The one that scares you the most.
Lynne xxx

Cellos have thicker strings so be prepared to get calluses and hurting fingers. In my opinion violin players don't have to stretch their fingers as far to reach notes because they have shorter strings.

Also consider that violins usually get the melody parts in orchestra and are cheaper if you're comparing an equal quality cello and violin.

But of course this is all from a violinist's point of view. The cello's a very beautiful instrument so go with whatever YOU want.

Cellos have thicker strings so be prepared to get calluses and hurting fingers.

You want callus? Try playing the guitar. Cello callus is nothing. If your fingers hurt playing the cello, a Steinway grand would probably kill them. Cello string tension is nothing.

Thumb position on the cello (until you're used to it) is another matter entirely.

Go to the music store and try both of them out and see if that will help you with your decision.

I am a violinist, but I love cellos. I would love to learn how to play that instrument also but I also play flute/piccolo and I don't have the time or money to add any more instruments.

Either one isn't a bad choice, but as mentioned a nice quality cello will be more expensive than an equally nice violin. You will also play more melody lines on violin than on cello.

If you haven't, definitely go try both of them out

Cello! cello is funn :D I play the cello and it is quite easy to pick up (:

i play the violin and cello might be easier but playing the violin is very awarding, plus you can play both standing up and sitting down! lol, oh and it's more portable. idk it would take a long time to learn both but if you have perseverance there's no chame in that! u should learn the violin first since it is harder and it'll be easier to slid into the cello (because i know somebody who did exactly that). hope i helped!

there is a wider range of music for the violin and its more portable. but cello i think is harder then violin, so if you start with cello and then switch to violin, you would probably have an easier time then if you go from violin to cello, which is what i did.

i am a violinist. i believe that once you learn violin, it will be very easy to learn another string instrument. violin music tends to be more demanding in categories such as rhythmic complexity and such, and many people say that violinists who switch to other stringed instruments are better at the other instruments than the people who started on that specific instrument. as for a choice between instruments, i would choose the cello. it has a deep, romantic sound to it that is hard to tame, but if you do it right, it is wonderfull.

I guess you must be pretty confused still, considering such a wide range of answers. And here's another one!

I started on the cello and have been playing for a (reasonably) long time. I absolutely love it and wouldn't ever ever stop...ever. In orchestra practises I have had a go on my friend's violin and it is really quite different. I'm not sure I'd be able to play the violin (with ease) as my hands are big and you have to have a considerably smaller gap between your fingers for violin.
I think when you play the cello you are in a more natural position. Also, getting dynamics for cello is quite easy because you use both your arms and legs to get forte, and for piano you obviously play lighter. I noticed that it isn't so easy for violins to use dynamics because they don't really have much to push on, but then again it could just be the people I play with (not that they are bad or anything).

I, being a cello player, would obviously say to play the cello - just because. I get so much enjoyment out of it, and even when you are a beginner you can get a really nice sound and emotion in music, which only grows as you get more advanced. For violins I think there is a bit longer before your begginer can actually stop it from being squeaky and play beautiful melodies. Violins are lovely, but I would much rather play a cello no suprise.

I'd listen to more cello/violin music and see which one makes you feel 'I have got to play that' And if you get that for both...take up one and when you think you have 'got it sorted' (like all the notes of first position and open strings, where they are on the stave etc) then you could start the other. Starting both at the same time could get confusing if you aren't used to either. Plus, if you learn one, and learn the other later you will probably progress much quicker.

I started double bass in September (having played cello for about 5 years now) and I am hoping to be doing Grade 3 in a month or two... it really helped having the experience from cello. Now you don't have to wait as long, but it certainly makes it easier. There is a girl in sixth form at my school and she played trumpet (Grade 7 or 8 I think she is) and took up cello in September and is doing her Grade 5 this week.

I hope this long comment helped, or has it just confused you more?

Oh wait i forgot the difference between cello and violin bows.
Cello Bow: Shorter than violin, thicker bit of wood, more horse hair. And they cost only slightly more than a violin bow.
I love celllloooo!!!

It's interesting to note that many violinists switch to cello, but I've never heard of a cellist that switched to violin.

The first instrument I ever played seriously was the violin. I played for about 3 and a half years and became quite good - 4th to 5th Grade. My previous experience on the violin really helped me pick up the cello. However, I switched to the cello because it is so much more versatile than the violin. It has the same range as the human voice (which is HUGE! Violin is limited in comparison) and as some have said, it is more expressive. You can also hook up distortion pedals and rock out on a cello. I think doing the same thing to a violin would make your ears bleed.

And, don't worry about what people have said regarding the cello's limited repetoire. Even if it is limited compared to the violin, it's quality, not quantity, than matters. Plus, most cellists don't ever get anywhere near learning all of the repetoire. Also, if you're worried about never playing the melody, just listen to some solo cello. It's absolutely beautiful when cellos do get the main parts. Listen to some new music like Zoe Keating or Rasputina - both have beautiful melodies, and do all their songs on the cello.

Honestly, I'd play the cello. Don't give in to those showpony violins!

I play both the violin and the cello, started with violin. I enjoy the violin very much, but I like the cello's deep and robust sound. If you like being able to go into pretty high notes, try the violin.

I agree with the others that the cello is in a more natural position, and I have also learned cello vibrato is a lot easier for me than violin vibrato. Listen to music of each kind and decide for yourself which one you like.

i agree that cellos do have a huge range of emotions, but the fact is that cello is more versitile and it's sound is a lot more pleasant than a violin's. i have heard perfessional violinist play and they sound very nice but i have heard perfessional cellist play and i enjoyed the shifting emotions from the cello. i play cello and i know a litle viola and i would say that instead of playing violin try the viola. it has the same strings as a cello and has the same feel as the violin. the viola is like a mix of the 2. i believe the viola have a similar range of emotions as the cello as well. the cello is truly the best orchestra instroment because without it the rest of the orchestra can't get the beat and feel of the piece. the violin usually has melody. the viola ussually gives the piece it's feelcoupled with the cello. the cello helps the beat along with the basses and is ussually given longer notes or fast runs. te thing with the cello is that it is a whole lot more versitile than the violin and it's emotions allow it to exploit it's versitility.

i would start with the cello because it is easier to learn compared to the violin. most violinst quit because it takes so long to get good. but if you listen to both the violin and the cello play a duet you may be able to identify with one more than the other.