7 Months Cello Progress [Frank Meijering]

[@JSWilliamssr]

Seven months. Now I feel so ashamed. I have been learning violin for three years and you are WAY ahead of me.

[@TraversClark]

I bet you are way ahead of me on violin, I've had it for roughly 20 years and can barely play more than kids tunes.

[@notmyworld44]

You're not "making me listen to this"! I'm doing it voluntarily. It's fun watching other beginners' progress. I'm 77 and in month ten now, and playing fairly confidently in several church ensembles.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks for your nice comment :)

[@jacksparr0w300]

I know what you mean. I was walking around the house and enjoying the music.

[@MissG_RMPS]

Amazing! I'm 50 in a few weeks and always wanted to learn...considering treating myself to a cello for my birthday, you've definitely made me feel more confident about it, so thank you!

[@wakingtheworld]

Now that's impressive, Wayne... In 10 months?! Wow!

[@wakingtheworld]

@@MissG_RMPS Well plenty of years in your life to master this instrument... Enjoy!

[@cryololz]

I play guitar, piano and drums casually and stop on these progress videos from time to time to tell myself "hey see what you can achieve if you practice more". Because I tend to just try to play / learn a piece I like and then just play that for some time, without feeling the need to "improve". Even though I improve anyway, just way slower. Aaaaaaaaand I was like "omg Cello sound giga difficult to learn, let's see". I goofed at your first day (the "oof", I couldn't not laugh), because "I feel you bro". And then... The Bach Cello Suite. I cried. I always found this piece... A masterpiece. It moves me deep. I had forgotten that with time, thank you for reminding me. Have a good day, and see you soon for your next progress video !

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks a lot :) Nice that you keep practising! There's always something exciting about learning a new instrument or piece, even though you start from zero haha

[@shannonoleary7704]

I'm no expert but i think that the fact that you started trying vibrato at 3 weeks is freaking amazing.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks, to be honest I was just impatient and wanted to try it asap :)

[@Oylan000]

@@FrankMeijering yeah man. I didnt touch vibrato until like month 10… and you were shifting too! that blew my mind dude. Keep up the great work! I completely agree with you on month 6 btw, its very easy to get lost with your left hand. Surprisingly though, you did a really good job with it!

[@raneyheald3891]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@yourmother3921]

@@Oylan000 Bruh I learned Vibrator like year 2 lmao

[@artvibes7985]

@@yourmother3921VIBRATOR

[@psavic583]

Professional cellist and teacher here, great job!

[@nateeaton7729]

I’m 16 and really thinking about getting into the cello. Your progress is way faster than mine would be but it gives me encouragement.

[@FrankMeijering]

You should do it! 16 is quite young so the earlier the better

[@lindacowles756]

Will you fit through the F hole?

[@heyheytaytay]

Playing the Elgar concerto at 3 weeks is pretty damn impressive.

[@Slipee1]

Sou estudante de cello e espero que as pessoas não se frustrem. Ele aprender tão rápido a tocar, não te faz mais ruim que ele, ou menos inteligente. Cada um tem seu tempo, fora que ele já estudava música em outros instrumento.

[@David-hg5uo]

You achieved what I did in 2 year in only 7 months, Bravo!

[@ilsedeziah]

Wonderful work learning the cello, so fast. I hope you're still playing!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks! Still playing :)

[@FrankMeijering]

Sorry for the obnoxious thumbnail, I got carried away ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Edit: Thank you so much for all the nice comments on my video, I am overwhelmed by how nice you all are

[@aparvulescu]

Don't excuse yourself for something that's perfect

[@jenthefwen]

Just a little click-baity

[@FrankMeijering]

@@jenthefwen guess it worked hahah

[@TheBereangirl]

Yeah well KZbin is rather hypocritical on that issue. They say, "Don't do it," but they make it nearly impossible not to if you want views.😏 Honestly, I didn't even look at the Thumbnail, I read the title, I'm a beginning cellist at the "tender" age of 51😏😂 and I'm a mom of twenty something boys. You play beautifully with vibrato, trilling, second position, position changes, bars, and double stops?! I'm impressed and inspired.☺️ Thank you for this video I truly enjoyed it!❤️

[@ebowebo]

Unreallll good job man! That's unbelievable how fast you learned how to play. Amazing job! If you can play the 6 suites you can play anything! Keep goin!!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks! Suite 6 is still far away ;)

[@yanas9871]

Dude, well done! I started playing cello last year and added piano few weeks ago. I hope that the skills will transfer between the two as good as it happened in your case!

