Need help choosing an instrument

Pandoralex

New member
I’m 36 years old and always wanted to play an instrument, but couldn't afford it when I was young. 3 years ago I took up piano and violin. Violin was too high pitched for me so I quit after a year. Last year I started learning the cello. I've played piano for 3 years and Cello for 1 year. I'm also a school teacher, so it's been very hard to learn 2 instruments at the same time. I enjoy playing the piano, but I would like to learn an instrument that can be in a beginner orchestra. That's why I took up the cello. I love listening to Cello music, which can actually be discouraging because I clearly don't sound as good. Flute is also something that I'm interested in learning. I know it's treble clef like the violin, but the higher pitch doesn't bother me on the flute. I'm trying to decide which to choose. I can only learn 1 instrument at a time for now. I'm leaning towards staying with the Cello and quitting the piano. I will still play piano on my own, but not as much. I'm just concerned that I'll find out later that I'm terrible at the cello and will never be able to learn to play it well, wasting my time. Any thoughts?
 

Albert

New member
Do not be discouraged by slow learning. Non-fretted instruments are harder than keyed or fretted instruments. I started learning organ in 1965 and am still learning today. Also, you should never go by the sound of your instrument. Two factors are in the mix: the quality of the instrument and the technical ability of the player. I don't like Stradivari cellos or violins, myself, I find them too "screechy".

I have an acquaintance who plays a Guarneri cello. I have a CD of YoYo Ma playing his Strad, and a home made CD of my acquaintance playing the Gruarneri on a Bach unaccompanied cello concerto. Is he as good a player as YoYo Ma? He's very good indeed, but not in YoYo's class. Does my acquaintance's recording sound better? Absolutely: I'll take the Guarneri, thank you very much. It has a rich sound that Strad's just don't have.

Somehow, I doubt you are playing anything in either class. I have a friend whom I met when she was 20 and in a school orchestra. The first few times I heard her play, she had a cello that she described as "plastic". She sounded just OK. After that she had gotten a "real" one, and sounded quite good.

Go for the instrument you love. Don't give up. You will not be a decent player in year one, for sure. In year two, better and improving all the time.

Best wishes on your musical journey.
 

Pandoralex

New member
Thank you for the encouragement. I'm renting a very cheap cello, so that probably isn't helping the sound. Eventually I'll use the money from the rental to buy a better cello.
 

Ella Beck

Member
Are you still learning the cello? In the abstract, I'd say that the piano was a 'better bet' for an amateur player, and very useful for a school teacher. But if you love playing with other people and there are local orchestras you could join, that makes it very different.

Hope wherever you are, you're enjoying music in your life.
 

mideast

New member
Mostly, the selection of instrument depends on your choice and mood. It's not like selecting some easier one or the difficult one. Whatever sounds good to you, just go for it. If you want to have a look over various available instruments, you can visit www.mid-east.com.pk with a lot of instruments to chose from and for further information, can also see the blog over there.
 
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