Whether or not I decide to relearn the Viola and or Violin as an adult restarter I have always wanted to try the Cello but am too embarrassed to try one in a shop and do not belong to an orchestra at present so cannot ask someone to let me try theirs.

Basically I want to be left to my own devices for half an hour or so with a Cello preferably alone before I decide whether to buy one. I did try one in a shop for a minute before I got embarrassed being stared at and I know I can draw the bow and make a decent sound and that the scale goes the opposite way to a Violin or Viola in relation to the position of the Cello. I mainly want to see if my neck and back can cope.

Any ideas please? I am in Stevenage.

Angie

I remember you saying on another thread that you sometimes visit Cambridge. There is a music shop to the north side of Cambridge which has some quieter upstairs rooms - people may walk up while you are playing but it is less likely than in other shops. They also have keyboards and digital pianos upstairs which you might be able to try in slightly more privacy than in some shops. They are not very near the station so I don't know the best way to get there - perhaps ring and ask them about trying a cello or digital piano and also how to get there (what bus etc.)

It's called Cambridge Pianoforte and Music Gallery
http://www.cambridgemusic.net

One tip, they are an ABRSM exam centre and the aforementioned upstairs rooms are used for waiting during exam season so don't go then (roughly the second half of each school term).

How's Hitchin?
"Evans-Pughe" strings shop is there. They do look a bit posh, but they do student instruments, and they also rent student instruments. They are likely to be quiet and more helpful than a general music shop in finding something right for you.
Here is their cello page: http://www.strings.co.uk/cellos.asp

There's also Hill & Co in Welwyn (village, not Garden City). I've been in there a couple of times, a very small shop but I don't know what goes on out the back - they don't have a website or I'd point you there.

I would say DON'T go just before the summer holidays finish. I went down to Hill & Co one lunchtime from work to buy a set of strings and the place was packed - mostly with last-minute 'repair the violin before the new school year' visitors!

Thank you earplugs and Maizie.

The shop where I got embarrassed was in Cambridge, Millers. It was very busy and I felt in the way when I was trying out pianos, the main reason I went there. I asked to try a Cello as I said I was too embarrassed. Thank you for the info on the other shop. I am planning to go to Cambridge on the train after school starts and before Uni starts so it's quiet.

Hitchin is OK too and only a few miles up the road and easy by car or bus thanks for that info. I know Hills, it's a tiny shop and I find them a bit intimidating for some reason and it's impossible to park in Welwyn.



Thanks again.

I know of no shops, but I can suggest something that might help: Go first thing in the morning. Most people don't go shopping much bfore 10:30 or 11 and many more again in the afternoon. If you arrive about 9am, you'll almost certainly have any shop you choose to yourself.

"Embarrassed" I felt the same way.
I took up the cello last year after a 20 year break, and had to hire out an instrument. I visited a well known shop in central London and chose a time that I felt would not be too busy. The guy was really nice and gave me advice on the Zeller and Stentor but when he asked me to try them out I got all nervous - I should let you know that I am an adult learner - Anyway, he put me at ease and said I could use one of the private rooms upstairs to try them out. I was hesitant at first but then I thought if I didn't try then (1) I might be wasting my money on an instruemtn that I didnt' like and (2) I would have to cancel my lesson and therefore would never have any cello lessons EVER.
To cut a long story short I hired the zeller, had about 6 months worth of lessons, took my grade 2 exams in June and got a merit (127 points), fell in love with the cello all over again and am now studying for Grade 3 and I've now bought my own cello.
Soooooo my advice just do it. If you don't you'll never discover what a beautiful instrument the cello is and what a delight it is to play.
If you are too nervous then take a friend with you while you try it out.

It might be a good idea to find a shop that will send you out a cello on approval. That way you get to try it at home and test it out properly without being worried about being embarassed in a shop. If you like the instrument you can buy it or if you don't you can send it back. I think that would be the best option for you.

Thank you for the suggestions. It would only be a cheap Stentor outfit anyway as I only have my pension and I would be surprised to be allowed to have something so cheap on approval and I would feel obliged to buy it.

I never go shopping in the morning and I go out as late as I can and do my supermarket shopping after tea. My depression is worst in the mornings too because I was carer to my husband who died in December and mornings were really busy and so empty now and no way could I try any musical instrument out then.

I'm so thrilled you're considering the 'cello !

I wonder if it might be worth you 'phoning a local teacher for a consultation and explaining that you would like to return to music but because of physical problems you are having difficulties playing your usual instrument and would like to see if the cello might suit. There'd be no need to explain further. That should do. That also provides you with your 'out' as it were. There'd be no pressure that way to re-book or continue. It would be understood to be one single trial lesson with a very specific goal in mind. It may still be a bit daunting, but perhaps less so than trying out strange instrument rooms in strange instrument shops.


At least that way, you'll be shown how to sit and hold the cello properly, rather than risk any more pain and injury trying to do it on your own. Besides which, if you don't sit and hold it properly from the get go how will you know if it is or isn't going to suit you long term?

(If you lived closer to me I'd let you sit and play mine all day - once I'd shown you how to hold it that is ! )

Very best wishes

Iona I did think about that but thought it might be cheeky to use a teacher in that way but if you say it is alright I will see if I can find one not too far. I really would love to try it's such a lovely instrument and a good Cellist is a joy to listen to. I guess becauser of the size and the intervals being further apart it is a little easier to learn than the Violin or Viola? I am struggling with trying to take up Viola again. I don't really like the Violin as much, I like mellow notes.

I am also returning to piano by the way. Whether I carry on with the Viola depends, don't want to take too much on. I feel confident today, tommorow I might be depressed again.

Thanks for your suggestion and will let you know how I get on, going to ISM website to see what I can find. I wish I could take you up about playing yours all day but if you are in North London, maybe? I am scared of Central London or travelling through it and nothning would get me on a tube now, funny to think I was quite happy to commute from Finchley and later from here when I worked in Law in Holborn years ago!

Angie

Sometimes you just have to be a litle bit cheeky

I understand that it's physically easier in some respects for an adult to take to the cello, because of the interval spacing. There's a subtlety of touch required for a violin which can only (apparently) come with tiny childlike fingers. I can't really comment. I don't play the violin.

As for the 'cello - Well think of this - you can play in the violin and viola register too. So really you can play it all if you become adept enough ! (You will have to learn yet another clef though).

It's good that you're seriously thinking of the piano too. I think you're right though not to take on too much too soon. That way you'll only find more frustration. But at least you're starting to investigate what might be right for you.


Sadly I'm in South London. (When I say sadly - I like it here !) In fact I'm bordering another county. However I'm quite sure that one day, given time, you'll be able to face the throes of London again. In the meantime.........Keep us up to date, go slowly and Good Luck.

As long as you are totally honest with the teacher about what you want - that you just want to try and see if you fancy it - I don't see a problem. If a teacher has a problem with that then they just will say "no I don't do that". As long as you are honest and say you just want to have a go and a few brief pointers then you are essentially asking for a consultancy type lesson and it's just a bit extra for them money wise if they have the time to give you