would like to try Viola.
@SirBaum Viola is relatively easy to learn if you already know how to play cello and violin; it's tuned the same as a cello, but plays like a slightly more spaced out violin. So the ergonomics of playing will be the same as the violin, but learning the neck layout and notes is the same as cello. The only difficulty is learning to get the notes in tune, since it requires more spaced out fingers than violin.
I play both:)
as an adult learner myself (30yrs piano playing background), I have learnt both violin and cello myself in my 30s and I personally found cello did come a lot more natural than the violin. Both are beautiful instruments but I progressed a lot faster in the cello than in the violin,
the only down side of cello is the pain to travel with -- both daily life and international air travel so that needs to be considered for people wanting to learn an instrument.
That's a great point, when it comes to portability you are going to have a MUCH easier day of travel if you're a violinist!
I think if I traveled it would be with an electric one that could pack down. I wouldn't trust checking an instrument with anyone. I may even buy the cello it's own seat if I HAD to fly.
@@LaineyBug2020 Most cellists buy a seat for the cello. They won't put it in the hold.
So happy I found your page! I got a cello when I was 16, and cried happy tears.. but then never took the initiative to find a teacher or really learn - just being able to draw the bow across the strings made me happy enough. Fast forward past college and a pandemic, I'm 24 and ready to learn for real!! Its so exciting to see so many other adult learners here and seeing you start at 25 and being so accomplished 😊 thanks for being here!!
Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it! This sounds like the perfect time for you to dive in and get started! You're definitely in good company :)
I picked up viola at the tender age of 42.
Omg, I can relate so much! When I started cello 6 month ago I was 24, and I'd been listening to classical music and very much enjoying it for a few years (but had almost none musical experience). I really wanted to find out more about how the music works and why it has an effect on me that it does.
Then at some point I became completely obsessed with the idea of playing the cello (it was Bach for me haha). I felt I just needed to do it, I couldn't even explain to myself why this desire was so intense. And then Corona began and music schools were closed, so I really suffered those few months in spring when I couldn't start (but I took this time to do a Coursera course in music theory to better prepare myself).
When I finally had a lesson in summer it was so unbelievably good, I think in part due to all the waiting :) I play now and enjoy it a lot, one of the best decisions in my life.
Just funny to hear that you experienced such an intense obsession as well!
Hi Yana, our stories have so many similarities! That's wonderful that you have already begun music theory, studying it has made me appreciate all music genres all the more! Thanks for your comment, it's wonderful to read about others who found the cello and dove right in!
What course did you take? I have to wait to take up cello as well but would love to use that time productively :)
I started violin at age 8 and started cello at age 23. I was lucky enough to play my first cello gig this past Sunday, and I was shocked at how low pressure it was! Whenever I'm asked to play violin on gigs, I immediately feel a strong sense of responsibility to choose the pieces wisely and practice constantly because I'm always exposed up in the high register. Cello is such a comfort to me now.
I totally agree with you on these points, you nailed it there. I started violin more than a couple of decades later than you started cello, and its been 10 years for me now. In the beginning, 10 months into violin, I had tried a cello out for 3 months, but I decided to stay with violin. I can tell you with certainly, that today after 10 years, I would be alot better on the cello than on the violin. The ergonomics is awkward, vibrato is harder to do, and its too easy to get a crappy sound. However, after a truck-load of perseverance, my body has adapted over time, and vibrato is finally coming along to where I want it to be. I recommend to adults, more so older adults, to consider cello, but go for violin if that's what you really want, and enjoy the journey with whatever you choose.
I’m 29 years old and have always wanted to learn an instrument. I just rented my first cello (jay haide) and had my first cello lesson with an instructor on Monday :)
Enjoy !! And how re things going now, 4 mos later ( May '23) ?
I'm 30 and have been playing guitar since I was 13 years old. In my late high school years, I came across Flamenco and fell in love with the style and the fact it's different music. When I was 25, I got a violin because I love classical musical and really wanted to learn. After knowing the guitar, I gave up too fast on the violin. I want to pick it up again, but first, I just got a cello and yes it is easier than the violin. But I hope that learning the cello will help me with the violin as both instruments are so unique and beautiful. Love your videos!
