Violin and cello?

Question

I have played violin for a while, but I am interested in learning the cello too.

Is this an easy enough transition? How would it be different?

Basically, would I be able to pick up a cello and pretty much play it the same way as I would the violin?

Thanks!

Answer 1

you play in bass clef, your fingers are farther apart, and the bow is bigger

Answer 2

One big difference is the clef sign. Violin, I believe in in treble clef and cello is bass clef. So you would have to, kind of, relearn to read music.  See the wiki about the clef signs.

Answer 3

There are fewer notes in each position on the cello. Cellists don't use "high" and "low" second finger, we use one finger for each half step. This means that the fingering patterns are pretty different on the cello and you generally have to shift more often than on the violin. Since the cello's fingerboard is two feet longer than the violin's, the notes are much further apart, so you will need to adjust your left hand positions accordingly.

Not to mention that the fact that the strings are tuned to different notes--the cello uses a low C string instead of a high E string.

Bowing technique is similar, but a proper cello bow grip is different from a proper violin grip. As others have mentioned, the thicker strings require more power, which some violinists have a little trouble with at first when switching to cello or bass. A cello bow is also a few inches shorter than a violin bow.

Answer 4

1. It's hard to stick a cello under your chin.

2. You'll probably want to use  bigger bow.

3.

Answer 5

Biggest transition is reading C clef instead of treble. Bow movements are larger, more from the back than with violin. Instrument is harder to schlep around.

Answer 6

As a cello player myself (and my sister plays violin) I pretty much know both instruments. With the cello, it is easier to vibrate, but the thick strings take a toll on your fingertips (if you practice enough). What I mean is that you might have to suffer through some sore and/or blistering fingertips if you jump right in. If you have small hands (like me) than you might find it hard to reach the fingerings sometimes. The cello is basically different in how it looks--the strings are thicker so your fingers need to adjust, it is simply a bigger instrument so you have to learn to play with more power to get the full potential of sound, and the cello costs much more to maintain because it is so much bigger.

Because of your string instrument background, it would be easier to figure out the correct bow position and finger position, and also the general music background will boost you in getting started.

I think the change in clef is no big deal, I play piano so I knew treble and bass clef and I had to learn tenor clef for cello. That is something simple and once you practice transposing the clef it will be no big deal. Hope that helps!