WATCH THIS before you BUY or RENT a CELLO - a Beginners Cello Lesson | Basics of Cello

[@CelloCoach]

When shopping online for a cello, know that no matter what the marque is, is originates in China or sometimes Eastern Europe. You need to look at materials used as the first indicator of quality. This translates into genuine ebony pegs and fingerboard. This must be listed and must be 100% authentic and guaranteed. I cannot stress the matter any more. Try to avoid all coloured cellos, so a nice wood varnish is important. Now, the wood used in the body is also important. Know that maple and spruce are the best grades (my Italian cello is made of both) so aim to buy a cello made of those wood grains. Try to avoid pine: the wood is inexpensive but soft and will warp the body over time. Everything else can be upgraded afterwards, so factory strings, tailpiece and endpin, even the bridge, can all be changed by you and your luthier.

[@ПапаСталин-с5г]

What do you think about the Cecile cco 500 cello?

[@annabarham155]

Jonathan Humphries z

[@CelloCoach]

Папа Сталин It is a good cello to begin on!

[@fredfonseca6034]

Hi Jonathan!! True story I'm would like share. My wife love the Cello and since I'm a Saxophone player I thought how great would be for her to learn hs cello and maybe we both play music together, right. I gave her the surprise of her life. I got her a Cello for Christmas. Then she came across your videos and we both watched ur videos. For me as a support and even help her understanding the music sheets and helping to learn to read music. You made a video of the so beautiful electric Cello and your Luthier ( which by the way I thought it is one one the coolest video cuz Luthier won't be ok with electric Cello ( heresie !!! Lol) I loved the sound everything about Not on k y the Cello but the Electric Cello!! ) well that week I ended up Purchasing an Electric Cello!!!!! Lol!! Now we both ( My wife and I ) are learning to play!!! Thank You For online videos!!! By far my wife and I truly take advantage of the great info and tutorials!!! Listen I been playing my Saxophone for 12 plus years and I still love my Saxophone. But my lord Cello is such a Sublime tone and just Beautiful and learning to play Cello with my wife it's a even greater bonus!!!

[@davidhonaker]

I lived in Pernambuco (Brasil). Back then, I'd never have guessed that some 40 years later I'd have a bow made from wood from there.

[@CelloCoach]

David Honaker the best wood for bows, tensile and low ductility

[@davidhonaker]

Jonathan Humphries My cello days are over. (Really, never much got started.) But that's okay, musicians like you keep a cello in my heart.

[@Paincakeness]

Haha I thought the same thing when I saw Pernambuco! I served a mission there

[@davidguthrie3895]

Never knew about different rosin for different instruments.... It's details like this that makes all the difference

[@CelloCoach]

Yes!

[@djsullivan9045]

Ok, I am an older (Senior) Cellist Novice. So glad I viewed this Video first. I knew some of these tips --- painted cellos a very No-no! However listening to this twice, I now understand more about Bow selection and rosin as well as good to great strings! Thanks much!

[@CelloCoach]

Anytime, DJ

[@lielbn109]

I'll just sell my house and rent a cello

[@CelloCoach]

No need to, we have Amazon!

[@ARMYStrongHOOAH17]

Sorry your house is only worth $300 😂

[@kristalcallator2806]

Your curls fit your facial structure very well. Thanks for your tips.

[@Flightofphenomena]

Thank you!

[@CelloCoach]

You're welcome!

[@CinnamonIce]

Your personality and delivery is amazing, very enjoyable :) Best of luck on your journey!!

[@CelloCoach]

Thanks, Dane!

[@izabelle_8972]

I bought my cello on a violin studio for 25000 SEK and its my everything it was so good👌 the sounds like magiiiiic 😻💓🎻

[@CelloCoach]

That must be a good cello! Your first cello (?) and a quality one too!

[@Mr.Buttons]

Started playing cello at my school. We have remtals at the school and the personnel are very great at recommending equipment. Atleast the ones you recommend are the same as they recommended! Thanks i really do appreciate it.

[@sopia1992]

I'm thinking of playing cello for my schools orchestra as well, and ive never played an instrument before, how was your experience learning?

[@Mr.Buttons]

@@sopia1992 i just finished my first year, once you get a song or something fun to work to, you can really feel the progress, i love the cello and I'm looking forward to learning more! You should really give it a shot.

[@sopia1992]

@@Mr.Buttons thank you so much!! im probably gonna rent one soon :)

[@Mr.Buttons]

@@sopia1992 Awesome to hear! Best of luck.

[@ArcaneWeasel]

Fabulous and informative. Thank you for taking the time to provide all this valuable information.

