One more technique to help with selection. Don’t play several instruments in a row. Play two instruments and determine which of the two you like best. Then compare the next instrument to the one you previously determined to be best. Again determine which you like best and make this the standard for comparison with the next instrument. Keep doing this until you have the instrument you like best. This technique helps reduce ear fatigue.

All the music teachers I’ve had say if your going to spend money on a cello it should be no less than $2000. This is because of quality and time spent making the instrument on the other side I myself am not rich so my first cello was $500. What I did was I bought more expensive strings and re stringed the cello, that cello lasted me 5 years. Although this might not be the case for everyone you can also check out used cellos on ebay etc. many people will not know the true value of the instrument and you can get a really good deal! That being said ofc you can play cello even if your not financially compatible for the more expensive cellos. Your playing skills will matter too my personal experience, having my cheaper cello I always spent time understanding the instrument and striving to sound my best this takes time but in the end it is worth it and when your ready to upgrade your sound on a new cello will sound so much better than you would think because of the technique you’ve learned over the time you spent with your cheaper cello. Happy playing bets of luck! I hope this helped somebody.🙂

This is very helpful! What I usually recommend to those who are unsure which cello to buy, is to rent the one they like most. Once they feel really comfortable with it, they can come back and buy it.

I love the fact that your cello has a lot of sweet spots

I switched off when he said a beginner cello was 5000, that is not affordable for someone wanting to start from scratch.

I got a Sam Alexander Cello for $150 and they cost roughly $5,000! I recommend looking on Letgo, Ebay and Craigslist. You never know. You might get lucky!

Was the airline Delta? They destroyed my cello, the first and only I owned, after my parents saved up to buy me one as a graduation present. They offered me 2 $50 coupons as compensation! They were contacted before flight and said the instrument would be accommodated. That wasn't true. They couldn't care less that my young heart was broken.

Yes, of course the bridge is an important determinant of tone quality, but it's not the only one. Surely the setting of the sound post, which is not mentioned at all in this video, is equally important. And how about the way the instrument is strung? It's a complex, multi-faceted business.

A wealth of wisdom! Thanks!!!

Very good info here. You mentioned that your earlier cello was acquired from Wayne Burak’s Arlington TX shop... did you hear that he just passed away? Apparently his son Nick will continue the work there. Sad though. He was the go-to guy for the region.

Wow. I just upgraded my cello about a year ago. I watched this video with a little fear, worried that I’d missed some important detail along the way. I love my cello, so I figured even if I messed up, it wasn’t tragic. This is FABULOUS guidance and I would have felt more confident had I seen it before shopping. I have my “lifetime” cello and don’t expect to be shopping again however everyone who is in the market…just watch this great video. PS. I did actually go from rental…to purchase (Jay Haide)…to upgrade (new workshop cello) at Carriage House and agree that they are wonderful.

I have played some examples like cecillio 500 and some Primaveras that rivaled many Cellos that cost 4 times as much. It all boils down to solid woods instead of laminate, and quality of the construction from the luthier. Set of the neck, graduation of the carved sound board ect.... The Chinese have come quite a long way.

I also play a Jay Haide, the l'ancienne Ruggieri model. Other cellists and cello teachers tell me that it really plays and sounds like an instrument in the $12,000 - $20,000 price range. I love it!

Rentals are a great option for just starting cello. That gives you a chance to try out what you like before you buy it.

Heh, forgot I had turned on 1.5x until he started playing the Swan xD

mike block seems like a really great teacher!

Me: an intermediate cellist looking to upgrade my $500 cello to a better cello. This guy: intermediate cellos are around $10-20,000 ;-;

12:30-13:00_Completely agree in that if trust is there you'll win! I was/am skeptical & cautious which cost me $, but after wasting many $ I eventually realized everything the store owner initially told me (was true), what a relief! I'm speaking of an hobby other than cello, but the essence still stands. Just think, if you were the store owner, how long would you remain in business if you scammed customers, word spreads and you know the rest.

You make the cello look so easy!!

I'm getting a Yinfente 5 String Electric Cello & it has a High E String just like the Violin which might allow me to play Violin pieces down an Octave.

Also, the price must depend on the region (at least the used ones). People in the US earn at least 3 times more money than people in Hungary for example.

