Silly question but I cant decide whether to take up violin or Cello- I love the sound of the Cello best but I am only 5 ft and have little hands so will I physically find it limiting? Would the violin be a better option?

Any experience and advice from you players out there is much appreciated

Linnetbird,

Height is not an issue and don't let small hands put you off.

I'm a professional violinist of about your height and also with small hands - probably the size of a 10 - 12 year olds hands actually. It has never hindered my playing - other than when I've tried the Paganini Caprices....but Paganini had ENORMOUS hands, even for a man.

At one time I dabbled in the cello and to be honest, if you get an instrument with something like a 29 inch back and a string length of no more than 27 inches you should be fine. (The string length is the distance from the 'nut', where the strings go into the peg box, and the cental point of the bridge).

Whichever instrument you play, to begin with the stretching and finger placement will be fairly hard work, even a little uncomfortable, but regular practice is the only way to get the hands and arms used to doing something they've not done before.

If you prefer the sound of the cello, then follow your ears, but it might be worth trying the violin as well just in case you decide you don't feel comfortable on the cello. Hire an instrument to start with and see which you prefer or feel more at home with.

Also, do get yourself a teacher, as they will be in the best position to advise in instrument size and physical suitability. Carpel tunnel syndrome is not unheard of in string players who've insisted on playing instruments which are too big for them. Injuries like this don't happen overnight, they are the long term result of physical discomfort - but listen to your body, as it will tell you even more than a teacher can.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Amanda

There are so many different size string instruments. Small hand and height are really no problems. Children as young as 4 play the cello so size is no matter. You just won't be able to play a 4/4 full size cello. Cellos range from 1/8 or smaller all the way to the full size.

Go to a music shop and they can measure you up for one. My 7 year old has just started the cello in sept and plays on 1/4 and has no problems with the stretches, regular practise really helps !!

Ya, small size hands may be an advantage to you when you place your finger in the higher positions( high pitching area ) .I think small size fingers can allow you to place your finger more comfortabally when you need to play semitones on higher positions.

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I think small size fingers can allow you to place your finger more comfortabally when you need to play semitones on higher positions

That's a very good point, Eliza. I get people telling me that with the violin - "oh you're so lucky to have small hands and fingers for the high positions. It must make intonation so much easier".

It is, except in something like 9th position on the G string. It's a big stretch with small hands.

Although, as a cello player, I am slightly biased, you should definitely take up the cello.
For example, in orchestras people are always looking for cellists, as we are in short supply! so you will be very popular in the music world!
Also, the violin is very screechy, and takes a lots of hard work until it sounds nice! Even though you are small, cellos come in lots of different sizes; I know a girl who is just 1 foot tall and played a 1/16 size cello!!
So there are a number of good reasons why should become a cellist!

Just play a smaller cello! I was around 155 cm when I first learned cello 5 years ago, using a 3/4. Now at 170 cm, it's way too small!

QUOTE (charleymer @ Feb 19 2005, 06:24 PM)

I know a girl who is just 1 foot tall

i don't think you can be too small for the cello if you compare it to the Double Bass

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i don't think you can be too small for the cello if you compare it to the Double Bass

True! and a lot of double bass players (esp. female) play a 3/4 size instrument.

It's very rare to find adult cellists playing on anything smaller than a 7/8th sized. The string length is more important than the actual size of the instrument, as it's this that dictates how big the stretches are between the notes. Cellists come in all shapes and sizes (as all other musicians do), so it's a case of finding a cello that feels comfortable to the individual.

In general, I suppose the larger hands you have the wider the choice of instruments available. Old English cellos generally have shorter string lengths, or can be set up with a shorter string length, making them ideal for the more petite player.