[@CelloCoach]

It is my pleasure, Kelly

[@studentoftheword6115]

Oh Your Fantastic. Became a Subscriber Right away!!! Also you did a very good job in the audio recording of your voice. I think your advice is much better and clearer than all that I have heard.!!! I have to take a peek to see what else you talk about.

[@helen6183]

I got orchestra this year and planning on getting a cello 😁

[@CelloCoach]

Good things

[@bogodarov]

Thank you for advice! I've got rent cello before new year and I like it so much instead of it's for beginners. I've already wrote a track with cello. It's in my channel.

[@CelloCoach]

Cool

[@Swiftray]

4:44 yep i got the middle one LOL ... still satisfied with König and Meyer, it stands for high quality in Germany.

[@CelloCoach]

Good for you!

[@asherwade]

WoW-!!!, ...where were you and your really clear information, 40yrs ago-? I’m really close friends with my luthier now, for 32yrs, and earlier on, tried to make an ‘addition’ of cello to my already violin and viola instrument-playing; but, having now played violin for 48yrs, I can tell ‘good’ advice from ‘’empty but sweet’’ advice: Your’s is Excellent, ...I especially liked the part at the beginning of, ‘’buy a cello that looks like ‘wood’-!!! {8~)

[@djsullivan9045]

Looking forward to the Cello Lessons videos too!

[@CelloCoach]

Happy to have you here!

[@trevorstolz8580]

I have been looking for a good discussion of how easy/hard it is for a violinist to learn the cello. There seems to be a dearth of information. I am not a cellist but do play violin at an early advanced level. I'd like to encourage my children to puruse music and thus, I'd like a cello "for fun", although I'm going to focus on violin. Obviously, the bow of a violin is more or less paralell to the floor so the weight on the string is constantly changing as you bow from the frog to the tip. I wonder how hard is to learn cello for a violinist. Any thoughts ?

[@CelloCoach]

Not hard at all. I am teaching a violinist now here in France. She has adapted very quickly to the regimen and physical differences. I suspect the inverse is harder, for the awkward twisting of the arm is painful for even myself. Cello is must more ergonomic and comfortable to play.

[@tangerineperfume]

Thank you so much for your helpful videos, and for helping make cello more accessible to so many people! I've been wanting to learn this instrument my whole life, but I always thought it would have to be one of the $3000+ instruments, even for beginners, which I could never afford. The only luthier in my area unfortunately charges $100 per month for a rental and does not apply any of that toward a later purchase, so it seems like buying a cello would be the best option for me. Do you (or more likely, your students) have any experience with Paititi cellos, by any chance? They seem to check all of the criteria you mentioned in your video (ebony fingerboard + pegs, solid wood body), but I have not been able to find reviews on these cellos anywhere.

[@john-giovannicorda3456]

Jonathan. I play piano and write music. I last played the cello 48 years ago. I am planning to rent a cello soon for $50 bucks month, if only to just hear the sound as I play it. Maybe I'll keep it for 3 months or so. For many years I also played the electric bass [Fender] off and on, and my dad played the acoustic bass in the Hollywood studios 50 years ago, so I have at least a rudimentary knowledge of string instruments. I recall as a boy that trying out the violin and viola bothered me as the left hand had to always have that rather sever bend at the wrist. For the life of me I couldn't see how anyone *could play a violin!* The cello just seemed a more natural hand position. Is that just a peculiarity that all string players live with, in that some hands are simply better "built for cello" and some are better "built for violin and viola? Anyhow, thanks for your channel here.

[@CelloCoach]

You are very welcome John-Giovanni

[@arisgryphon8214]

This was really helpful. I was able to find everything on amazon for close to the same price you mentioned. Thank you so much!

[@CelloCoach]

Yay! Glad to help you, Aris. Cello gear can be costly, so if this video help you save some money, then it is all worth while. :-)

[@gempidge]

Thanks Jonathan. Very nice video, super helpful

[@CelloCoach]

You are welcome, Tamhas B!

[@maryunknown1300]

Thank you so much! ☺️ Your videos are amazing 🙏😃😃

[@CelloCoach]

You're welcome 😊

[@sandimiller5187]

New cellist here. I can't afford to buy a full set of strings. If like to get new strings, advice on which string to purchase first?

[@CelloCoach]

Take it easy on the string purchases, Start with Jargar mediums, because once you open them, they cannot be returned.

[@bramsrockhopper3377]

Jargar strings are definitely good, and worth the extra. Not expensive though so don’t panic. I’d start with your top ‘A’ string first, as it’s the one that suffers most in tone if it’s a cheap string - it can sound very scratchy and tinny. Gradually move down the strings as you can afford to replace them.