Thanks so much! I do think that having experience on the cello would better prepare you for tackling the violin. The principles of drawing a good sound with the bow are similar enough that some of it would transfer across. Good luck with both instruments, it will be wonderful to be able to play both of them and to appreciate their unique qualities!
Cello is only easier at the beginning. Later it's far more difficult, 4 or 5 keys, bass, tenor, soprano (two kinds),even alto. You have much bigger jumps, thumb position, playing chords is much easier on the violin.
Great hair. Great advice. Thank you.
Excellent real world comparison. Thank you.
I'm inspired to start learning how to play the cello. All thanks to youtube for bringing up your channel for me.
Thank you for telling me this. I have recently chosen a strong elective for middle school and has a choice between cello, violin, and something else. This helped me decide in my situation.
Bravo, you explain things so clearly and effortlessly.
Thanks so much, I really appreciate it!
It's so funny that while I agree with everything you said, your reason #3 is the part I like least about playing the cello lol. I get angry looking at boring cello parts in orchestra music or early classical quartets; I didn't work so hard practicing my cello so I could play boring notes over and over while someone else gets all the melody XD.
Haha I know what you mean! I think it's a great thing for easing into the world of sublime chamber music, but thank goodness there's so much wonderful repertoire with substantial cello parts as well! :)
I feel like I moved a little too fast and chose violin on a whim. But now I’m drawn to the cello. Thank you for your insight! My violin teacher who is also a cello major is all for it if I want to pursue it. She said she might be a bit biased towards cello 😂. But both instruments are beautiful and have their own special qualities and sound!
I wish people would stop bullying each other everywhere. It's so boring 🤨, just stop it. The violinists bully the violists, the cellists bully the violinists and everybody bullies the recorder players. I have played / play multiple instruments: recorder family, guitar, trumpet, violin and viola. You are never too old to learn anything you want to learn. I started the violin with 46 and I never had the beginners tone. And overall it isn't that difficult for me. It really depends how much you love the thing you are doing. The violin is a beautiful instrument which enables you to express your deepest feelings to the world. I would never discourage anyone to learn a musical instrument wether it's a violin or something else. This world needs much more music and we need all musicians we can possibly get hold of. So, yes, please do learn the violin and the cello and everything else as well!
Also I hate when I explain to my friends what a viola is but they just call it a violin
@@saw9634 exactly 🥲
I get why you get so mad, yet I don't think what he's doing is bullying. But I want to thank you for the positive message you sent. I'm 41 and just started to learn cello but still not sure if changing to violin. My hands are small and don't want to make myself things more difficult than needed. Both instruments are so beautiful for me. Still need some good piece of advice and I think that's what this man was trying to do for people like me. I thank you both for sharing this.
Beautifully said!
Thanks for a great easy to listen video. I'm 48 and have always loved the sound of the cello. I remember seeing one played in airwolf and how it drew me. Now Im doing my research and exploring learning to play. I doubt ill get to the level of playing for others. But to sit by a creek or pond to play while listening to the water sounds perfect.
. I am thinking it might be better for me to acquire a tradition cello and play it on the right side (i.e. scroll on the right shoulder, right hand on the fingerboard and left hand with the bow) and try to make due. Perché, I lack figures in my left hand, and had thought it best to peruse such so have a traditional 5-fingered-hand available to the finger board. Have you ever heard mention of any one trying something similar?
I am so lenient towards a cello I just love the sound. This video is really encouraging me to pick up on it and learn it. I’ve always wanted to.
I say go for it! Learning to make those sounds for yourself is definitely worth it!
I'm a figure skater. I'm used to having arms up at shoulder level and other various positions that are at various levels.
Why just learn just the cello when you can learn both. 😁 I will be starting to save for a student cello soon. I love the rich haunting sound that a cello creates.
