Hello lovely people :D

I am considering learning how to play the cello as I am going away to uni next year. I have been playing the piano for about 7 years ( self taught) but I cannot afford a nice sounding digital piano and I think that it would take up too much space in a dorm room.
As I need to play an instrument (in order to keep my sanity through uni :P) I have been considering learning how to play the cello, but as I do not have the money for a teacher, this would be self taught as well.

I have looked at two affordable models http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_polar_cello_4_4.htm and http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/4-4-Size-Cello-with-Case-by-Gear4music/247


My questions are:
Does anyone have any experiences with being self taught and if so do you have any advice, good learners books, websites ect.?
Which of the two instruments seems like the best buy?

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated - Thank you in advance :D

I would advise you under these circumstances to forget about the cello and take up the classical guitar. It's much easier to learn to play without lessons (try the Aaron Shearing method books), it's much less expensive (you can a perfectly good new Yamaha for about $130), it's much, much quieter, and a guitar beginner is much easier to tolerate than a cello beginner (you'll drive your dorm neighbors crazy with loud, screeching, out of tune cello playing).

If you must play the cello, however, then you absolutely must take lessons. To make them more affordable ask your teacher for bi-weekly lessons. To make your dorm neighbors less likely to strangle you, always practice with a practice mute (different from a normal mute).

http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/esel20forstp2.html


Beginner Cello method book from Hal Leonard above is a good starter book.

you could also go with Suzuki

http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/sucesccepavo.html

I see Scotch is practicing his stupid answers again