I've played the cello for 4 years now. I admit that I usually practice twice a week, usually on Thursday or Friday and once on Saturday, a few hours before my lesson. I don't practice too long, usually half an hour is the average, the longest is 45 minutes, and sometimes just 20 minutes. However, despite my bad practicing habit, I've played the Bach Suites since a year ago. My teacher said maybe my method of practicing was right, and that the time is not important. In fact, he says I'll start learning concertos in my next lesson!

My mother thinks that my practice is not enough. VERY not enough. She says, I can't make my cello sound beautiful, and it's very squeaky. AND she said there is no chance of me passing an ABRSM cello exam, even if it was a low grade, like gr 5. She was even ready to prove it.

Well, I think she compared my cello sound with a gr 1 cello student who got distinction so he was allowed to play in a high scorers concert. I was playing in the same concert, but playing piano. His cello sound was, well quite pleasant, at least better than me. He was playing a simple piece, without vibrato, etc. However, I think he didn't play magnificently, though. He just played it "clean", without mistakes. That was 2 years ago. Now my cello sounds much better. I can play as well as that boy. She just doesn't listen too much. She wants it to sound very beautiful like Yo Yo Ma's playing or Rostropovich. She's also my piano teacher.

I don't think that the cello always HAS to play in a tone like that. Sure, there are lots of pieces that require a beautiful, passionate tone, but a lot pieces need a more sharp (I don't mean too high by the word "sharp", just more loud and "stern") and firm tone. Like, the first and third movements of sonatas and concertos. Does anyone agree with this?

My pieces are much too technically difficult to play as simply as that boy. But I am sure that my cello playing isn't bad. If I could just place a recording on this thread!

How much time do you think it takes before you can produce a very beautiful and clean tone? Not only four years with only around 35 lessons a year, right?

QUOTE

How much time do you think it takes before you can produce a very beautiful and clean tone?

Difficult question answer. It is said that to produce a good tone on the violin takes 10 years, but this could probably also be applied to the viola, cello and maybe even the bass.

You need to be more focussed with your practice and concentrate on your quality of tone and perhaps look at some studies that involve various bowings and styles of playing, which will help bow arm development.

Four years is not very long in terms of technique development, especially since you admit to only practicing maybe two or three times a week. Technique is developed through regular, daily practice and consistently working on solving whatever technical problems you have - in this case, bowing.

Being able to play Bach cello suites or a concerto has nothing to do with your tone production. The left hand may have developed enough dexterity to get around the notes, but if your bowing is uncontrolled or not consistent on the strings then the sound you produce will not improve.

The secret to a good bowing and a good bow arm is to move mainly from the elbow, not the shoulder, and also keep the wrist and fingers supple. Any tenseness will cause a harsh tone. Keep the bow flowing evenly over the strings, and avoid jerky stops, starts, and changes of bow direction. Think smoothness all the time.

Sometimes it's not the player, it's the cello that has the problems.
What kind of cello do you have?

I have a Chinese-licensed-made Cremona 3/4 cello. It's been played for 4 years so it has a very rich tone now! But my cello tone isn't too bad, either. It's not like a rat squeaking. Sometimes it isn't very pleasant as Yo Yo Ma or Rostropovich or other concert cellists. That's perfectly normal of course!!!