Top 5 Things to Avoid as a Beginner Cellist

For adult learners of the cello, there are a number of pitfalls that can thwart an otherwise blossoming passion for playing this wonderful instrument. Sometimes the issue is with the equipment itself, and other times the issue is with the psychological state we have when learning and practicing. In an effort to help you get off to the best possible start, here are my top 5 things to avoid when beginning your cello journey.
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Billy Tobenkin is a Los Angeles-based cellist who specializes in teaching adult learners. As a professional cellist who started playing the cello from scratch at 25, he is in a unique position to help others, like him, who found the cello later in life. He has developed strategies from his own musical journey to accelerate the learning process, and he is here to share them with you.
Please contact him at [e-mail] with any questions or comments! Or visit adultcello.com

[@jeffmarett321]

Brother, this is good advice. I started playing when I was 48 yrs. old. I am now 62. My first teacher was a piano/organ/violin teacher and got me started. I live in a small town and didn't have any other options. I only took lessons for two years, but I practiced hard and often and did okay. I recently found a new teacher in my little town and have begun taking lessons again now almost fourteen years later and it has been a revelation. She is helping me clean up some bad habits, bowing, and teaching me the fine points of reading music that I never learned the first time around. I am also playing in a local community orchestra and that is helping a great deal. Thank you!

[@christinenunes6051]

Love your clear and practical approach. I’m starting at 53, and am trying to embrace the idea of “never too late to learn something new”

[@thewamazon8813]

I’m going to be 62 in a few days. If I die, having only mastered a beautiful version of Twinkle Twinkle, mission accomplished 😅

[@laurapedraza9783]

I’m 29 and learning cello from scratch. It’s the first instrument I’ve ever tried to learn.

[@sentientdonuts]

Awesome - how is your journey going

[@Dashingdiva73]

Be childlike and fearless. I love this. That the key!

[@shirleyglover3769]

Thank you so much! I started my cello journey 5 months ago and am struggling with trying to relax my bow arm, keeping my shoulder down, and trying to bow straight. It is a challenge but I don’t want to give up!

[@bethc249]

These are great suggestions. Number one is definitely the most helpful. I started a year and a half ago at age 64. I take lessons online and have a great teacher. My biggest issue has been making sure my body isn't tensed or poorly positioned because then it does hurt. I had no idea how difficult it was to play but absolutely love it.

[@thewamazon8813]

You inspire me. ❤

[@katerinasofie6879]

I have been binge-watching your videos, love your channel. Im 25 and started with the cello last month! Im a pianist so the background helps :) Thank you for your content!

[@RICARDOMONTES12]

Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you 🙏🏽 I’m neglecting my bow hand. I play the flute, so on the cello, my ears are focused on tuning.

[@adultcello]

My pleasure! It definitely is a balancing act, especially for someone like you who already has a trained ear!

[@randlyons7278]

I applaud your insight on concentrating on bowing. There is another teacher that revolves her entire course on all the different aspects of bowing stringed instruments. You can have a child stop the string on your violin while you perform beautiful bowing, but not visa versa.

[@peedubu]

This is such good advice, Billy. You've given me great takeaways to make my cello journey easier. One suggestion to improve your vids, is can we see the bridge in your videos because your bowing is hidden and cannot be seen

[@kimkalar4725]

Thank you, Billy! Numbers 3 and 1 were aimed at me. I have to learn to "play" and to enjoy the process. The Right hand/arm are a beast! By now (age 69) you'd think I would know my only limits are those I place on myself. As an Adult Beginner, I look forward to your videos.

[@adultcello]

Thank you so much, and happy practicing and "playing"!

[@spinozareader]

You always say *exactly* what I seem to need to hear. Thank you for sharing all you well-earned wisdom with us.

[@traceyschaufele]

I was just diagnosed with a radial nerve palsy in my left arm . 😖 your comments tell me this is a perfect time to focus on my bowing while my left arm heals. Your video couldn’t have come to me at a better time!! Thank you!

[@adultcello]

That's exactly what I did while recovering from a left arm overuse injury! Thanks and wishing you a fast recovery!

[@marykarensolomon7103]

Your comment about spending too much time on the left hand as opposed to the right resonated with me. I’m latent lefty, unsure of finding the notes, so I spent a lot of time on my left hand locating the notes and practicing and not nearly as much time on my bow hand or learning how to effectively use the bow. Now I understand how important command of the bow and the right hand is!

[@adultcello]

Exactly! Your story sounds eerily familiar...haha

[@clotwich]

Exactly

[@lindsayramsbottom1859]

All 5 resonated. Many thanks! You are an inspiration!