Thanks for your comment! I'm glad to hear you're going to start the cello soon, it really is a wonderful experience!
Looking at finishing a Bachelors in Music with the Cello. I have no prior music experience at my current middle age, and I am feeling everything you are saying.
Hi, I am a singer, composer and multi-instrunentalist (piano, flute and guitar) and I always had the idea of learning cello or violin as well (even before I played guitar) lately I was longing for the ability to play a string instrument, especially the cello sounded amazing for my way of composing. But as always, I thought I am too old. (Now 32) found your channel and it inspired me to sign up for my first lesson. ❤️Thank you so much for you videos and channel. I let you know, when I can perform my own compositions😅
It's wonderful to read your message, I'm so happy to hear that you decided to get your cello journey started! Thanks for your message and I look forward to hearing those cello compositions! :)
This is very helpful and inspiring!
Glad that I have found your channel.
Literally, I started off cello a few day ago. I am 44! \O/ Bravo!!
Congratulations❤
Don't settle for the less, learn the instrument you want to play rather than the easier one. If it's the cello, fine, but if it's the violin, go for it and you will achieve it. Just use a mute or adjust the tone knob on an electric violin to get less nail scratch noise when you're a beginner.
You made some great points. I started with violin in my early forties. Now I'm a singer and i have excellent pitch. My husband an upright bassist, was skeptical of me learning the violin. He was so happy that my beginning violin sound because i have good intonation. Yet you are right about the posture it's tiring. Just recently, he bought me a cello during a going out of business sale. I had always wanted to try it. To my suprise, I LOVE PLAYING THE CELLO!!! I mean i really love it. Like i wish i could go back in time and tell my parents, i need to play the cello. The posture is one thing but the sound, the process of learning is just natural to me. It's such a satisfying feeling and means of musical expression. If you are on the fence. Pick the cello. You can hug your cello too! Hahaha! 😂🤣
I love your comment, and thank goodness your husband bought you that cello! Thanks for writing!
It also has the most beautiful sound. If you're a beginning the sound you make is just boring. On the violin it's positively grating.
I'm 43, studied piano for a few years when I was small. I always wanted to learn the cello. I thought it unusual to be drawn to the instrument because of a lovely piece of music..but I was relieved when you mentioned the same thing :) I wish to be able to play The Swan one day.
I was drawn to the cello by the Swan. A lot of cellists were.
My parents bought me a violin for Christmas in 2000; I was 18 then. At that time, I was obsessed with the Dave Matthews Band since their (former) violinist Boyd Tinsley often stole the shows and had some wonderful solos. I didn't start playing until 2008 and had to quit for years due to graduate school. Now I'm in a good place that I practice with enough frequency and doing better, but lately I've taken an interest in the cello for I have always loved its deep somber tones and wish I had taken to it much earlier and that I had more time to devote to it for a local music store sells nothing but string instruments. I love the violin and want to be able to master it, but I may have to save the cello for my mid-life crisis.
Thanks so much for your comment! The cello is always available when it becomes the right time, and anyway the violin is an amazing instrument!
I am a 44 years old Cello Beginner and I am just happy tbat I have choosen the Cello instead of the Violin, after I listened to you video 😁🙏
So true. I learnt the clarinet as a child, and it hurt my thumb and my mouth, constantly. When choosing the cello as an adult learner, comfort was a major consideration. To get good you need to practise, and you’re not going to do that if it brings discomfort or even pain. The cello (and piano) are the most comfortable instruments to play that I know of.
Well, no. The cello is difficult, the thumb position is painful unless you've practiced a lot with the thumb and grown a callous. It's also phsysically hard. I have had health problems and simply was too weak to play cello, but could play guitar and piano.
I'll have my first cello lesson this saturday as a 40 years old learner ! I hesitated for a few months - violin ? viola ? violin ? I picked cello in the end. Thanks for your arguments ;-)
#90. New subscriber, & noted; 1 ergonomics?. 2 elementary tones produced, 3rd shared (positive) teamwork. Pretty damn compelling. Thanks too four the background music adding that finished touch.
