Hey everyone,

I am 19 years old and am really interested in learning how to play the cello. I just love the sound of it, and think it's really beautiful. However, my mom thinks that it might be more useful to learn how to play the guitar or the piano because they are more versatile and I could play them by themselves. Does anyone here just play the cello for themselves as opposed to joining a symphony at their school? Do you think it's still worth it to play the cello independently? Like I said before I would really like to play the cello but at this moment would rather just play and learn on my own.

I think the Cello is a beautiful instrument. I use to play it (I am thinking seriously about getting back into it, but playing it on my own). It has a great soothing sound to it and is very relaxing. In my opinion, a Cello would be a better instrument to play than a guitar or a piano just because it is much more relaxing and soothing, and I believe it has a better sound. Hope my opinion has helped!

Well I don't know how to play guitar or piano, but everyone has their different pinions on everything.

I do play the violin and cello. I agree with the last poster, it is a very soothing instrument. When the violin gets too screechy (not a bad screech, just gets old having all of those high notes, getting into the higher positions) I go and play my cello. When I first started it wasn't soothing at all, it was just annoying. To tell you the truth I thought it was going to be learning a giant violin. But it did not do that, the deeper sounds can really cool your nerves. I learned how to play my first bach cello piece in 2 weeks. I learned to play my first bach violin after 4 MONTHS. I would recommend finding a good teacher in your area, because I tried going the teach-yourself-method way. It didn't work, to say the least. had picked up 5 bad habits in my first day of cello playing without a teacher, and it took weeks until I could finally stop the bad habits. I would also recommend a good cello book. I use Essental Elements 2000.

However, my mom thinks that it might be more useful to learn how to play the guitar or the piano because they are more versatile and I could play them by themselves.

This sounds to me backward. The advantage of the cello is that you can play it in an orchestra.

One of my favorite things to do with the cello is to play pizzicato chords (not even holding the bow at all). It's true that the guitar offers more voicing possibilities (although the cello offers plenty if you think creatively), but I find it more satisfying to play cello chords than guitar chords.

I play basically all instruments. Cello is by far the best. It is probably the most beautiful instrument out there, and it has an enormous range. It gets challenging, but it is well worth it. And being in an orchestra is a PRO of playing the cello, not a con by any means.


Over all, the cello is the best thing ever. learn it. it is sooo worth it. you will be soooo glad you did

I would choose cello. Definetly. Or any other string instrument, like viola,violina,etc.

Follow your heart - get the instrument that you want to play.