[@FrankMeijering]

Good luck with it! For me it really helped to know the notes on the piano first, since on the cello it is (in my opinion) less direct and intuitive. On the piano you can directly see what you are playing.

[@giantgasdragoose]

Amazing Progress after just 7 months. VERY impressive shifting

[@olyasavosina9052]

Yesterday I decided to start learning cello, and such videos push me into it even more! Thank you!

[@FrankMeijering]

That's nice to hear :) Good luck and have fun learning!!

[@PauloEdson]

I've started around the same time. How is it going?

[@olyasavosina9052]

@@PauloEdson it was quite hard to find a teacher so I'm going to start next sunday! what about you?

[@Jokis-Sam]

I am a cellist, that plays cello for 1.5 years. You did great! Bravo! There are some out of tune notes, but it's okay! It had me shocking that you tried doing vibrato in the 3rd week. The whole progress was similar to mine, because i had to jump of class 1 to 6, and it worked! You achieved so much! Keep playing cello! You sound great!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thank you! My motto was just trying difficult things even if it was clearly too much for me at the time. Maybe not the most perfect routine but it was fun and kept me motivated :)

[@MarijkeViolin]

Awesome! I'm starting cello lessons next week, after already playing the violin for 6 years and I'm excited!

[@FrankMeijering]

Nice, good luck with it! I think I saw your cello video even before I made mine hahah, good stuff :)

[@audrey-kd7ec]

3.5 months was quite an amazing jump! also it's so cool you are studying aerospace engineering hehe. i love how you kept challenging yourself, it made you improve so fast!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks a lot! I mean, progress would be about half as fast without challenging yourself :) And yes, aerospace is epic.

[@xidarma]

In 7 months you achieved what I struggled in 7 years. Excellent👍

[@kayladuran2839]

Goodness the work you put into learning the cello is nothing less of inspiring. Motivates me to practice more.

[@FrankMeijering]

Great to hear! Good luck with practising :)

[@domingopartida5812]

That first stroke on the c string as a beginner cellist makes you feel heavy metal af

[@FrankMeijering]

Hahahahhaha too true🤣

[@roz8723]

I started playing the cello as an adult and really enjoy it. I am seriously impressed by how far you have come in such a short period of time. You have a wonderful talent. Thanks for sharing.

[@LaurenHinrichsen-op6gd]

Damn. 3.5 months in and the progress is amazing. A little hesitation and sharpness, but enjoyable to listen to. It probably helped that you're already a trained musician.

[@kunigundecraggs9562]

Hi Frank what a great video you have created! I have just started playing the cello on March 1st and know the feelings.... It is great to see your progress! I won't play classical music so I'll have to find my own way.... Thanks for encouraging me!💕

[@FrankMeijering]

That's so great to hear! Good luck in the future :)

[@Cellothere123]

That's really brilliant! Thr bach was amazing for after only 7 months 👏 bravo

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks!!

[@bassintexas6706]

So beautiful and inspiring... BRAVO!!!

[@halberttorraca3392]

That is amazing!!! i have been playing for 18 months and I have not even thought about playing the Bach Prelude. Well done!!!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks!! Good luck with practising!

[@ChrisC-Pi]

Wow! you are really talented, that's great to see a progress video like this, I just started lessons 4 weeks ago if I could sound like that after 7 months I would be very happy, well done!

[@FrankMeijering]

Good luck with it!

[@joanrusche6918]

I’m impressed and humbled. Have been taking cello lessons for most of this year and am no where close to your ability.

[@Velvetfarmer]

Omg, I’m so jealous. You picked it up so quickly. I’m just starting to learn it. Am a few days in, and IF I can play as you do at 3 weeks I will be delighted. At six months…wow. Well done.