Thanks so much, and for subscribing, I really appreciate it!
I play cello since I was 13 years old and I love it I’m currently 40 years old my daughter is 4 almost 5 learning the cello
I’ve played violin for 9 years. Honestly really want to learn cello someday in the near ish future! Making the switch might save me from carpel tunnel lol
You should do it, it's a fantastic instrument!
I’m watching this video because I’ve been inspired by “one performance in particular” and have been “listening to it multiple times a day” too! 😅 What an uncanny coincidence, no lie!
And greatly enjoying this violin roast since it’s the instrument I grew up with and struggled with.😂 ESPECIALLY the posture. No shade to the violin
The piece that inspires me is Saint Saens Cello Concerto no.1 with Bruno Philippe, btw. Thank you for the great video!
Yes, viola is often left out, but we do exist;-)) Just saying.... Bass as well...
I rented a cello a few years back, but at 6'6", I couldn't 'find' the proper position that the video I was following wanted me to achieve, so I ultimately decided I was too giant for it and gave up. Possibly a teacher could have helped me adjust, but I didn't get that far. But it's a beautiful instrument, and I've always been drawn to its pieces. Your videos are well done, I wish your new(ish) channel luck!
Hi Michael, thanks so much for your comment! Sitting with the cello as a very tall person definitely requires a bit of adjustment compared to people of average height, but on the other hand having large hands and long arms are definitely a plus, so I hope you consider giving it a try again if you still have the interest!
I think you should go for it! As a woman who is 5'2" with extremely small hands (six inches from middle finger to end of palm and my pinky is two inches long) your overall size is a total asset. You'll have no issue moving all over the fingerboard and I think once you have the instrument in hand, finding the right seated position will come naturally. It's a very big instrument for me and I play a 7/8 size. If you love it, do it!
. I am thinking it might be better for me to acquire a tradition cello and play it on the right side (i.e. scroll on the right shoulder, right hand on the fingerboard and left hand with the bow) and try to make due. Perché, I lack figures in my left hand, and had thought it best to peruse such so have a traditional 5-fingered-hand available to the finger board. Have you ever heard mention of any one trying something similar?
¿ Cuál de los 2 transmite más nostalgia y melancolía ? ¿ El violonchelo o el violín ?
I started playing at 27 (I'm now 30) after having played the viola in my elementary and middle school years. As a very small woman I definitely struggle to play at times. I play a 7/8 size cello and even that's a stretch sometimes...my pinky for example is barely two inches long so my reach and strength are lacking. I'm definitely built for the violin, but I love the cello so much that I'm willing to work through the pain haha. I've definitely improved over time. Lack of repertoire can be frustrating sometimes for sure. Since I don't play with anyone else currently, I just find the songs I like and figure out how to the play them on the cello. I'm currently working on the melody of the Rondeau from Purcell's Abdelazer suite which has been an interesting test in dexterity as it requires a lot of quick string crossings. It was definitely made for a smaller instrument haha. I'm glad to have found your channel. I always love following other adult starters!
Thanks so much for your message and I love your story because I totally agree that when there's a will, there's always a way! Figuring out how to make our physiques work best on the cello is one of my favorite puzzles to solve, because every oerson and every cello is different!
Thank you a lot
I'm mostly learning cello to write music anyways...
I'll probably pick up a violin later too so I can use that.
After that, other instruments can be VST plugins since strings are the most dynamic... My GF plays flute too.
You convinced me!
I've always wanted to play on a string intrument, so I have started learning playing violin for 2 years and a half. I haven't mastered it yet. But recently I want to try learning on the chello. Is this transition from violin to chello healthy? And is my knowledge in playing the violin could help me in learning playing on chello?
I learned violin at 35 cuz i thought it sounded cool. Buskers on the street, Mozart concertos on the radio inspired me at first. It took years to feel comfortable twisting my wrist etc. I guess i continued cuz i was stubborn and i like a challenge. It's been 15 years so far.
