How do i know what kind of cello to buy if im just starting??

Question

i really want to play the cello but first i need a cello so im wondering what to buy?

Answer 1

Go to a reputable violin shop and let the sales staff there help you pick out a cello.  Try out a bunch of different instruments and see which one feels most comfortable in your hands. Bring a cello-playing friend with you to help evaluate the different instruments if you can.  Otherwise, once you've narrowed down your selection to 3 or 4 instruments that feel good when you hold them, then get one of the sales staff to play each of your choices while you listen with your back turned.  The one that sounds best to you is the one you want.

Don't forget that you also need a decent bow in order to make any progress.  If you're on a limited budget, you'd be better off in the beginning buying a cheaper cello and a better bow. You won't be able to hear much difference in your own playing between a cheap cello and a more expensive one when you're first starting out, but a good bow will make a huge difference in your learning to play.  A good bow is properly balanced and weighted and feels like an extension of your hand, and will easily do what you want it to.  A badly made cheap bow will be unbalanced, feel awkward, and feels like you have to fight with it to get it to do what you want. The sales staff at the violin shop can advise you on a choice of bows as well.

Answer 2

Since you're just starting the cello, you might not want to go to a luthier just yet.  Professional-grade cellos are very expensive, and most people don't buy a good one until they are more advanced.  There are some places that sell student-grade cellos.  You might be able to find one in your area.  Lots of people go with the option of renting a cello.  Then you are not obligated to any big purchases, and you can easily get a better cello when the time comes.  This can be done through places like Johnson Strings (http://www.johnsonstring.com/rental/inde... ).  Hope this helps!  Good luck!