[@Dhraan]

I started to learn the cello at 25 years old as well, started last year in October. I think I've done a great progress so far in the little time I've played (6 months basically) and my cello teacher says the same thing. I feel like I should be practicing more still and having it more consistent. I related the most with the last topic, left hand. I played electric bass since I was 10 years old so the left hand was always the easier part for me to improve on, and I should be dedicating more time to my right hand to have a more beautiful sound. Specially since I'm now slowly learning Cello pieces and not just lessons. Really motivated and excited to keep playing and your videos are so relatable and help me gain even more motivation. Thank you sir!

[@lukefeister4068]

Super helpful video dude, very grateful to have stumbled onto your channel

[@shawnabernath8673]

Hey Billy, I recently found your page and hopefully will get some good tips and ideas for starting the cello. I grew up playing the saxophone and now I am really excited to begin a string instrument. I played about 10 years ago and only made it through a few lessons before I got pregnant and had to put funds towards something else. Now I am picking it back up after my husband rented a cello from a brick and mortar near us for Christmas! I did pretty well 10 years ago and hope that it will pick up in the same progression as before. Take care this year!

[@annek5013]

Bow hand technique is everything! Your comment on producing a beautiful sound is so true. How to acquire that is a journey.!

[@antoinebouvier4502]

Amazing videos man, you're really great !

[@aaronharrel4140]

Very helpful and inspirational!

[@lauriebailey3348]

Thank you! These suggestions are great! I’m on day 8 of your 30 day course and loving it! 💕

[@adultcello]

Thanks so much and I'm thrilled to hear that you're loving the course! Yay! Hope to hear from you for the upcoming masterclass!

[@marlyswilliams9949]

For me the most humbling part of being an adult cello learner is to be working really hard on a new Suzuki piece. Fingerings and positions marked. Slow improvement. Still lousy sound. Then, tune into a KZbin posting for the same material, by a maybe 8 yr old, who confidently plays same piece well and from memory. I can practice and practice, but without the sheet music I front of me, forget it, it’s just “not there”.

[@adultcello]

I totally understand where you're coming from! Have you ever tried mental practice away from the cello? I've found that running through a piece in my head really helps strengthen my "memory" of a piece so that it's not just a physical memory. Thanks for your comment!

[@bettebeane536]

I started with a local teacher, and not good sound. I switched to Billy's Adult Cello lessons and am learning how to get good sound from my cello.

[@marjoleingompel3958]

Thanks for this video! My first teacher I had for about 6 years only concentrated on my left hand. The result was as you said, I never played out of tune, but it didn't sound like music at all. I'm happy I found a new teacher, who teaches me how to use my bow. I still have a lot of bad habits I need to unlearn, but I am making progress now.

[@corinneseaside2512]

Great advice

[@amandaduffy2324]

Omg, thank you , I'm a 57 year old viola player and have had my sights set on the cello for many years. I finally started my journey 3 weeks ago and I have had my first lesson, my teacher has made me fixate on my left hand and I'm miserable. I actually wept yesterday. I am going to just enjoy playing music today and relax into it and enjoy making a beautiful sound, hopefully the perfect left hand will come in time. I look forward to seeing more of your videos x

[@chickenlips605]

I understand--was excited to play the violin, but I just couldn't get the correct bow hold, so I gave up. The ukulele saved me!

[@roxanneqiao7511]

Thank you so much! Especially the last mistake: not giving enough attention to the bow hand! That’s me! Now I know, thank you again!

[@lilreddot1]

Everything you said made a lot of sense. For me the seeking perfection sounded exactly like me, I would be so critical of the bad sound that I make that I spent so much time going back on the same note until I get the “perfect” sound. I totally agree about being obsessed with the left hand - I would be so worried that I can’t find the right note on the fingerboard that I totally ignore the bow arm. Fortunately that has changed and I am now focused on the bow arm and somehow the left fingers will follow!

[@adultcello]

Thanks so much for your comment! That's great that you're focusing more on the bow arm, and just let that left hand follow! :)

[@a.s.clifton544]

I had things so backwards that when my teacher, Sean, asked how I could put some feeling into my playing, all I could imagine was adding vibrato, which I was not ready to do. I have had to pause my lessons while I take care of some (routine at my age) medical issues. One of the main things Sean has me working on during this hiatus is "making music on open strings." It was amazing to me how many different sounds - music - could be made on open strings just by bow variations. Adding the left hand back into this music-making is not as carefree as it could be, but neither is it as stressful as it has been in the past. Sometimes it feels/looks/sounds as if you have hidden cameras in my library/music room/humidor because everything you say and show has some bearing on my journey. You are a teacher-approved resource beyond measure. Thank you.

