How long and heavy is the Cello, I've heard some people say its light and not that big but I have heard others saying the exact opposite. I play Tuba and sousaphone for band and this time around I don't want to have an extremely heavy instrument or at least one I can't tell around well.



I know that cello plays a lot of bass parts but I also realize that the cello can get quite high, as seen in some of the solos. I was wondering how often does the cello get a solo in songs. Its nice being the foundation but its not fun knowing that almost no one will hear you or your setion.



Also, in the US, how much do you think it would clost to rent a decent cello, and to find a good private teacher. Thank you in advanced.

You can get different sizes of cello, depending on how tall you are.

My ten-year-old daughter plays the cello and the trombone. She currently has a half-size cello (although this doesn't mean that it is only half the size of a full-size one). The cello is much, much lighter than the trombone but it is more bulky and, because it is in a soft case, more fragile. When I take her to music lessons, the trombone is too heavy for her to carry any distance and the cello is (I feel) too fragile for her to manage, particularly when going up and down stairs.

the cello is never as heavy as people expect. i mean, it's completely hollow wood. the heavy bit is the case (if you have a hardcase), it's heavier than the instrument and very bulky. soft cases are light and more convenient, but it's worth the extra weight if you have your own cello for better protection.

The actual cello itself is the light bit; it barely weighs anything. however, if you have a hard case, it more than doubles the weight. (but i think it's worth it as it's still not tooooo heavy.) As for height, with the spike in my 4/4 size instrument is probably about 5foot. give or take. However, if one has to carry it too far in one go, it does start to make the arm ache; i have pulled muscles before(though that is probably my own stubborn fault for only using one arm! )
I don't really know about renting a cello.
As for teachers, i have no idea in the US as i don't live there. In GB there are private teachers ranging from £7 per half hour to £27 per half hour! (sorry; don't know the conversions.) the main thing is a teacher who you get on with and has a decent knowledge of the instrument and how to teach you.
Yes, the instrument does play a large amount of bass parts, but even these in themselves can prove challenging and interesting! and just because it's the bass, it does not mean that this will not be heard. it adds depth; although you are right in that it sometimes can get a little tedious (although this will be lesser so the better group/orchestra you play in). We do sometimes get the tune! i must admit that it is not all that often that there are proper solos as such, but there are not really in any instrument. I'll stop here before i start blabbering and going off course and saying the wrong stuff.
Hope this ramble has helped!
Piello

First let me say hello all since this is my first post on this forum!

I started playing the cello just two months ago. Prior to that I had never played a string instrument and only did 'some' piano but on my own, with no teacher so...I think it'd be a long looong time till I can say "hmm yes, I play the cello" Nevertheless I'm happy as my teacher says I'm improving at a very good pace (that's why I chose her!)

Let's say that due to poor economic resources I had to buy a cheap cello...a bertarnd one that nevertheless its name is from China I think, it doesn't sounds bad (to my taste) the only problem it had is that the strings where too high from the fingerboard and had to carry to a luthier to lower down the bridge and change the strings for some better ones.

As for why I chose the cello, it's simple: I love its sound!! I love too to hear to violins, violas or double bass instruments but to me the cello seems sometimes to 'speak' and it doesn't weight too much, being hollow as some have said its very light (I carry it on a soft case).

It's true it usually plays the bass parts but having a wide pitch range, if you listen with care you'll see that now and then it leaves the bass section and 'jumps' to higher levels (just listen to the quartet, quintet or sextet Boccherini pieces) and that's what I like from it, that can carry the melodies from the lower registers to higher ones, or vice-versa.

I think there are some cello solos playing on its high register; here are two or three I know of:

-dance of the elves, from David Popper -(if you can play it!)

-the swan, from the carnival of animals (Saint-Saëns), or his Allegro appassionato for cello (Op 43)

-or 'In the mood for love' soundtrack theme: Yumeji's Theme

The swan- I love love love love that piece of music!

Right- am seriously thinking about learning the cello now... although I don't really have the time or the money, I really do want to get around to it sometime.

Argh!

'Tis a curse, I tell thee!

I agree, 'tis indeed! I'd love to learn cello and sometimes I think I'm a cello, and others a viola. Still, viola I can afford both the space and money for, but cello I can't at the mo. Later on I shall have a go, I hope!

Why the Q's about cello Chronos? Thought you were interested in viola? Changing your mind??? You won't get much info about rental and teachers in the US here though, I'm afraid. Most of us are Brits and we only have a handful of American friends here.

Why the Q's about cello Chronos? Thought you were interested in viola? Changing your mind??? You won't get much info about rental and teachers in the US here though, I'm afraid. Most of us are Brits and we only have a handful of American friends here.
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The best place to find out about cello teachers and rental in the US is on the Internet Cello site at www.cello.org.