[@JustBlessd84]

You killed it at week 3 😂 and the title when you played Bachs prelude had me dying... I was thinking the entire time, this guy seriously isn't going to play the prelude 🤣

[@dolceviolins9535]

I can see some good progress here! Motivation and determination are all you need and you got both. Sometimes beginner cellists visit my store and I love talking to them about cellos and how to choose one.

[@Bannerkim1]

Nice journal passage and development as a cellist and pianist. Yea, playing incrementally with warming up, intonation mapping the fingerboard along with bowing designs is always good. I had to recover my Bach Suite No.1 developed over time to get it to where I wanted it too. Hooray on journaling.

[@wakingtheworld]

The first few mins in - I'm impressed, Frank. I started the violin 18 months ago and month 1 was open string pieces only. Not even started vibrato yet. Still on 1st position but my tutor happy with my progress. Get back to me in 10 years! Your Bach Cello suite was good... String crossings are a bugger. Bet you sound amazing now, 2 years on!

[@lindsayramsbottom1859]

Really inspiring and I could ready relate to your comments as an adult learner of cello. You play beautifully

[@suede.the.curator]

Thank you for sharing your journey! The amount of cello content available online is surprisingly limited, so I hope this video encourages other budding cellists to continuing learning. I rented one a couple weeks ago because I have always loved the sound. After I paid for the instrument, the person that checked me out asked where I would be taking lessons. The look on their face when I said I plan to teach myself seemed to wish me a feigned “good luck” and lingered as I walked out the door. It was a bit disheartening to discover there are so few instructional and progress videos online for the cello; I cannot help but wonder how many people are completely discouraged by this, so it is always exciting to see people shed light on the experience of learning any instrument - especially as someone whose primary instrument is quite niche. And it is pretty cool to see another engineer with passion for music. 🎉

[@FrankMeijering]

Nice to hear your story! To be honest I can really recommend to go to lessons, even if it's just twice a month or something. It has helped me a ton.

[@juliecaron7569]

If you speak French, Jeanne Dorche has a fantastic, beginner 1 and 2 level cello courses, well worth the money. I am currently following her class.

[@andreagerrity1056]

Good grief!! How so good so quickly??? It took me ages to even get to pre-intermediate level. I guess having played another instrument helps - I started with no musical background at all. But we'll done!

[@lindacowles756]

Yes, I was waiting for the Bach cello suite #1. You saved the best for last.

[@melindaartero794]

I’m a cello teacher and it’s amazing ! You are better that all my students at their beginning 😅

[@JudasXx]

Fantastic! big jumps in your progress 💪🏻

[@bun.villani]

OMG! I am just __ years old and I am playing the cello for 3 years now! I am really impressed you improved a lot in just 7 months!! I can’t do that 😢😢😢

[@PauloEdson]

Congratulations! 🤩 I started playing the cello 2 weeks ago and I am very excited about it. 🎻At this moment I still haven't started with any teacher but I found some good beginner-level books and I am following them thoroughly, studying regularly for 30 minutes without skipping any day. :-) Soon you will see a video like this on my channel too.

[@FrankMeijering]

Nice, have fun with learning!

[@julieyan30]

Great job! I got carried away watching twoset and ended up here. I'm 13 and have been playing the cello for almost 9 years. In comparison, it took me about 5 years to develop a free vibrato and I only played the Bach last year (could've done it earlier but still). The only recommendations I have are to do specific vibrato exercises and flatten your bow hand wrist a little. One other thing that might help with the vibrato is keeping your other fingers closer to the fingerboard or not lifting them up when vibrating on 3 or 4 (to add support). Other than that, amazing job and I should probably go practice now.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks!!

[@andyjang7366]

wtf 9 years at 13?? that’s so cool, i’m currently 14 and i’ve been playing for 7 years and the thought of starting at 4 years old is really scaring me lol and actually it’s pretty similar for me, I’ve only recently starting trying out vibrato cus everytime i try it ends up sounding horrible lol

[@julieyan30]

@@andyjang7366 vibrato is hard but I'm sure you got this!