Which cello was it you bought for 270? Beginner cellist looking to buy on the lower end for now. 🤞🏾
Hello there! i have no musical background, i have small hands and i can't read music sheets (i tried at school a long time ago, but my brain refuse to understand, i'm not smart at all so maybe that's why). My only way to have good marks was to play by ear and memorize notes). I'm 26 now, and i've always wanted to learn to play an instrument but what i mentionned above always stopped me. So my question is, do you think i can/should start with Cello or something totally different? thanks for the video!
Nice video thank you ❤️❤️
My pleasure, thanks for your comment!
I'm sort of stuck in a situation where I 1) don't have enough money for the instrument, rosin, case, lessons, etc. 2) don't have a music instrument shop near me where I can try things out and 3) have this strong, deep emotion that causes me to get chest pain whenever I hear for example Bach's Cello Suite no. 5 in C minor cause I'm like "I love this piece, I want to learn it, C minor is one of my favorite keys to play in as a pianist and to listen to as a classical music listener, in part because of Beethoven" but at the same time I'm like "If only I had the money, then I could pursue this".
The beginning of this cello journey, it's just been an emotional rollercoaster. Everything from tears of joy upon hearing Bach to astonishment at how much money is needed just to start it to sadness at the fact that I don't even have half of it to thinking maybe I could prepare the basics on violin to sadness at the violin I have not being in playing condition and my nearest luthier being unavailable for an undetermined length of time to being told that playing the violin would just lead to confusion and make the transition between violin and cello even worse than if I just started with the cello from where I'm at now, a pianist looking for that ideal second instrument.
But yeah, you make a good point about the beginner sound and I find that even otherwise excellent violin players will sometimes still get that like grating, almost nails on chalkboard type sound as they go into the third octave and higher. Whereas I've never, just never heard that kind of grating sound on cello regardless of how high the player goes.
Originally people played the violin - or rather the predecessors of the violin - upside down. So, it's like you play a mini cello that rests on one knee, or perhaps both knees if you close your legs. In Northwest-Africa they still play the violin upside down like that. Similar to how the "erhu" is played in China.
I play the violin like that as well, because of my culture. But it comes as convenient, because I already have enough neck pain from looking down at my phone screen all day...
where is the best place to buy a cello online?
This was great. I am curious what is the story with the cello in the glass case behind you?
Hi Carrie! That's actually just my backup cello in the case. The case itself is excellent though, because I can also control the humidity level in their and it has a good seal on it; Los Angeles can have some pretty drastic humidity changes so the case is a lifesaver!
Love to know how to play Cello, but can you give me an idea is it easier or harder than Guitar? I am 54 now.
Thank you so much,
Range of notes was larger and the cello's depth of tone is just way more beautiful. If I had to pick a smaller instrument it would be the Viola. Also, every conductor I ever had in school starting in the 3rd grade has been a cellist.
Folk cello--the only way to fly. I was a beginning-again cellist last summer after 48 years since sitting 2nd chair in junior high advanced symphony. I was shocked at how much came back! I love classical and chamber, but folk cello is just so much FUN. Now I'm trying to join a steampunk opera company. :)
Steampunk opera sounds like a blast! Thanks for your comment!
I've always wanted to learn Cello... The somber sound in produces really vibes with me... Sadly I haven't the free time or the money to jump on that nowadays! 😮💨
I need to know what the background piano is!
At 31 I started to learn violin almost a year ago.. All of the things said were true... But I think I'm gonna give it a push a bit more before trying the Cello or even Viola, and encourage my 5 y.o and 3 y.o kids to start learn an instrument after this pandemic...
Thanks so much for your message. You should definitely keep going with violin if that's the instrument you love most, anything is doable! And it sounds like you'll have a budding string trio in the home after the pandemic, nice!
I’m 37… am I too late to start cello? I have a musical background on guitar and trumpet. But on piano, I really struggle with muscle memory, which concerns me for any new instruments..
Dude, you explain things so clearly and effortlessly. Have you ever taught any subjects?
Thanks so much! I've only taught cello in a formal sense, but thanks again for your comment, I appreciate it!
