Beginner Cellists

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Beginner Cellists

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cellosc	Sep 4 2008, 03:23 PM Post #1
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 20 Joined: 2-September 08 Member No.: 38724	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?

primrose	Sep 4 2008, 07:07 PM Post #2
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 606 Joined: 31-August 07 From: London Member No.: 15347	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/

cellosc	Sep 4 2008, 08:00 PM Post #3
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 20 Joined: 2-September 08 Member No.: 38724	Thanks for that - I've just taken a look and it looks interesting. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

musicfreak	Sep 4 2008, 08:53 PM Post #4
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 321 Joined: 10-January 08 Member No.: 22920	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 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)) 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 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif).

fsharpminor	Sep 5 2008, 07:11 AM Post #5
Maestro Group: Members Posts: 12242 Joined: 7-June 06 From: Wirral (originally Keighley, Yorks) Member No.: 7089	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 ?

Hannah74	Sep 5 2008, 10:46 AM Post #6
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 158 Joined: 14-December 06 From: Cambridgeshire, UK Member No.: 8675	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!

elisabeth_rb	Sep 5 2008, 04:16 PM Post #7
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1383 Joined: 27-March 05 From: Sheffield, UK Member No.: 3400	QUOTE(Hannah74 @ Sep 5 2008, 11:46 AM) I started the cello last September, and just passed grade 2 with 127. 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??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Hannah74	Sep 5 2008, 06:12 PM Post #8
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 158 Joined: 14-December 06 From: Cambridgeshire, UK Member No.: 8675	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!

cellosc	Sep 5 2008, 07:00 PM Post #9
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 20 Joined: 2-September 08 Member No.: 38724	QUOTE(Hannah74 @ Sep 5 2008, 07:12 PM) 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!

Suepea	Sep 5 2008, 08:36 PM Post #10
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1814 Joined: 19-December 03 From: Ashford Middlesex Member No.: 299	QUOTE(cellosc @ Sep 5 2008, 08:00 PM) QUOTE(Hannah74 @ Sep 5 2008, 07:12 PM) 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.

elisabeth_rb	Sep 6 2008, 10:47 AM Post #11
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1383 Joined: 27-March 05 From: Sheffield, UK Member No.: 3400	QUOTE(cellosc @ Sep 5 2008, 08:00 PM) QUOTE(Hannah74 @ Sep 5 2008, 07:12 PM) 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! 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! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) 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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

celloholic	Sep 7 2008, 08:30 AM Post #12
Member Group: Members Posts: 55 Joined: 11-February 08 Member No.: 24800	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!

Cimarron	Sep 13 2008, 01:25 PM Post #13
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 11-May 08 From: Washington, D.C. U.S.A. Member No.: 30723	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? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) 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.

elisabeth_rb	Sep 14 2008, 08:54 AM Post #14
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1383 Joined: 27-March 05 From: Sheffield, UK Member No.: 3400	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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Muddy Paws	Sep 15 2008, 12:42 PM Post #15
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 216 Joined: 23-February 07 Member No.: 9692	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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

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