I'm an adult beginner cellist - my first and only instrument! I started learning earlier this year when my daughter started learning and we are both really enjoying it. Having hired an instrument for a few months I've taken the plunge and bought one - waiting for it to be ready, very exciting!

I'm finding learning to read the music relatively easy and getting to grips with holding the bow quite hard - difficult to relax my hand. So much to learn but I am loving it! I have had a few lessons and hope to have more. Just hope I really can make progress...

Just wondered if there are other adult beginners out there and how you're all getting on?

Hello cellosc, I'm not a cello player (though I often wish I were) but I find this blog really interesting: http://www.fuguestate.co.uk/

Thanks for that - I've just taken a look and it looks interesting.

Welcome to the forums!
I love the cello, I've been learning for two years and I have just passed my Grade 5 (with merit...just ) I'm currently trying to persuade my parents to let me have my own cello...but to no avail..yet. Bowing is what I have probably found hardest, apparently I don't bow straight, but my problem is I relax too much .

This thread is whetting my appetite to maybe start again. In my last two years at school (1963-4 !) I started cello, having just got an ALCM Diploma on piano, and I was also practising for Grade 8 on Organ. I found it quite frustrating to start a new instrument from scratch !. Anyway I persisted until I left school at end of 1964, and though I didnt take any exams I was working in pieces Grade 3-4 (Is Breval Sonata in C about that level ?). It was a school instrument, so when I left, that was it. I havent had a 'cello between my knees since. I have hankerings to start again as I near retirement, hoping that this time I wont get those frustrations of starting something at a lower level again. How do you overcome this ?

I started the cello last September, and just passed grade 2 with 127.

Like you, I'm really enjoying it, but find it physically hard work. Mind you, I thought I'd rediscover my violin as well, having not played since i was 13, some thirty-odd years ago, and the physical aches from the cello are nothing compared with that!

Oh, tooooo depressing! I started viola last February, (yes, Feb 2007), and still am nowhere near ready for Grade 1. I need to pull my socks up, don't I???

Sorry, didn't mean it to come out like that! I play piano first, but I learn violin as a child, so i think I picked it up quickly. There was a lot of practice involved!

No idea what I can expect in terms of speed of progression but as a non-musician (up til now!) I guess it will be slow. I'm trying to be disciplined and learn some basic stuff well before rushing on - so tempting to try something harder!

Welcome cellosc. That's a very wise decision - quality of learning is more important than speed. Some people on these forums seem to progress very quickly indeed. I was in your poition four years ago (first instrument piano, plus recorders, so a head start there), and have since passed grade 4 with merit last March and will be taking grade 5 next March, which my teacher says is very good progress. As you will have to learn all the theory and musicianship skills it will probably take you a bit longer, but enjoy the journey and don't worry when you get stuck on the plateau and seem not to progress. Everybody experiences that, so just keep going.

Oh, don't fret Hannah! If I don't progress well, that's my fault and I'd never dream of saying that someone else was showing off. I think you're doing great and do keep it up!

Yes, that's my idea with viola learning really too - slowly but surely. I'm moving at less than the speed of snail, but I am moving forward and the idea was to do it for pleasure anyway. Whilst it would be lovely to play Glazunov's Elegy beautifully already, I have to just enjoy what I can do.

This might be a good time to mention to those of you who don't know it that there are adult orchestras around who exist to give string returners or late starters a friendly and unpressurised orchestral experience. If you live anywhere near Yorkshire (or even not, as some come from as far away as Hull, Nottingham and Bury!) try the Yorkshire Late Starter Strings or, in London, the East London Late Starters Orchestra . These are great places to meet others in a similar position and realise that you're not alone in your own little musical world!

Hey,

I am also an adult beginner cellist. I started one year ago. I have always loved the sound of the cello. I wasn't sure if I could handle studying two instruments at the same time. But a year ago, I decided to just give it a shot.

I haven't taken any ABRSM exams but judging from the syllabus, I think I am between a grade 1 and 2. Maybe closer to 2?

Having previous experience with piano has been helpful as far as note reading, music theory (recognizing patterns like arpeggios) and having some idea on how to approach practicing.

I am still in first position for the most part, although I am learning the G major scale in two octaves. My teacher has me on the Charles Krane book 1 (New School of Cello Studies). My teacher is focusing on teaching me bow control, particularly playing a nice legato (I was and still can be too choppy), and bow distribution. I still make those awful sounds when crossing strings and let's not talk about playing on the A string. Grrr.... He is also working with me on relaxation.

He points out intonation issues when I am really off. I really like it that he plays with me at least once or twice during each lesson. It helps me to see where my intonation is off. At home though, I got into the bad habit of using my digital tuner to check my intonation and can't seem to wean myself off of it.