When I first started playing in my high school orchestra, I started out on violin because it was the only instrument I knew of and did pretty well on it, but the higher notes of the violin didn't entirely vibe with me. One day after orchestra ended I tried out a cello, and it was like a switch flipped in my head and I wanted to switch IMMEDIATELY. I traded in my violin for a cello and ever since I've enjoyed myself so much more and performed even better on my cello (and played so hard I even broke some of my bows in the past 😅)
just visited your website and see you dont offer the 30 day course until Fall 2022. I thought it was an online course that could be accessed at anytime. (Pity, I enjoy your videos, you are inspiring but I need to find different kind of lessons online) )
I always wanted to play the violin since I was a kid but now I’m 29 and I’m debating if I should stick with the violin or learn cello instead
What Cello books did you use that helped you in your journey to learn the instrument?
Hi! In terms of starting out, I really loved the Piatti cello method books and Position Pieces by Rick Mooney. The Piatti books are excellent and are written as duets so that you can play them with your teacher or another cellist.
This is the decision I’m just making and I’m leaning cello because I am disabled. Holding up a violin seems a lot more taxing on my body and I’m already accustomed to playing pedal harp. Cello seems a much smaller leap for me!
It sounds like the cello is the perfect decision for you! It will be so immensely helpful that you are already a trained musician as well! :)
I have played violin for more than a year now and is considering to switch to cello. This vid has successfully wooed me even more😭
Nice posting and I think you make a convincing case! I really love the sound of the cello and would love to play it. I noodled around a few times with one but could never get my head around the weird ergonomics. If you play violin, cello feels utterly unnatural & impossibly complicated as regards fingerings. Also: if you play violin it takes about 10 minutes to learn to play viola (badly).
That's especially true about the move from violin to viola; I've always been jealous that for violinists, a 2nd instrument with such a huge difference in timbre is so easily within reach. Thanks for your comment!
I was learning piano, but I find it harder for reading the notes , I have to memorize at the end, violin, on the other hand, has been easier to learn and read notes, I can play as I go reading but its a bit harder to make it sound good😅 , now I'm thinking about cello too, because why not?
I'm a mostly-wind player who has been thinking about trying a bowed string instrument, and I keep coming up violin, for a slightly different set of considerations.
1) cello is so big and heavy, I'm tiny, and I don't have a car. I have trouble even lifting a full size cello without the case. I'd have a terrible time transporting one anywhere. I already have this issue with lever harp and it is a PAIN.
2) I would definitely need a small size cello permanently due to short arms and small hands, maybe a 3/4 or 7/8 size.
3) I'm a little worried about the greater finger pressure and the weight of the bow with relatedness to hand-arm issues.
4) I really love playing high intricate stuff and melody. My favorite wind instruments are typically small, light and play up in the stratosphere.
Meanwhile, the violin is a lot easier to transport without a vehicle, and the 7/8 size is perfect for me. It's rare for me to find an instrument that isn't too big to be comfortable, though I am worried about the hand and arm position and the potential for further injury to my hands and arms. And finally, violin gets to play the fun flashy stuff. Which would take a lot of work and time to get to, but at least there's a big payoff. Plus, fiddle music is fun.
For now, I have too much other stuff to do to take up orchestral strings, but I think I'd really like to take a crack at the violin once I can find the time.
I love to listen to classical music and I love the cello and violin and I'm close to 30 tried to learn to play a couple of years ago but I'm not sure why I pulled out is it normal to feel that Ur not good enough or too old to play or something I don't know really
I think it is totally normal to have doubts when you are trying to learn something like the cello or the violin as an adult! But I would say that the best thing is to focus on enjoying the process itself and not worrying about how good you currently are or whether you're a "natural" or not. I believe that with good instruction and consistent effort, anyone can learn to play a stringed instrument.
It does take a lot of work but it's totally worth it! Hope that helps!
