Hi everyone,

I have been playing the flute ( for about 5 years ), and wanted to take up a new instruemtn ( particually cello ), and was wondering is it hard for me to switch from flute to cello. And how many hours/mins., do you recommend I try? How much do cellos cost? Can I self teach myself? Should I try the cello or another woodwind instrument? Thank in advance.

-Flutefreak

I have been playing the cello for over five years (and I just recently started the alto saxophone to play in jazz band), so I will do my best to answer your question. There are many things to consider when thinking about taking up a string instrument-especially the cello. It is radically different from the flute (well, OBVIOUSLY!) You`ll have to learn where to put your fingers, how to pluck and then later how to pull the bow across the strings (and the names of the strings!), how to read bass clef, and countless other techniques.

I assume you are an experienced musician, so rhythms and such shouldn`t give you much trouble. However, realize that you`ll have to invest a LOT of time if you want to be a fairly decent cellist. The fact that you already are a musican helps (it did when I did the opposite of you- starting a band instrument after having played an orchestra instrument for many years), but only to a certain extent. If you are willing to devote many hours to the cello, then I say go for it. Find a good private teacher and rent or purchase a student-model cello (cellos, by the way can range from $500-thousands of dollars, depending on the quality you are looking for. You could probably pick up a low-end cello at a used instrument sale for $250 (but only RARELY, but if you want an instrument that you`ll actually enjoy playing and one that you will use for many years to come in your musical career, and you are positive you will stick with the cello, then you shoudl probably make a decent investment in the instrument. My cello was a steal of a deal- $901! and it has a WONDERFUL sound and is just PERFECT! Oh, and it came with a hard case...even better!
I`m not sure how much help this was...but it`s your final decision. Woodwind instruments ROCK, and yes, they would take less of your time to learn how to play, obviously, but it you want a challenge, and a chance to diversify your musical instruments, pick up the cello. It`ll be the best decision you ever made. And honestly, it`s not THAT hard of an instrument to learn to play if you have the determination, time, and dedication (I`m not saying you`ll have to devote like your whole life to learning the instrument...the amount of time you spend depends solely on how good you wish to get!)
I wish you the best of luck!! Don`t hesitate to email me if you have any more questions or just want to talk! (I`m going on vacation on Monday, so if you email me after that, I won`t reply until Sat...)

Thank you very much!!!!! I have been trying to do different instruments, for some time and I finially picked the cello. Thank you once again.

-Flutefreak