How to Play the Cello

Posted on September 17th, 2009 by Marck

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The low baritone sound of a cello brings together the many instruments in a full-piece orchestra. The cello can also be played on its own for a recital or a concert performance. It will take a lot of practice before you become an accomplished and celebrated cellist, but here are some tips to get you started.

Ways to Play the Cello

Like many instruments in the string section, the cello can be played in many different ways. As a bass instrument, the purpose of the cello is to give weight and body to a melody. When played on its own, the cello can give a stirring, moving sound.

There are two ways to play the cello:

With a bow. The bow of a cello is similar to the bow of a violin, only that it’s longer. The best bowstrings are almost always made with horsehair.
Plucking. Like the double-bass, the cello may also be plucked, but it doesn’t have the same deep reverberations as other plucked bass instruments.

Cello Lessons

The best way to learn the cello is to take lessons at a music school. Some colleges and universities may offer classical music lessons, and you may opt to study the cello from there. Music schools also offer cello lessons. The courses typically run for four to six months, although it takes years or even a lifetime of practice to become a virtuoso with the cello.

Learn the Basics

The cello can be played in the same way as the violin, but the differences between the two instruments go beyond the way they are held:

Notes and scales. The tone, pitch, and rhythm of the cello is much lower than that of the violin. Scales help you to play the instrument on a proper note. For a full-piece orchestra or chamber music, keep in mind that the cello is meant to be an accompaniment, although there are some pieces that include cellos as the focal point.
Études are short pieces that you can use for practice. The étude is often more complicated than the arpeggios and other scales used by beginners. Once you get the notes and scales right, try your hand at some études you can get from a composition book or from your music teacher.

It takes a lot of dedication and skill to get the sound of the cello right. A lot of practice, and a love and passion for music, are two things that can help you become a cellist of critical acclaim.