[@TheBaldbarian]

this was very helpful! thank you for the information!

[@CelloCoach]

You're welcome, colin.

[@kenball8526]

Thank you, great job.

[@CelloCoach]

You are welcome, Ken

[@susanjohnson5692]

I'm considering on buying this cello on Amazon what is your opinion on this? Hom-dis 4/4 Acoustic Cello + Case + Bow + Rosin Natural Color Beautiful Varnish Finishing

[@lelechim]

Haha can I use my violin bow on a cello? I'm 30 years old now but when I was in high school, I was pretty serious about the violin and spent several hundred dollars on a good quality bow. I haven't played in years but I plan to again once my new house is ready and I have more space and mental clarity. Clearly, I'm a violin player interested in learning how to play the cello. I've tried my friends' cellos a few times at school but that's it. While I'd need to of course learn how to navigate a new instrument, I know how a good string instrument is supposed to be constructed and sound like, so I hesitate to buy a true student cello.

[@CelloCoach]

Hello there! It's nice to have someone resist the Dark Side of the Orchestra (hehe). May I suggest you rent a cello from your local luthier? And maybe sell the bow for the funds, because a violin bow cannot be user on a cello.

[@lelechim]

@@CelloCoach I wouldn't want to sell my lovely violin bow, so I guess I'll need to shell out for a cello bow! I'm not sure if there's an actual luthier in my area, but I know there are a few musical instrument stores that rent out string instruments.

[@GALOKk1]

Thank you so much!

[@nathaliabarnes6251]

Thank you so much for your videos! I am looking at buying a cello, but live in a very rual area so will need to buy online. Is there a brand in particular or a cello you would suggest?

[@TheNkui]

I have a Hercules folding stand and I love it. But I found it at the thrift store for 10 bucks.

[@CelloCoach]

sweet

[@the_one_dreaming]

all the informations on the internet is so confusing. this was the first real "help". starting my journey hopefully soon :)

[@CelloCoach]

Good things

[@seonaghjedlicka3570]

I got a cello giving to me didnt realise thw price for it is 2k. Guess i have a good cello

[@randlyons7278]

Sounds like strait shoot'n. Look forward to checking out your 1st notes videos if you make them. I'm 65 and wanting to dabble in the cello as a muse. I won't be able to afford $500 at one shot so I'm investigating the options. I may be stuck with looking at something like a Cecilio cco-100 or 300. The company claims they wish to sell people that cannot afford better a good instrument for very low cost. We'll see. For now let's have a peak at you "new person" videos.

[@ophixl]

is it a good idea to buy one made of pine, spruce and maple? I'm going to start playing it and where I live there are no places to rent them

[@luisanamarsh]

Hello Jonathan, could you please help me with the rosin. Just a few minutes before coming across your video I came across an article saying that most pirastro rosins work on violin, viola and cello. When I was studying with Maestro Horacio Contreras he advised me red cello pirastro rosin, and I used this for my first few years in college, he didn't tell me this but I always had the idea that the darker the rosin the harder the grip. According to a pirastro rosin chart goldflex rosin is one of the harder one's and they said it's good for violin, viola and cello. I bought this rosin by emergency 3 years ago in Venezuela due to the economic crisis and used it until the last drop, which means I'm out of rosin and looking to buy one. Have you ever tried goldflex? I honestly felt it didn't have a grip like the red cello pirastro rosin I used before...

[@CelloCoach]

Go with what you like best, Luisana. I like Piastro Oliv Evah personally. Having played the red colophane your refer to, I agree it is not for me. Your style of play, repertoire and string/bow hair combination will decide which colophane is right for you. My counsel : go with what you know.

[@blackmania599]

which cello should I buy ( online ) I never touched a cello before

[@dotta4763]

May I ask you what you think about Eastman young master cellos ? I’m a starter by the way with some music knowledge background

[@joanofsharc]

If I did want a painted Cello, do you know where I might go to find ones that still sound okay? I'm a sucker for grey

[@neurospicyplus]

Where did you get your cello?

[@CelloCoach]

Cremona, Italy

[@Kenji1685]

Great videos! Where did you get that cute little bow? :)

[@CelloCoach]

Thanks, Ken. I bought the little bow from my friends at Kamimoto Strings in San Jose, CA.

[@TrollCompany]

Ebony is on the Red list in many country's. Since I don't want to take part in species extinction, are there other options you would recommend instead?

