A couple questions about cello playing...?

Question

I am a fourteen year old girl about to enter the ninth grade. My parents have just recently gotten me into the mood of thinking about college, that way when junior year comes around I am not completely oblivious. Right now I am not thinking too seriously, it's just on my mind. Anyway, I was thinking about picking up the cello this year. The type of instrument that I have been looking to play is one that has solo opportunities but does not usually have a spotlight in full band performances. I have a short attention span, so I need an instrument that is sort of complicated and will press me to keep learning. Cello seems to fit all of these, am I right? Also, if I were to start playing the cello at the beginning of this school year and were to practice a lot with determination to get good, how long would it take an average person to reach the point when they can be considered "amazing at cello" or something of the like. I'm not asking for statistics, just a guess from personal experience.

Answer 1

short attention span...join the club;)

the chello is awsom. I'll give it that much. Bit I've bounced arround EVERYTHING every string. Every wind. Drums, tuba, even vocals, you name it I've played it (yep. Even bagpipes) I spent about the last 9 years almost devoted to learning to play music. Personally. If you LOVE high notes and making people miserable. You'll adore the flute. The flute and chello are two of the five Instruments I actually went out and bought instead of a car. A chello can differ. Honst to god. Mine was 5000. But for a beginner I would go for a yahama. That brand rules. It costs about 1000-2000  for a good quality chello. That will probaly last you untill you want another one. As for "being amazing" I'd say about four years.

As for flute. The brand to claim fame is also yahama. They cost about the sms. And will last you just as long. Given proper care and upkeep. They are equally as simple. BUT for like Christmas songs. Or march style songs. You are put more in the spotlight. Other than that it takes about 3 years to be amazing at it.

Live laugh learn. Have fun take lessons if you have to.

Oh ya. And rent the instrument foe the first year. Although buying an instrument encourages the use. Its better to learn. And still have money in your bank when your shire you love what you play.

Answer 2

Yes, cello is a good choice! However, it may take 5-7 years for someone to become moderately impressive. There is a lot of technique and muscle memory involved in playing cello (and other string instruments). There are, of course, exceptions where music prodigies master an instrument quickly, but that rarely happens.

Colleges do look at extracurricular activities in applicants, so I can understand...but you might want to pick an wind or brass instrument. From my experience, flute and clarinet would be the fastest to pick up.

An advanced cello player will aim for a cello that costs over $3,000. Each musician favors something different, and so there really isn't a "best" brand. It is what responds best to your playing and style. There are very famous instruments like the Stradivari cellos and violins that were made in the 1700s...and those can be worth from several hundred thousand dollars to the millions.

Answer 3

ahh you've gone with string, good choice :]

Colleges love strings, as it takes hard work to make them sound good!

Cello is a beautiful instrument, with a beautiful sound, though there are not so many solo options as say the violin. However the solos for cellos are wonderful to listen to.

Cellos are not spotlighted in orchestra, but you do need to be good; if the bass is wrong the piece is wrong.

But yes overall the cello does fit your requirements.

To learn it to solo standard in a year?

Depends on the level of the solo.

Simple solo yes.

Stringed instruments are the hardest instruments to learn, as it takes not only skill, but also talent to remember qhere each fingering is, and the position.

To be considered amazing...well it depends what you'd say is amazing. I play violin grade 8 standard, which took me 7 years. Grade 5 is pretty good, so on average that would take about 4/5 years; as i said strings are difficult and you do need some talent. Who knows you might have it! No harm in trying is there?

Though because it is so difficult it would spur you to keep learning it.

Yes, I'd say cello for you sounds like a good idea.

If you're worried it'll be too hard, then if you want a bass, try a bassoon, if you want easy try flute, if you want tricky then violin.

It's up to you, but for you, yes i would definately recommend the cello.

Hope this helps :]