[@adultcello]

Thank you so much, I'm thrilled you're finding my videos helpful! And that's great that you've found some helpful things to work on during your hiatus!

[@bettebeane536]

I also play violin and it took me years to step back and really listen and then use the techniques I learned in lessons from my childhood plus observe/learn from/listen to those who could play with feeling, to begin playing with the quality of sound that produced emotion. That said, everything Billy said in this video is right on target. I am working through his Adult Cello lessons - slowly at my own speed. Learning to play the cello is an amazing journey already. Bowing especially!

[@adultcello]

Thank you so much, Bette, I really appreciate it! :)

[@corinneseaside2512]

Wish I started when I was 26 instead of 66!

[@thewamazon8813]

Really grateful to have watched this! #1. Yep, in this first week of your 30 day course, have been sending lotsa bad vibes to my struggling left hand. lol. I am concerned that I just don’t have the optimal hand anatomy to really excel at the beautiful instrument😢The positive is, I am super enjoying practicing, and the sound I’m able to create, because of your instruction! Also, progress made with finding 1st position, the right notes, feels more natural. Love your videos!

[@reneeschell4005]

I started cello (having played piano for a long time) about 3 months ago. I love your point that we can and should make beautiful sounds on the cello from the first day. I have started almost every practice session just bowing on the open strings to hear that beautiful rich sound. I can get lost in the roundness and space of those sounds. Thank you for the reminder to focus on the bowing arm and figure out what it can do for expression.

[@ariannaxr]

Thanks! Very nice tips. I really will have to focus on #1... rationally I can agree with your argumentation, but it is not what I instinctively do, because notes out of tune hurt my ears physically, whereas I am way less sensitive about bad bowing.

[@adelawu8651]

#3 and #1 are so true to me. It took me almost a year to understand how important the bow hand is. And dare to try different bowing ways, dare to make ugly sounds is the only way to improve bow hand. I just noticed my problem last week (because I just bought my first Cello, and I’m so frustrated that I can’t make the sound I want.)

[@adultcello]

Thanks so much for your comment and I'm thrilled to hear that you're daring yourself to experiment! And congrats on buying your first cello!

[@kimchallis1728]

In Canada, we have Long and McQuade - rented, then bought my awesome Yamaha there.

[@lindamiwa205]

Yes, the bow grip and bowing feels like it could do me in. Been playing about a year. Having trouble with the thumb on my bow hand. Changing my grip based on your video. Hope it fixes things because I was not headed in a good direction with the thumb. I watched your bow grip video and I think I've been doing it wrong. My teacher never analyzed my grip. I think she assumed I was doing it properly. Also unhappy with my sound. Slow practice and focusing on the bow arm is advice I will follow.

[@Cuba660]

Great video. For me, #3 for sure and #1.

[@adultcello]

Congrats on ordering your cello and starting your journey! Very exciting :)

[@Miss_Tatti]

I learned my lesson about the 1st mistake when I was doing voice (classical training) as a teenager. I would hit all the techniques and the notes perfectly and make progress over a short period. But my teacher would always tell me to "sing" and for years, I was frustrated with that. She'd always commend my technique, and I'd do really well in exams, but when I'd perform, I'd always be told I needed to sing with emotion. It wasn't until my 6th year that I understood (and it was because of heartbreak) and that I truly learned how to sing and not just make technically "perfect" sounds. There's something to be said about the joy of making a beautiful sound, so I totally agree with focusing on that first before worrying over technicalities with notes, vibrato, etc... great video!

[@monicamcallister2629]

I am 78. I have a very beautiful cello which I love. I play the piano and would love to play my cello. I've tried to find a teacher in my area to no avail. How do I receive lessons from you? I love to watch your tutorials.

[@alphabetsali]

#3 for sure. I'm less than 2 months in and my teacher is already actively telling me to stop thinking and stop halting while I'm playing because I get so tense about "making horrible sounds"

[@adultcello]

Yes! It's so hard but so rewarding to let go a bit and let yourself experiment!

[@musickind4871]

Thanks 👍

[@adultcello]

My pleasure!

[@musickind4871]

@@adultcello Very clear unambiguous explanations. Thanks for the clarity!

[@tomsaxton970]

I am a non professional volunteer cello teacher in Riobamba, Ecuador. I am 67 and have played since I was a kid . But, I am not trained as a cello teacher. I am curious what your thoughts are on taping the fingerboard for each finger in first position.