[@zbj4240]

I was looking to buy a white Cello, partly for decoration, but also because I wanted to learn how to play one. If I can ask, what's wrong with painted Cello's, how does that hurt the sound? If that's the case, would you recommend I just have that one for decor, and another one for actually playing?

[@CelloCoach]

sure buy one for decor and another (from you local luthier) for your learning

[@sofiamachado2064]

I would never guess that the bow wood is from Pernambuco :0 brasil ta que ta

[@zuzana676]

Jonathan, are you using also gold plated strings? Do they sound different?

[@misterchristopher8857]

Thank you for the balanced approach in this tutorial. Making good decisions takes time, education and good advice.

[@CelloCoach]

Anytime, Mister Christopher

[@fuchq]

Hey Jonathan, what brand of strings would you recommend for Hidersine Vivente full size Cello?

[@CelloCoach]

Jargar Mediums, D'darrio Preludes or Thomastik Dominants, and in that order

[@davidsanme1715]

Hi greetings from México. I am a begginer 66 years old. I want to Buy a cello. Do you recomend the Yamaha brand? Thanks for your youtube channel.

[@CelloCoach]

Yes, Yamaha makes good electric cellos

[@HandleWithCare-k8g]

I thought you were going to say "how to get more cello for your jell-o".

[@314Tesla]

Hi there ty for sharing this video ... I want to start learning the instrument but I need help on choosing the proper one. I am about your size so what size should I go? And if u can recommend like 2-3 good instruments around 700-800 dollars. Thank you in advance

[@CelloCoach]

Honestly, with an initial outlay of 800$US you can buy a good beginner cello. Do you have a luthier near you? Where do you live?

[@314Tesla]

@@CelloCoach Hi i live in Athens , Greece. There is a store here that has the next cellos: yamaha, Stagg, Strunal, Giuliani, Ziegler. Not the luthier you suggested. there is a link below that can take you to their store. Anyway i really appreciate the reply :) www.nakas.gr/cat/mousika-organa-egxorda-violontsela#&&priceFrom=347%2c00&currentSort=3&fieldValues=&priceMax=1399%2c00&currentBrowseMode=2&priceMin=347%2c00&manufacturers=&flags=&currentPage=1&priceTo=1399%2c00&fieldValueTexts=&currentItems=60

[@studentoftheword6115]

Can you put a link in your Below where to buy the strings and Rosen? You also can get a percentage for every purchase people make from you. Amazon etc..

[@CelloCoach]

Just began that program, and it is good for the channel, yes!

[@IAM-pq3dz]

This guy is awesome.

[@CelloCoach]

Thank you

[@hellomyfriends9740]

What about a cello stand?

[@TheMnimatt]

Is Cremona SC-320 a decent brand and Model?

[@hebahelal_]

Your thoughts on D'addario prelude strings?

[@dhoffheimerj]

Excellent lesson.

[@nitsua803]

Thank you

[@rsorin]

Is there a problem in the sound quality if the back plate of the cello is made out of 3 combined parts instead of 2? I mostly see 2 and rarely one, so I figured 3 should be a bit weird.

[@CelloCoach]

it depends on how the plates are assembled. I once played an Amati cello that had a broken back. It didn't play well.

[@BarbaraO-to6ph]

help! do you have any experience with Snow cellos or jay haide? the ones i believe made in china then some luthiers do a little finessing to them? my price range is 3.5k-4k, so not ever going to be able to afford a "good," cello, help!

[@CelloCoach]

Hello Buckwheat Honey! Snow I have yet to experience, Jay Haide I know. And you are correct, both are Chinese trade cellos. The Haide cellos are the shop brand of Ifshin Violins in El Cerrito, California. They have taken steps to guarantee a "premium" cello, which though their due diligence has retained a robust resale value in the whole market. The name is recognizable but truth be told, their cellos are just like other premium Chinese trade cellos. They are all made in the same factories, with luthiers other than Ifshin also laying claim to theirs being the best. You are also correct, that Ifshin "finesses" the Haide cellos, and for this extra care, their cellos are consistently of good quality. In reality, whether the cello is from El Cerrito or Paris or Berlin, all originate in China and arrive at their various retailers who "spruce them up" with whatever line of marketing it takes for you to buy. If I were you, compare German and Romanian cellos to the Chinese ones, especially at your price point.

[@Homerojay79]

Useful stuff.

[@CelloCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thephantomvenom7315]

What about a black cello bow how does that compare to an original bow

[@CelloCoach]

Could you be more specific?

[@thephantomvenom7315]

What is the difference between black horse hair and white horse hair on a bow

[@thephantomvenom7315]

Any reponse?