Billy, You present some great reasons for older adults like me (age 70) who are learning the cello for the first time. Just this morning my wife and I were talking about the ergonomics of letting the weight of the cello be supported by the floor with both hands in natural positions instead of the the instrument (the violin) being supported by a wrenched neck and using wrist-twisting positions that are not nearly as natural. It was great to see your video and to hear your reasons that confirmed our discussion.
Hi Paul, thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!
I chose Chello as an adult because of my left arm. I broke it as a kid and it healed with a slight twist which makes the Violin impossible. Can't play guitar either.
cello, please.
Sorry… me too ¨, I have impingement syndrom om ny shoulder. I Will buy cello
i'm learning both ...cello is indeed a bit easier but both are fun
hahaha "hmmm" now that you put it this way . . . i see your point. convincing indeed😂
I played violin when I was a kid, stopped playing after the second Suzuki book. I bought decent student violin a few years ago and just recently started playing and practicing again. I will say that even if your body knows how to twist around the violin and it's quite comfortable, half an hour into playing and I feel like I'm 90 years old haha.
Hi Margret, that's exactly how I've felt anytime I tried playing on the violin for more than a few minutes haha. It is such a wonderful instrument, though!
i choose my instruments out of love, not out of ease or convenience, you will never be good at anything if you choose it because it was "easier"
I'm working on violin and cello at the same time. I feel like I'm enjoying violin better because the cello bow hold is much more challenging
I totally understand! Establishing a comfortable bow hold and learning how to sink in weight is one of the hardest aspects of learning how to play the cello. Thanks for your comment!
I just listened to Detroit: Become Human's soundtrack and Philip Sheppard has singlehandedly made me want to pick up a cello over a violin
My absolute favorite from him is Dark Night
The main reason I’m saying starting playing cello is because how octaves sound on it
Hey I’m switching to cello after playing violin for 3 years 😭 tips? I love cello so much more but my orchestra probably won’t have much melodies for cello haha
Hi! Honestly I think you're prior experience on violin is going to be a big help to you as you start your cello journey. Off the top of my head I would just say to pay a little extra attention to your right and left hands, in particular the angle of your left hand as it approaches the fingerboard and in the right hand the angle of the bow as it approaches the string. Compared to most violinists, most cellist use a more squared up approach in the left hand and tend to tilt the stick of the bow towards themselves when playing, not away from themselves as in violin. Congrats again on starting cello, I'm sure you'll love it!
@@adultcello thank you so much! I’ll for sure keep these in mind!
Hello! Great video! I am left handed, can I learn to play left handed?
Hi! Everyone I know who is left handed still holds the bow with the right hand, so I think that would probably be the best idea. And having your dominant hand being the left hand might not be a distinct disadvantage. Hope that helps!
Also, cello is just really the most sensual string instrument to play.
On point 3: instead of complaining about Canon in D, enjoy listening to the violins do all the work
Oh, but you muuuusssst give the Leonard Rose/Isaac Stern version a listen!
That's a great version as well!!
I like the viola as much as the violin and cello. They are all beautiful instruments. Although I think the violin should be tuned to F C G D.
I'm not an adult tbh but I really like how both the violin and cielo sound so I wanna know which one I should try to learn
Hi! You know, maybe the best way to pick would be to listen to a lot of different violin pieces and a lot of cello pieces and then try to imagine which ones you would feel more excited to play. They are both fantastic instruments!
@@adultcello yea, I already listened to a lot and thought about it and I like both the violin and the cielo but I'm gonna start with the violin first actually because a cielo is really expensive xd but later I'll try to learn the cielo too
@@bunnylove2945 That sounds like a great plan! Starting either should be a wonderful experience, good luck!
@@adultcello yea thanks :D
Both
Can i learn it alone, i have a slight background in violin 🎻 and vibratto is my nightmare 😸
Hi! In my opinion, cello is one of those instruments where instruction, either in the form of in-person lessons or an online course, is pretty essential to get off to a great start. That being said, you could always try learning on your own (since you already have some experience playing violin) and then think about instruction if you start to feel stuck or a bit overwhelmed. Hope that helps!