Lately, I have realized that each practice session, I need to play some easier music as a warm-up so I can feel confident that I am making progress and can make decent music on the cello. Otherwise, it feels like really hard work.

Another issue is finding time to practice. Now, I only practice cello for 30-45 minutes each morning before going to work. I would like to increase that to one hour.

Oh, you're all making me wish I could afford a cello..... I'm happy with my viola, of course, but I still love cello too. Well, if we move to Taiwan in 2 years' time, then I daresay I can get one there and take lessons too.

Hello everyone, I had my first cello lesson two weeks ago. I'm not even using my left hand yet. It's something I've wanted to do for years. When my husband bought me a cello last Christmas I was so chuffed, but had to wait til after my piano exam to start lessons.

I'm an adult learner, in fact that's my blog Primrose so kindly linked above. The East London Late Starters Orchestra is a great place to play if you're looking to get some experience playing in groups. It's really supportive and takes people from the very beginning. There are different level groups too so you don't have to feel like you're completely out of your depth at the back of the section.

Visit: www.ellso.org.uk

--Erin

--
http://www.fuguestate.co.uk

to the Forums, erinehm. I have been interested in your blog, too. Are you planning to go to the Chamber Strings course from 27-31st October?

How lovely (great husband!!). I've been without a cello since early August now and am really missing it, but I have bought my own and hope to have it next week - can't wait! Hope you get on well. What music are you starting with?

Yes he is a great husband!

It must be hard without a cello. I hope when your new one arrives it will be worth the wait.

I've learnt how to use my left hand today. It was quite a lot more curved than I'd been doing. (Yes, I'd had a go even though I wasn't sposed to )

We did Twinlkle twinkle and looked in the mirror to make sure I was bowing straight.

Can't wait to try a bit of Elgar's Concerto but it may be a while!!!

I can relate to that - trouble with being an adult beginner is that we have Elgar in our heads but Twinkle Twinkle is the reality, for now! My cello's coming in 4 day's time.

I went to the one in May and played half cello and half flute, and I enjoyed it. I can't afford the time off work at the end of October unfortunately. But I am joining the weekly orchestra on Thursday nights, half and half again until I can find another flautist to replace me. I'm trying to back out of my woodwind responsibilities!

It'll be a while before I can be in an orchestra!

Cellosc, have you got a new new cello? Mine came from ebay, so it was a bit of a gamble. It's quite old but I don't think it's too bad although my teacher spend quite a while adjusting it at the beginning of both lessons so far.

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I'm pretty ignorant about my cello, but I went with my teacher to a shop with whom she's been dealing over many years and we were able to try about eight. It was invaluble having her opinion on what they were like and on various features of them. They varied so much! The one I've chosen was definitely 'calling' to me from the end of the row! I'm afraid it was the most expensive, but the right choice! It's German and not brand new but the man in the shop couldn't tell me how old - something in the region of the last 20 years I think. My teacher says its definitely been played. I've got a new bow and a fairly inexpensive one but was advised to put the money into the cello and look to upgrading the bow laer, which sounded sensible. I spent some months looking at cellos on ebay but felt too ignorant to begin to know what would be a good bet. What does your teacher think of yours? Do you like it? Age seems to be a bonus as long as its sound.

We're now wondering how to rearrange the sitting roomj to accomodate it safely! I've bought a stand as people seem to find it much more convenient to pick it off a stand than have to get it out of a case every time. Also it's very beautiful!

How exciting about getting a new cello.

About the age thing, I don't really know much about it but i think in a similar way to wine instruments mature with age, though thats not tho say that the newer ones aren't good, it depends on the sound you like

My violin is from 1870, It was between that or a 1940 one, but I preferred the older one beacuse the tone was much mellower.

Happy Playing!
x

Mine is also German and about 30yrs old. My teacher was a bit sceptical when I said I'd got it from ebay but after he'd had a go, he said it sounded better than some he'd played worth £1000s, so I think that means it's ok.

I only have a soft case which undoes at the bottom and is really difficult to get it in and out of. I hope to get a hard case soon, maybe for Christmas.

Is your daughter still learning as well? It's going to be hard to see your lovely cello diappear off to school !?

Sounds like you've done really well to get such a nice cello! I'd also like a hard case at some point (so expensive ); I feel a bit nervous at the prospect of taking it anywhere with a soft one, though it will only get occasional trips in the car. My daughter's a small eight year old playing a 1/4 size (hired) so I haven't got to lend it to her yet! She's got her eye on it though!

Does your teacher come to you then? (Sorry if I'm being nosey)

Is your daughter getting a year's free tuition? (Sorry again if I'm being nosey, I'm just interseted) I bet she looks so cute!

Free tuition? I wish! No, she has lessons at school (which we pay for). I'm having lessons with the same teacher who comes to me at home. How did you find your teacher?