[@wakingtheworld]

Yay! Another LingLing wannabee! YT thinks I'm a cellist now cos I've watched a lot of cello stuff recently. Well that's awesome... How you guys learn from age 4 beats me... How do you read music when you're struggling to read words? Keep the passion. Practice goes without saying...

[@nataliac.r123]

You just got me with the fourier transforms haha. Also engineer looking to learn to play the chello, this gives me hope. Thanks!!

[@FrankMeijering]

Ah haha nice to hear, I hope you have a lot of fun!

[@carson_valorant4077]

AT THREE WEEKS ELGAR CONCERTO WASENT THAT BAD

[@ronwhitehouse23]

I was very impressed with your rendition of Bach very well done.

[@petraschumann987]

That was a ridiculously fast progression. Well done!

[@sungschoo]

You inspired me to pick up a cello start to learn. Thanks!

[@FrankMeijering]

No way!! That is really cool, have fun with it :)

[@jairdinh7563]

HOLY such fast progress and such disciplined practice.

[@Oylan000]

Wow man! You’re skill in just the few weeks was so amazing! you were doing slurs, you had a pretty good bowhand from the start and you were even getting straight bows! keep up the good work dude, i can definitely see you in a professional orchestra some day.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks a lot!!

[@ToneTraveler]

I started playing Cello three years ago, after playing guitar and bass for 30 years. It was frustrating, but rewarding stumbling with the bow and vibrato. You made a lot of progress!

[@danielrichard4987]

Well done. Played cello first when I was in middle school and finally returned to playing it at the age of 32. Like a long lost friend getting back into it. Having played double bass/electric bass for the past 20 years has helped get in the swing of it so shouldn't be long until I get to finish prelude confidently.

[@FrankMeijering]

Nice, once you start with music you won't be able to stop hahah

[@dionbaillargeon4899]

It took me about 4-5 years to make the progress you've made in only 7 months! I guess being an amazing pianist makes a big difference. At this rate, you'll play better than me in 7 more months...and I've playing the cello for 20 years! xD

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks!! I like your optimism :)

[@Squirrel777x]

You’re amazing, thank you for sharing your journey with us

[@dorothynemeth9675]

your bow hand on day one is insanely good what it was such a good idea to play music you love, i noticed a lot of the pieces you chose were more advanced material, but very possible for beginners. I imagine your classical piano background helps you find good pieces to learn to stay interested. was it hard to adjust to have to think more about intonation than on piano? i play both piano and cello, but cello was my first instrument. I always wonder if pianists think of intonation any different than string players.

[@FrankMeijering]

It did take me a while to be able to hear intonation properly. Prior to learning cello, I wouldn't be able to tell small nuances in pitch, just because I never had to think about it. But it came quite naturally afterwards. And yes, even now I sometimes need to sacrifice educational pieces for random things which are just fun to play. Otherwise I lose the motivation to practise.

[@onnoschreurs5406]

Nice to see that you're uploading again Frank :)

[@FrankMeijering]

:)

[@sillywwabbit]

Great progress! Being a musician does help accelerate the learning. I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the neck on the cello isn't aligned with the bridge properly. In the opening shot, looking down the neck of the cello towards the bridge, its obvious. I own two cellos so I know when something looks off. There should be an equal amount of finger board (or close to it) on either sides of the strings. it may just be that the bridge needs to be moved. But it could also be that the neck correctly inline with the body of the cello. my 2 cents. By the way, I'm in the US but I'm originally from Den Haag. :)

[@FrankMeijering]

Interesting to hear around the fingerboard, I did notice it back then but because it was a rented instrument I left it as it was. I have my own cello now so don't have the problem anymore :)

[@sillywwabbit]

@@FrankMeijering That's good to hear. Its a shame that a shop would rent a cello in that condition. It could discourage someone from playing that was new to the cello.

[@FrankMeijering]

Yeah I guess. But to be fair, the cello was not that bad, I never had trouble with the action or anything.

[@KellSaraiva]

I loved to see your progress! I dream of learning cello... it's such a beautiful instrument. God bless you. Love from Brazil.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks!

[@radiomouse1149]

wow! tomorrow is my 125th day of playing the cello and its so interesting to see your progress as someone who started playing late :)

[@PauloEdson]

Today is my 18th day. 🤝 How is your journey going?

