Cello yearly progress (adult beginner, year 5 to 6)

[@BurningtunaDC]

Your performances are a joy to watch and inspirational. Keep on playing and shooting videos.

[@nhknhk078]

Thank you for sharing. It humanises the instrument and show how difficult it is!

[@ameliahallworth1527]

Hi, wanted to say thank you for making these videos. I started playing almost 5 years ago, and it's really nice to see other people who have been playing for a similar amount of time. I hope you post again, I'm curious how your past year has gone.

[@hahaha20245]

❤ those videos! Great progress and funny captions! Keep up the great work!! I just picked up cello less than a year ago. Fantastic instrument!

[@adultcellolearner4574]

You have been playing a couple of years longer than me - I have been playing just coming up to 5 years. You are tackling very challenging repertoire! One thing I notice is that your cello wobbles a lot. It looks quite low and slanted. I think you would find it easier if you had it a little higher and straighter so that you are more in control of it. But you are doing really well - it’s nice to see your videos because a lot of people seem to stop posting around 2/3 years. Keep going and keep posting!

[@gerardquinn4513]

Thank you for that very honest video. It will give people an idea of how difficult and frustrating it is to play the cello. I think the comments you wrote on the screen are so funny and entertaining. You are great to persevere. Mind you you did try the most challenging and difficult pieces out of the cello repertoire.

[@lukefidalgo8154]

I started playing the piano when I was a teenager, but had given up on it when I reached 19 due to general disinterest and lack of commitment. Now I'm 23, and have gotten a newfound interest in music. I started playing the guitar and I gotta say, I'm falling in love with the instrument. I feel much more passionate about it then I ever did with the piano all those years ago. Even though we're playing different instruments and genres, it's nice and inspiring to see another person pursue their interests and push foward with their skills.

[@TiagoCotrim]

I play viola as my main instrument, but have recently started trying to learn the cello. I’ve played the Arpeggione on the viola, can’t wait to get to a point where I can try it on the cello too! Great progress, keep it up!

[@zhouyiqian]

Thanks! I can't wait for the day when I can attempt the whole piece. Right now just focusing on the first 51 bars.

[@jairdinh7563]

Inspirational most of these pieces are quite challenging.

[@minseongseo6150]

i have been playing the cello for 11/2 years. It is way easier with a private teacher. I am currently working on concerto no 1 for my all state. nice work and keep it up!

[@petraeunjoo]

I also shared a video about my 4 years cello progress as an adult beginner from scratch but I don't play that good like you do.

[@zhouyiqian]

Just watched yours. Kudos to your public performances! I don't have much chance to go on stage, but it's definitely something I should do.

[@petraeunjoo]

@@zhouyiqian Thank you and yes, you should perform, not me, haahaaaa.

[@annagreets]

First of all - I don't mean to sound discouraging. Having said that, it looks like you're having too many pieces in work at the same time and they're too long and difficult for you, yes, even after 6 years of learning. As a consequence, your progress is slowing down, your mistakes're getting cemented, you're evidently struggling and may end up disappointed in yourself if you will keep playing music you have little chance to actually memorize, let it settle in and eventually improve. I've tried myself venturing a way beyond my level but quickly became aware that I'm getting nowhere with that. A musical downshifting and an ability to relax is what we amateurs need. Let professionals fret over technicalities in difficult classical pieces. The world of music isn't limited by them. Alternatively, you may consult a teacher about what best suits you in the classical field.

[@zhouyiqian]

I wasn't able to have lessons because of the pandemic and moving from one place to another, so it's important to keep myself motivated by having fun, i.e. playing what I want to/would like to eventually play. Sometimes it's not able how much I can get it 'right' (and I know it's beyond me); it's more about what the act of practice can bring to me.

[@annagreets]

@@zhouyiqian Yeah, I'm getting your point. If you're just playing this out of curiosity/as an experiment, it's one thing. If your objective is, like, sightread 1st part of Arp. Sonata start to finish, fluently and confidently and with minimal mistakes, it might take another several years. In this period you might learn most of music theory and discover the talent for improvising or even composing, start making your own arrangements, add another instrument to your musical studies, etc. Personally, I wouldn't have invested so many years of life into a long professional level piece of music.

[@tesshopkin6054]

How long do you usually practice each day? I am just starting to learn and I’m so inspired by your videos.

[@zhouyiqian]

Nowadays max 1hr... I used to do 2-3 hrs when I just started!

[@this_is_cricket]

I just finished watching both this video and the years 1-5 one. It seemed like the amount of skill you gained in this video was nearly equal to the amount of skill learned in the 5 year (nearly) period of the last video. Judging by your piano, I have a feeling you've played other instruments before. Do you tend to have this experience with all instruments you pick up? I ask because I'm interested in picking up piano or maybe the violin one day.

[@zhouyiqian]

Hmmm, I don't play the piano though... Only dabbled in the flute many years ago

[@Anastasia-sz2qp]

DONT PLAY at an angle as on difficult pieces requiring an immense amount of string crossings that are very fast it will be very hard doing that in a stable stande

[@zhouyiqian]

Thanks for the tip. Will try it out!

[@TheStrad2006]

You really are quite inspirational. Adult learners have always been extremely impressive to me, especially for such a complex instrument. Have you tried any concerti yet?

[@zhouyiqian]

Back when I still had a teacher, we did one Goltermann concerto, but I haven't attempted any 'big' ones. Technically not there yet and I feel I'm already pushing the limit.

[@TheStrad2006]

@@zhouyiqian I'm wondering, did you study previously as a child and then take a break?

[@zhouyiqian]

@@TheStrad2006 I'll take this as a huge compliment. No, I haven't and I didn't even listen to classical music when I was small. I started at 20, did 6 months, stopped for 2 years and have been playing it since.