[@backtophysicsPaulina]

My teacher says the same thing as you did in this video. And one thing that she mentioned is if you feel pain, stop playing. The biggest concern is that my left hand is not “relaxed”. It’s almost like dead grab. My left forearm hurts each time I practice. I would like to know how to have a “strong” fingers without death grab 🙏🏻

[@adultcello]

Hi! I totally know what you mean. Part of the solution is learning how to sink finger weight into the string without squeezing with the thumb. Here's an older video I made with an exercise that might help with learning to sink in without tension: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ_Kn6yQptKamrM

[@annsawyer6947]

My takeaways: 1. Weekly lessons to motivate you to do daily practice 2. Practice only 30 min at a time to avoid brain fatigue and injuries 3. Focus on right bow hand when playing 4. Relax and enjoy playing. Make it fun!

[@shineyboots]

i play some bass guitar but i now have issues with my plucking fingers due to some mild arthritis. As such i 'm keen to learn the cello as i can keep my right hand fingers fairly steady on the bow without having to flex them. . I have a fair idea of where the notes are for my left hand so i'm looking forward to seeing how you could help guide me along this rocky road.!!! I.m 5ft 7ins so do you reckon a 3/4 would be good to start with. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@tacopeel7941]

I like your philosophy. I just have a question. Does your course include the weekly hands-on lessons you're describing?

[@nicoleruckser]

I love: "Allow yourself to play." Thank you

[@flowclapz6516]

Is the Tower Strings Entertainer cello from fiddlershop a good cello for beginners?

[@matthewmcdermit8744]

Focusing on the left hand, # 1, oh, yeah -- guilty as charged. . . . I do have another one though that caused me about 8-12 weeks of frustration at the start. That is, I had the end-pin extended way too far. To my credit, I started playing around with the cello on my own (#3), more specifically, the end-pin. After shortening it about four or five inches, the cello tucked into the traditional cello position. It was a "V8" moment for sure. To this day I am surprised that my cello teacher didn't catch it. It seemed so simple, but I had to discover it.

[@bettebeane536]

Thought I'd add a comment on a thing or 2 that can, as Billy said, "render a cello unplayable." I bought a cello that was half price from a local shop that in the past, only sold violins. I soon learned what the big discount meant. I had to press the strings so hard that it caused pain. I took the cello to a shop I trust for repairs. Turns out the fingerboard had a dip and the grooves in the nut were not deep enough. Repairs fixed the problem. Oh, and also noted was the soundpost was not correct - a tad shallow. That's a significant thing! Then I figured out that a couple of strings were dead (did not vibrate enough). Cello was made in 2018 and had never been played or owned by anyone else. So I bought a new set. That fixed that problem. So...$376 later (repairs + strings), I have a very playable cello with a good ringing tone and sound. Buying a first cello? Get one from a shop that normally sells and has a good reputation for its cello offerings, and offers rentals before purchase. (Google same - plenty of rentals available).

[@adultcello]

Thanks for sharing your experience, that's a perfect example of equipment that, left unfixed, could ruin someone's learning experience!

[@Fire91ful]

My bridge fell. I stopped playing for like a year thinking it would be expensive. I inquired at the store where I purchased it. They fixed it for free in 5min. Oh boy I lost all my newbie gains.

[@audrey8100]

hi..what size of cello do you use? or what size suit a beginner

[@adultcello]

Hi! I use a standard 4/4 cello, and honestly the size of the cello you use should be more a function of your physical attributes than what stage of the learning process you are in. These days I see more and more people with smaller than average hands, arms, or height considering a well-made 7/8 cello instead of a standard 4/4. Hope that helps!

[@Bklyncello1]

Not sure this will help Audrey, but I am 60 years old and took up cello for the first time last year. I am short (less than 5 feet tall) and my arms are proportionate with small stature. I learned on a 4/4 cello, but after about 6 months, both my teacher and I thought I might do better on a 3/4 cello. I now rent that and it has made a WORLD of difference to me. It’s absolutely perfect and I no longer struggle to reach the A string!

[@bettygroner8902]

Bowing! I scratch and recoil! Now I will focus on bowing noises. And will look at my right arm.

[@adultcello]

I hope this video helps! Thank you for your comment!

[@kristymcnamee1792]

I clicked on the link for the course but I don’t believe that was your course that it took me to. Is something up with that link?

[@adultcello]

Hi Kristy! Thank you for letting me know; the link should be working now.