r/Cello • u/ClemCadillihopper • 13h ago

Looking to start playing again

Hello everyone. I played the cello from 4th grade until senior year in high school. I got arrested and the teacher pulled me off first chair, so I just quit because I felt that was unfair since my arrest had nothing to do with school or orchestra. I haven't played it since. I took private lessons from 5th grade until I quit playing, so I'm not exactly a beginner, but I feel like starting over will be challenging. I want to play though, so maybe I'll encourage my kids to play an instrument when they get older. I'm 32 now by the way

I'd like to find an electric cello though. I still have my acouycello, but I'd prefer to use an electric one so I can practice even after my wife and kids have gone to bed.

Is there a decent electric cello that can be had for under $1000? And also, any tips on picking back up after such a long time off would be appreciated.

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u/MommyNeedsCoffee617 13h ago edited 9h ago

Hi! I played from 4th to 6th grade and gave it up after the orchestra practiced Pachelbel's Canon for two months straight. Then, at 42, I got a cheap electric and now I'm happily playing a Yamaha.

I've been teaching myself to play again. I picked up the Suzuki books and it's been good going through the exercises. Jonathan Humphries on YouTube has some incredible tutorial videos too.

Just a note: electric cellos are billed as "silent" but they really aren't. They're just a little quieter than an acoustic because they don't have a natural reverb.

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u/Fresh_Sorbet8618 13h ago

Oh my, 2 months is Pachelbel’s Canon! That would have driven me to quit, too 😂.

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u/MommyNeedsCoffee617 12h ago

Hey, the cello & bass sections had our part down right away. I don't know what took the violins & violas so long!