Yes, hard cases are expensive, but have a look at the Tom and Will cases. Someone at the Oxford Cello School had one of the Premium cello cases and was very pleased indeed with it. I had a look at it and would say it is an extremely well made case offering plenty of protection at a very reasonable price.

Thanks Supea, those cases do look quite good. I spose not even hard cases are waterproof? (my car failed mot and I may have to go on the bus) You've done well to get to grade 4 in 4 years. What have you found the hardest?

I have "known of" my teacher for quite a long time. At our local music festival ( I was a humble accompaniest/ receptionist and he the important and well respected teacher/father of many very musical children) . Then I went to a concert where he played Elgar's Cello Concerto.....AMAZIN!!! I never dreamed he be MY teacher, I'm SO chuffed! I made many enquiries about teachers, but he was the only one with spaces. ( he's not cheap) He would have been my first choice of course, but one always has to try to save money

The reason I asked if your daughter's tuition was free is just that in our area kids in year 3 get the opportunity to learn an instrument free for a year. i have 2 pupils waiting to find out which instrument they will be doing....exciting! Apparently the Bassoon was plugged because it has a Great back pack...

Hard cases should certainly be waterproof! The Tom and Will ones should be too -they are made of a waterproof canvas similar to but thicker than that used for waterproof clothing, with lots of padding under it.

The hardest parts of learning the cello for me have been

1) Intonation - as a pianist I didn't have to listen that carefully! It's a common problem, and the fact that you can have help with tuning in exams up to grade 5 shows how difficult it can be.

2) Articulation - getting the finger down before the bow!

3) Scales and arpeggios These have improved a lot over the last few months, but I really wasn't ready for performance of the grade 4 scales as I couldn't reliably remember the different fingering patterns. When you can't remember the patterns the intonation and articulation go to pot because you are worrying about the patterns. I did pass the scale section - just!

4) Vibrato No matter how many times I think I've got it right, my teacher still says the way I do it is incorrect. I'm getting a real block about it now.


It sounds as if you have been lucky with your teacher. Maybe he's not cheap, but quality of teaching is really important for string players.

Hello, this is my first post

I used to play the cello 20 years ago at school when I was about 14 and only played a few months before allowing myself to be bullied out by the other girls in the class. Of course as soon as I left then they did, and the teacher was unwilling to come into the school again to teach only one pupil. So my cello journey ended there!

It's been on my mind to re-start for the last 20 odd years and now I'm rapidly approaching 35 I thought now was a good time to take the plunge! I had my first lesson two weeks ago and was just awful! It looks like I've retained almost nothing from 20 years ago, so I am going as a complete beginner again.

My cello teacher is also a professional luthier so he was able to recommend a new Prima 200 cello for a really good price and set it up for me free of charge as I was his student. It is now sitting in my front room and has been in my possesion for less than 24 hours as I picked it up yesterday, so it's very exciting!

I had a crack at it last night and found that I had trouble reading the very basic music and bowing the open strings in the right place - the bow kept slipping down to the bridge without my looking at it and making a dreadful noise. Is this a common starter problem? It's been so long I can barely remember anything at all!

Thanks for reading

Welcome Boureki and great news that you're taking up the cello again! You'll know if you've read my posts in this thread that I'm a raw beginner (in my 40's) and I'm learning everything from scratch including reading music. That bit is coming more easily to me than the basics such as making any kind of decent sound with the bow and not gripping it too tightly! I'm finding relaxing my bowing arm difficult. I had 4 lessons and 3 months of playing in the summer term on a hired cello, then a break. I got my own cello a couple of weeks ago and LOVE IT so I can understand your excitement at having your own - lovely! I had my first lesson since getting my cello last week and really had regressed (if that's possible for such a beginner!), but encouragingly my teacher said that it was inevitable and that every cello is different - important to give myself time to get used to my new one.

I'll be interested to hear what any seasoned cellists out there have to say to us beginners!

Hi cellosc

Thanks for the warm welcome. Yes, I have read the thread all the way through and am glad I am not alone! Also it's lovely to make contact with an adult beginner too and share all the common problems. I can't seem to practice for more than about 45 minutes at a time, not just down to being stupidly busy, but because my bowing arm is not coping with the new ordeal it's getting!

I have my second lesson tonight, so I'm wondering when I start progressing to more than the open strings but at this incredibly early stage I think I need to improve simple bowing before I dare take on anything else! I think that even if I'm absolutely dire and don't continue for whatever reason, I will keep the cello forever and gaze upon it's gorgeousness as I've been hankering after one of my very own for years, so it won't be going anywhere if I fail!