Cello biased, however you are definitely right
The wide left hand finger spread for cello is not ergonomic, compared to piano or guitar, which I think is why great cellists begin as children, when hands (and minds) are more flexible and open. With violin, though, adult fingers get in each other’s way! 😂
Why choose ? 🙂
This is his opinion but I'd still choose the violin. But cello is not bad
I just gave up on the violin and switching to cello, 39 years old! Playing the violin for 5 minutes and my hand and arm is in cramps. The violin takes too much flexibility for my old stiff body.
Some people should choose viola. It’s hard to find a viola player to form a string quartet
I, a violinist, approve of this message. Id love to learn the cello
Thanks so much, and thanks for your comment!
Cello of course
I wish someone had told me that 3 years ago when I was about to take up the violin. I like practicing and the repertoire my teacher gives me, but sometimes I feel I'll never be able to play on a decent level which is utterly frustrating
I understand what you mean, but maybe what's more important is that you are enjoying your practice and the repertoire. I think if you keep moving forward and enjoying yourself along the way, there will probably come a day when you realize that you achieved your initial playing goals. Challenging yourself in manageable ways, along with consistency, is usually a recipe for success in the long term. Thanks for your comment!
Бозе-бозе, моя бедолажечка:*
Violin is like, a small child crying. As he grows up and have more depressive episodes, he no longer cries; but dark thoughts take over his head, hence the somber sound of the cello. This goes to show that the bigger (or older) you get, the darker your "sound" become. Can be a metaphor in life.
Lol pun intended. I love both instruments. Haha
I've started taking violin lessons about two years ago and I'm in love with this instrument. It's unnatural and unconfortable at first but you'll improve very quickly and you can then do wonderful music out of it. Violin is actually "surprisingly" much easier than people assume ! You can get a decent sound and enjoy it much earlier than you'd have thought. I like cello too however it's a way too powerful instrument to play for my taste, compare to lovely deep, silky, sweet and resonnant violin.
There is no question that the violin has a sweet, silvery resonance all to itself! I'm so glad to hear that you are loving the violin, and goodness knows you have a lifetime's worth of great repertoire to learn and perform if you want to! :)
@@adultcello That's for sure ! Violin repertoire is a dream :-) I just wanted to point out that, even if the posture is definately more unnatural on a violin it's actually something you'll get use to much quicker than you'd assumed if you work consistencely with a good teacher and a decent instrument. Also violin strings are thinner than cello strings, you don't have to stretch your fingers that much and the arms and hands do smaller movements, so...not so bad after all... If you like to give it a try one day, with your cello background you'll be able to play nicely very quickly 👍
*Exactly why I’m contemplating to switch from my 3 year cello to violin is 👉👉 you don't have to stretch your fingers that much and the arms and hands do smaller movements,*
@@newsigmundfreud3023 You should give it a try then, you'll know quickly if you like it better or no... (and you can of course keep practicing both without having to choose one over the other if you're conflicted). I've read somewhere " cello is more natural to play and come quicker but violin is less physically demanding ". I guess depending of how you're build and how is your resistance to frustration one obstacle will annoy you more than the other. But at the end it's just about what you fall in love for, not necessarily the difficulty level you'll face, even if it's challenging you'll do it if you really like it, you'll work harder.
I know there are tons of techniques you can just transpose to the violin with a cello backround. I've seen a video of a 3-months-violin-adult-beginner cellist. He did so great in 3 months i thought he was a fake ! He had good tone and intonation (when it supposed to take years !), he had a vibrato, not perfect but quite good, a correct bowhold (knowing cello and violin bowholds are different), what really betraied him as a beginner were the stiff bow changes and the lack of confidence in the bowing movements. So, I do think it worth a try because you could learn much quicker than a non-string player.
@@newsigmundfreud3023 I've been thinking about this so much lately.... but I'm scared and I feel a bit weird ..change at this point... How do you feel about it now?
Stop right there at 1:48; a cello player will spend most of their time on the d and a strings. There is nothing ergonomic about the angle one must pull to play the a.