[@radiomouse1149]

@@PauloEdson amazing!

[@hildegerdhaugen7864]

Love the three weeks duet.

[@JonSteitzer]

Incredibly compelling and inspiring

[@TheHansettema]

Indrukwekkend Frank. Ik heb genoten van jouw video en progressie. Niet alleen jouw spel maakt een mooie transformatie door, ook jouw kapsel (;

[@FrankMeijering]

Hahaha ja dat zeker! Leuk dat je nog kijkt :)

[@nedheadwyoming]

Awesome and nice progressing in a short time. 😀

[@JS-nf1sn]

That's amazing in 7 months.

[@occasionalvillain7676]

What a brilliant video, excellent progress.. I really hope that you keep it up 👍🏼

[@carloscastro690]

goddamn this is awesome

[@FrankMeijering]

No u

[@carloscastro690]

@@FrankMeijering 😳

[@vikamly9471]

Idk I find it beautiful that you learned so fast. I learn since almost 3 years and I'm still a beginner..

[@FrankMeijering]

Don't give up! Just play a whole lot :)

[@vikamly9471]

@@FrankMeijering thank you I was thinking with stopping but I think I'll give it a last chance

[@FrankMeijering]

@@vikamly9471 good luck!!!

[@emilymazalevskis3034]

so interesting to see your progress!! happy to see you back in my subscription box :’)

[@FrankMeijering]

Sorry I've been posting so little, for some reason I've only been playing difficult piano pieces lately haha. Every time I tell myself to just play something easy but my mind just jumps to something else :) I hope to record something again this summer holiday.

[@michaelmcleary8566]

Happy new haircut! Playing Bach after 7 months is very impressive, however I can only imagine the hours totally invested. I've been playing (?) the cello for 2 months as I needed a new challenge after completing my mechanical engineering degree and hope to attempt playing publicly this Christmas.

[@FrankMeijering]

Nice to hear :) Good luck, you can do it

[@keithraggio6474]

Like I am three years into this cello thing not progressed half to where u are The only stringed instrument I played for 55 years was the tennis racket Music is a whole new game level Nice job Really nice progress

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks, good luck to you anyway! As long as it's fun that's the important part

[@EloiSioMichalski]

Thanks for that! I'm a bass player and I've been trying on the Cello for 6 months! That's inspiring!

[@malcolmjohnstoneinstructorITB]

Excellent. Congrats!!!!!

[@juanbas6424]

Very inspiring man thanks!

[@rommelmaldia5365]

WOW! Great job for 7 months!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks!

[@Lifeangelina]

Nice Progress Frank! Angleina

[@paulschmolke188]

Good progress.👍🏽

[@perryrossmusic1672]

Amazing progress.....

[@RenrZ]

3 WEEKS AND U DID THE VIBRATO?!!! MY GOD

[@BGing_Foodie]

I'm super impressed by how natural your bow hold looks from the start. Usually it's one of the more difficult aspects of learning a string instrument. I've played the violin for years, and cello for a few random weeks one summer. Your vibrato comment is interesting because for violin, we definitely have arm, wrist, and finger vibrato options/techniques. Also, Dr. Bibber is called Operation and was invented in the US :) Enjoy the musical journey!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks :)

[@dpickettturnings7484]

Bravo my man very well played

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks :)

[@trinitytrinity1078]

Very interesting. Hope to see your cello videos more.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks :) I hope I'm not hyping everyone up for cello videos, it'll still be mostly piano, folks :)

[@ricardoyzcoa9835]

Inspiring!

[@PointofConnection]

Very impressive.

[@_mehdi_]

Nice job man, you are really talented, just keep in mind that if you want to play cello seriously, just do what your teacher says. (Before that, you should find a nice teacher). If you don't care about that, you will have tension in your shoulder, arm or hands and it will hurt. Also it develops bad habits. But if you're playing it casually, congratulations, you're on the right way!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks for the advice!

