Hi, i'm think of buying another instrument to learn and am posting to see what people who play the cello were like when they were begginers and how easy it was. They seem quite hard to play as they don't have frets . What are your view, i will appreciate replies
Thanks PR

i used to play Cello myself, heck, i found it pretty easy.

there was a time when i had played in a matter of days and had knew more than my friend who took lessons and have been learning for 6 months

PR, it may seem hard when you're used to frets to guide you, but it's a beautiful instrument. You should have a go and see how you get on. Finding the correct pitch without frets on any string instrument will be something you get used to, and your ear will improve a lot.

It's a shame the viola-de-gamba fell out of fashion really as that would have been ideal

But, as Sarah says, fretless instruments are good for one's ears, especially at recognising unequal temperament - Bb, for example, has to be played really flat otherwise it doesn't sound 'right'.

Did that have frets?? I either didn't know that or had forgotten! You learn something new...

Yes. Viols had six strings and frets and, in my opinion, are delightful to listen to. They come in a range of sizes, from small viola-sized ones through to cello and double-bass sizes. They're all played held between the legs; the tiny ones look quite humerous when played! Unfortunately, I've only seen them on TV (Concordia on The Early Music Show).

I'm not sure what the tuning was, it might be like modern guitar tuning but I suspect it's more likely to be like a six-course lute.

I've found a nice viol picture from The Early Music Shop's web site: click here.

I've seen pictures in books (obviously not very detailed ones!) and read about them when studying music, but I'm certain I didn't know they had frets oh well! That's a lovely picture - thanks! I guess I always assumed that as they were forerunners of our present string instruments that they would be approx the same, although I did know they were played between the knees - again, I have seen pictures! (I have an image in my head, a painting of a consort of viol players - I think I must've seen that in a book!)

It's just occurred to me that "viol de gamba" does actually suggest the between the knees thing, as gamba surely means leg...? (unless my linguistic neurons have given out at this late hour!) I wonder if they also had simply viols or viols de... uh... (what's arm? can't think) at any point.

Anyway.

Sorry for being completely off topic!

Ah, the things only spotted by linguists! I find it really satisfying to notice things like that, but I missed that one (not that I'm a linguist, of course). You're quite right, to quote the 'Viola da Gamba Society of America' web site:



And I don't think it's too off-topic - by the time we've done pianist_rocker might want to take it up

Well there's a surprise

Why the new name, Chopin?

Liz

dont get me started, look on the overall posters thread in the forum cafe

Point! lol... Yes, I usually spot such things, it can get a bit annoying - I sometimes end up being tooooooooooo analytical of what's said to me just from years of analysing language. Just as well i took languages and not linguistics or I'd probably be MUCH worse...

don't get offended. just watch it with the bragging

i am still a beginner cellist but i didnt find it too difficult to get started but i imagine getting to a good standard of playing is difficult (i wouldnt know)

As you may have guessed by my name, I play the cello.

Now Difficult or Hard is quite a Hard question (hope thats not to Hard to understand) Well personaly I find Cello and Violin Easy, but I now play piano and found difficulty using both hands to begin with. Now, I take it you play piano, and most of my mates play piano and a stringed instrument and say its easy going from piano to strings.

Obviously swinging the bass 90 degrees doenst normally make it soung like a cello but you've got bass clef mastered anyway,

Youll be fine,
Cello is a great choice if you ask me!