Can you tell me how much easier it is playing the cello than the violin? Thanks.

vc

I think both are about the same in terms of difficulty.
On the violin it might be easier to play virtuoso stuff as they have a fifth in a hand, on the cello it's only a fourth.
On the cello it can be more difficult to come through with your sound because it is less loud than a violin and less brilliant in its sound.
But basically it is the same kind of difficulty. Intonation can hardly be easier on the one or the other. In my opinion the problems are very similar on both instruments.
Maybe cellists have a little more trouble to have good bowing because the strings hold back the bow more than on the violin. But then again, a good violinist needs very good bowing skills too.
Even though the violin has a larger repertory, both instruments have enough major pieces that need great skills.
However the position on the cello seams more natural. But ask a professional violinist: I have never met one who admits that the position of the violin is unnatural. And this is logic: Professional cellists and violinists practice so many hours since such an early age that their respective positions seem totally natural to them.


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) The cello has wonderful expression capabilities, which the violin has, but not to such a great extent. I'm talking vibrato speed, slide capabilities, the distance between end of the fingerboard and bridge (which itself supplies heaps of unique sounds)

3) The huge range of the cello, breaking just around 6 octaves, is incredible. Violin can reach 5, but from there on it makes your ears bleed.

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Just by chance, on these two questions, what do you think of the other string instruments in this regard?

Vibrato is much easier on cello than on violin, but bowing seems more difficult because gravity pushes the bow onto the string for violin, whereas gravity pushes the bow down the string on cello.

Physically, both instruments have their challenges - it can hurt to press down the strings until your fingers toughen up. Your arms get sore from holding them up in the air for extended periods of time. Building skills takes time and you will want to cry and hit things when you just can't do something yet. If you decide to become a professional, you have to maitain your skills with constant practice and stay ahead of the hundreds & thousands of new musicians who are coming through each year.

But if you love it, either instrument is worth the effort... here are some things to consider...

Cello Pros - we get to sit down the whole time. It is easy to sound great from the day you start playing - even if you only know one note! Also, orchestral musicians get a good mixtre of bass lines, gorgous harmonies and the soaring string melodies. Because there's less of us, we tend to be in demand for gigs, and less likely to threaten one-another due to stress & competition. The instrument goes with so many styles & genres - a cello will sound as good with classical (elgar concerto) as pop (missy higgins), jazz (bolling suite) and metal (apocolyptica)

Cello Cons - some crazy person invented thumb position, the instrument can be heavy to carry & awkward to fit in the car. Sometimes it can be hard to find cello music becuase there isn't really that much written for it (depending on what your taste in music is).

Violin Pros - You get all the cool solos in the orchestra - and are the only person elligible to be the leader (concert master). There is so much music written for violin - take your pick - you can find it! There are more violins required in orchestras and string quartets than the other string instruments - technically more chances for you to get a job.

Violin Cons - You have chosen the most competitive instrument in the world (except perhaps the piano)... expect some pressure to achieve. If you don't stay aware of keeping a good posture, your local physio will become your new best friend. Those high notes can be hard to read on the music, and even harder to play in tune!

it can hurt to press down the strings until your fingers toughen up

If it hurts to stop a cello string. don't even think about attempting to play a Steinway or a Rhodes.

Cello Pros - we get to sit down the whole time.

So do orchestral and string quartet violinists.

It is easy to sound great from the day you start playing - even if you only know one note!

Only if that note is an open low C.

Because there's less of us...

Because there are fewer....

There are more violins required in orchestras and string quartets than the other string instruments - technically more chances for you to get a job.

Not really: There are more applicants for violin positions.