I'm also glad to be in touch with someone else doing the same thing. Hope your lesson goes well. I think you're doing really well to manage 45 minutes; I'm only doing about 20. My back gets stiff and I think that's from bowing and not relaxing. I'm thinking like you that it's important to get a good grip on the basics and not try to progress quickly at the expense of doing that. I am doing more than open strings but I'm keeping to simple pieces - very aware that I can't play these well yet! I'm looking at about a lesson a fortnight and unfortunately they're only 20 minutes long- lovely teacher though, just a tricky schedule.

I know what that is to love your cello - mine has pride of place in the sitting room and I'm getting huge pleasure just from looking at it!

What music have you been given? A particular 'scheme'? I'm working from the children's books Cello Time Joggers (with harder ones to follow) and String Time Joggers; I also have an adult book but am finding it less satisfying at the moment.

Welcome Boureki. When I first started playing cello I was dared on pain of death to practice for more than 10 minutes at a time! Your body needs time to get used to playing again, and you will probably improve more quickly if you actually cut down the amount of time you practice for the moment. If you can't bear to do that, how about having several short sessions during the day - and use a timer to make sure that you really do have short sessions!. Your mind also needs time to absorb the information it is getting. The cello is not an easy instrument to learn - I find that some aspects of it are more difficult than playing the piano, though the fact that it is a single line instrument (most of the time!) is in its favour.

45 minutes practice sounds quite long to me too when you are just starting out. Be ware, plenty of cellists do themselves an injury like tennis elbow. As you will be learning to hold the bow there are quite a few useful exercises you can do just to improve that, like 'spidercrawl' and 'windscreen-wipers', which you can do away from the cello. Ask your teacher to show you.

Thanks for the further welcomes and the advice. I don't feel so bad only doing short practice sessions now! I have already started to do short bursts rather than longer sessions, and I am finding this is helping already. I will definately be asking my teacher tonight about these techniques you mention Immy as I am finding bowing hard at the moment. I progressed from open strings to E, A and oddly, F# the last one I am struggling with as I find bowing the A string or notes from the A string immediately after attempting the F# very hard, it makes this dreadful screeching sound!

I honestly don't remember it being this hard when I was 14! I remember just picking it up and almost straight away being able to get a recognisable tune!

Cellosc, the book I am currently using is called Stringbuilder, does that mean anything to you? Appelbaum I think the author is?

In case you teacher does not know, there are various youtube clips with bow exercises. This for instance:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8CObNd3lJ3Q&...feature=related
is the spider crawl.

I would not worry about making screeching sounds on the A string, as you'll be doing that for some time to come unless you are a genius! Crossing from one string to the next with the bow will always be one of the challenges and at first it does not sound smooth at all. If, and I am only guessing here, you have a fairly basic cello and basic strings the screeching will be twice as bad anyway, so it isn't all your fault!

When I first started I only bowed on open strings for quite a while and did little tunes with pizzicato (plucked) stopped notes. I think I did that for quite a few lessons before I was allowed to try and play stopped notes with the bow. So you are ahead already!

Have a good lesson tonight.

Immy

Oh good - it's not just me making screeching noises from string to string then! I have good strings so can't blame them though... I was supposed to have a cello lesson this morning but am missing it as I'm not well . The next one could be several weeks away so I guess I just keep practicing the basics and trying to get my bowing smoother. I'll certainly take a look at the exercises you mentioned Immy, and will look up Stringbuilder Boureki - I haven't come across it. Glad you're finding shorter practice sessions are suiting you better.

Hi everyone, I didn't know you were all having this conversation as the email notification seems to have stopped working for me
I too was told to practise little and often, however tend to do about 45 mins. Maybe that's why I'm aching.

Can I ask, seeing as it seems to be mostly ladies here (I'll try to say this as tactfully as poss.) if when you practise in your jammies, does it cause any difficulties because bits of you are in a differnt place than when fully dressed? Am I doing something wrong? My teacher's a man so I can't ask him but I find it quite awkward.

Immy, that link was helpful and led on to some other useful links too, so thanks for that, it all helps.

Cellosc, no, it's definately not only you screeching between strings and I'm glad it's just not a case of being completely unworthy of my beautiful instrument when I screech the strings! I have a Prima 200 with factory strings at this point, although I may replace the strings in the near future.

Muddy Paws, I haven't tried practising in jammies lol, I usually practice in my nice soft jeans if I can, but haven't felt any sort of difference

I haven't tried playing in jammies but imagine it would be rather uncomfortable!

I'll be away for the next week so no practice at all. There's a rather alarming thread on one of the other forums (adults learners I think) about how many hours practice are required to make real progress - oh dear, it's a bit discouraging. I will have to Do Better after my holiday. Still think short sessions seem to be wise for us beginners but I really ought to try to play most days. I'd like to - it's just easy to let other things get in the way.

PS It was this forum - see 'how long do you spend practising'....