[@hms3769]

Do you have any affiliate links set up? It would be helpful for us considering a purchase and I believe earn you a little money.

[@CelloCoach]

I added them today, thank you

[@Haoyue]

Is there a particular cello you would recommend for adult beginners? I’ve been doing research on them, but there’s quite a lot that I’m not too sure where to start.

[@CelloCoach]

I recommend visiting your luthier first.

[@AbiEverAfter]

Another great vid! subscribing ! :)

[@CelloCoach]

Thanks Abi

[@espresshoe9253]

what about if a maple and spruce cello is laminated? i wanna make sure i don’t buy a plywood cello

[@CelloCoach]

It is unlikely plywood is used (too heavy and does not bend) As a rule : the thicker the laminate, the lesser quality the wood.

[@espresshoe9253]

Jonathan Humphries thank you!

[@Yourmom-xu9ys]

My wire stand is actually really really sturdy

[@CelloCoach]

You are quite lucky, though I would be reticent on leaving an 12.9" iPad Pro and tuner and bow on a wire stand.

[@benwu9480]

What trusted cello brands should i look at first before buying

[@CelloCoach]

Good question. When shopping online for a cello, know that no matter what the marque is, is originates in China or sometimes Eastern Europe. You need to look at materials used as the first indicator of quality. This translates into genuine ebony pegs and fingerboard. This must be listed and must be 100% authentic and guaranteed. I cannot stress the matter any more. Second, avoid all coloured cellos, so a nice wood varnish is important. Now, the wood used in the body is also important. Know that maple and spruce are the best grades (my Italian cello is made of both) so aim to buy a cello made of those wood grains. Try to avoid pine: the wood is inexpensive but soft and will warp the body over time. Everything else can be upgraded afterwards, so factory strings, tailpiece and endpin, even the bridge, can all be changed by you and your luthier.

[@sofiamachado2064]

Btw loved the video, Helped a lot

[@CelloCoach]

You're welcome, Sofia

[@anthonysantomauro8939]

Don't know if you'll answer, but what size is that cello? Is that a 4/4? It looks so small.

[@CelloCoach]

It's a full size copy of Ex-Mara

[@0311shep]

Ebony is not a must and frankly is getting more difficult to find. Ebony and rosewood are slow growing tropical woods and in many places are now protected. A beginner can learn just fine with a hard maple finger board and boxwood fittings.

[@zuzana676]

Great video Jonathan! to be honest, my dream was to own a WHITE cello :) When I told this to the teachers, they looked at me, like I was a fool :P

[@sarajamesjulien7397]

What cello sells for 300$?

[@jaredangulo8961]

No sabía que Luisito comunica vende chelos. 😱😅😅😂

[@bclew5060]

Too late

[@CelloCoach]

Did you buy or rent?

[@bclew5060]

I rented

[@justcallmee9795]

IS THERE A GREAT BRAND ON amazon for electric cellos

[@CelloCoach]

Yes! NS Design NXT or if you want to "splash the cash" buy a NS Design CR4 / CR5 / CR6

[@Schmissgesicht]

100 $ for 4 strings? for a beginner?

[@CelloCoach]

Yes, for a proper set of strings, one must spend money. Cello strings are nothing like guitar strings. Just the high string can costs more than that best set of acoustic guitar strings. A full set of Magnacores runs 400US$ but we haven't even come close to the prices of goat, sheep and bovine strings from Morocco. Just one string is 150€! A full set of goat strings will be close to 800€! For strings that last only one year!

[@lelechim]

It's an easy way to upgrade an otherwise below average cello!

[@AtticusStount]

I'd suggest playing the viola instead, as there are too few players: greater demand by orchestras.

[@Flinabin]

I wanted to learn the viola, but I find it too heavy on my shoulder to play, so I'm considering the cello that stand on the floor...

[@musicgaines7170]

Dude

[@nenntmichbond]

Bro

[@Loungemermaid]

What the hell was that tiny ass bow?

[@xpert_7252]

Say goodbye to your fancy pardon buco bows because of the amazon forest fire

[@flawlessvic]

False. The fire is typical for this time of year and the news is widely overblown to fit a particular narrative.

[@xpert_7252]

A fire in the amazon rainforest this dig is not normal at all.

[@kynanomeara8477]

do a real video now

[@CelloCoach]

ok

[@USA4thewin]

Ok why would we as beginners even thinking of playing a cello ?

[@Flinabin]

I love the deep sound...

[@USA4thewin]

@@Flinabin after a review I edit my comment,, the Cello is a beautiful instument