[@NellasxElensar]

Greetings from another pianist that started learning cello :) I am SO envious of your progress! Wonderful job, and thanks for motivating me even more :3 I'm also dreaming of accomplishing a good-sounding piano - cello duet with myself one day but that's got to wait for now cause I can't get anything worthy of publishing recorded just yet :'D

[@FrankMeijering]

Nice to hear, good luck with practising!

[@NellasxElensar]

@@FrankMeijering Thank you! ☺️

[@missmullinmusic]

Love the Rachmaninov intro! 😍

[@vincentevrard1632]

Après 7 mois c’est splendide !!!

[@FrankMeijering]

Merci beaucoup Vincent :)

[@allietran6395]

This is really good! I notice this in a lot of students, but when going into higher positions it will be a lot easier if you raise your left arm higher. If you're in thumb pos. don't rest your arm on the cello, that can ruin the varnish, and it will be a lot harder to play high.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks for the tip! When I play i don't really notice but when I watch the video I do notice it looks weird haha

[@trusstingod]

Wow that is amazing progression

[@jliu7255]

well done!

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks!

[@kevinl6231]

Great job😃❗️

[@mohebmelad3672]

In 3 weeks I think you made some good progress , I am thinking about starting my cello journey but haven't bought one yet and Having Started piano a year and 3 Months while playing guitar since some time I think I have a decent musical background background

[@idekhoa6168]

Dang man, im learning cello too but it was a little more easy since i knew how to play violin and viola. Still you're doing way better than me.

[@PBXVIILY]

I’m a violinist and just got a cello! 😂 you are terrific

[@FrankMeijering]

Haha thanks

[@ronaldiser2106]

I am a semiprofessional guitar player and I also discovered violine, viola and cello as wonderful and challenging option. What I noticed is the benefit of your prerequisits of dealing with sheet music. On the other hand you should be aware that instead of always using full hair it is easier and fortunate for producing a mellow tone to tilt the bow towards the fingerboard (cello) or the bridge (violine) respectively.

[@FrankMeijering]

Thanks, that is true :)

[@marilenakas]

Can't tell you how much I feel seen with this video 😂 Learning as an adult the cello without ANY musical background. Your progress is incomparable to mine but the self - depricating comments are the same 😅

[@FrankMeijering]

Hahahaha nice

[@FrankMeijering]

Good luck in the future!

[@marilenakas]

You should get into Apocalyptica songs 😅😇

[@FrankMeijering]

@@marilenakas have never heard of them, I'll have a listen :)

[@marilenakas]

@@FrankMeijering oh my gosh please do! They have metal covers but also a ton of their own, they're very interesting from a technical point of view imo

[@kaiabach2069]

I started playing the cello around 4-5 months ago and i have started shifting not too long ago

[@wikeff]

awesome, as a pianist and cellist, and apparently a madlad torturing yourself playing so damn hard pieces so early, consider trying Brahms Op.38, cello sonata. Cheers and best of luck!

[@FrankMeijering]

Oh I love Brahms cello sonata 1!! I haven't properly tried to play it, but I definitely will!

[@kevinl6231]

@@FrankMeijering me again. I have an idea. Play the piano accompaniments to some pieces, record them and then play along with your cello😃

[@FrankMeijering]

@@kevinl6231 yep it's on my to do list :) It will probably take quite a while until I have something presentable (perhaps earliest next summer) but I'll do it!

[@ElenaEngel_Mountain]

Duuuuude that’s so cool 🤯🥳 I have just started so I‘m in week 1-2 😅 but I’m already playing piano and guitar. However, cello is a whole new experience 😂

[@FrankMeijering]

I know right! Very different instruments but therefore it's super interesting to discover this other way of making music

[@QalinaCom]

Next you should try a wind instrument-totally different connection between the horn and your body, since it also involves breath. The easiest to blow is sax. Just make sure it's a good student Yamaha, instead of struggling with inadequate instrument. I play piano, sax bass and some drums, all fun. Also, playing different instruments, you will give your other body bits a rest. When I damage myself on one instrument, it's usually OK to play another. I also found out that you agility improves on all instrument, regardless of which one you play. What's the most amazing-is that you study for another profession-smart choice as pro musicians are usually struggling. Best of luck!