I agree with him on the price for a beginner's cello because I think the definition of a beginner is not necessarily the time you have played the cello but the level of skills you have. I just started to play the cello a month ago and would see myself being at beginner level for years, so a 5000 USD cello for a few years wont be too bad (though I am on a rental, better ;P)

i really want to play cello, but how in the hell i can afford one :( maybe i have to rob a bank

I’m renting a Jay Haide L’Ancienne. I didn’t realize it was a factory made instrument. It’s a $5500 instrument. 🎻

It's interesting that there was no mention of the quality of the cello bow when trying out new cellos. I would think that a poor quality bow could make a good cello sound bad.

11:28 what's the name of your composition? I wanna listen to it.. Thats so cool and I really liked it!

Some shops will let you rent and possibly rent to own.

Your cello sounds really good for the price wow

does he only have 3 pegs?

I'm a Jazz tenor saxophonist of 5 decades. My Selmer Mark VI (best sax there is) is worth $9,000 (I paid $500 new in 1973). Similar Mark VI altos go for $6,000. A perfectly playable instrument can be had for $2000 and $600, respectively I did just that with nearly 100 year old Conn New Wonders. I'm looking for my first cello (same range, more or less!) after playing some guitar and bass since March 2021. I'm considering an electric cello, so $1500 to $2,000 buys an NS Wav. I see "student" and "intermediate" cellos for $1000 to $1500, yet you say $2,000 to $6,000 is needed. And into the stratosphere for "pro" instruments. Is this diminishing marginal returns? And if I need to spend $6,000 for a decent cello, are not I better off with the electric? Thanks!

Can i have 1 cello that can be used for beginner to expert 😬

Very informative

He was/is a rich kid :( I'm almost 51 and never been able to pay more than $1000 on an intrument. (And I played for a living off and on since I was 20.) Still trying to find the best "affordable" cello :(

What is the intro song? I know Im late but It sounds quite nice! I would love to know. Thank you!

You sound good on the technical passages. I hope you don't use that slow wobbly vibrato in lyrical passages when performing.

Hey guys, question. How am I supposed to buy a cello if I have never plaid and don’t know a thing about it?

What song do you play at 11:28? Edit: lol just noticed I'm the 100th comment

my car is about 5000 USD

I’m going to start making cellos!!$$$$$$$$$

I seen some Cello's on eBay for 300$ so i guess the one i saw was really a knock off!!

Musical elitism is always upstaged by working class creativity . Beatles to Joy Division. ETc Nymans first record was on an indie label.

Lol $200-399 budget. Used. Facebook marketplace has GOT to be talked about for beginners

what I have learned is I'm not ready to buy a new cello 😂

40

Ok google, what's the definition of cork sniffing?

Oh gosh, no! Please name the airline!

30 000€ to 80 000€ to get a professional lv cello ? 😆😂 So what about my cello teacher, who's also cellist in National Orchestra. She only has a "10 000€" cello.

Here's a "stupid" question from a guitarist interested in the cello as a new instrument. Is price really that much of a factor? Or is it more of a bloviated niche of elitism? Is that $50,000 cello REALLY that much better than a 10k one? After some very well spent time with luthiers, I have a hard time believing the difference is that great. I wouldn't consider a $5000 guitar 50 times better than an 100 buck one. It is obviously better but by that much? A cheap $500 cello is fifty times worse than a $25k one? I don't know, and that's why I'm asking. It still just comes down some wood and strings. Thanks for the information and any response.

I’ll bet it was United.

I can't test something I've never played ugh help lol

How much were you paid to sell cellos from China ???

What if I have never played a cello before? Obviously you can't test the cellos then.

Why am I looking at this? I am too poor to get a better one.

elcectic cellos

"intermediate cello for $15000" headass?

Was is delta airlines 😆

Save money buy a Rickenbacker! The shop MAY be willing to set up the instrument for you for $15,000 Seeing this 9 months later and remembering you say $2000 - 5000 for a BEGINNER CELLO , i think your industry is completely insane and needs a reboot OR extinction , what normal lower middle class family could afford that. 😮

I dont call 5000 an affordable cello, most people could not afford that amount of money. This video is almost saying if you cant afford 5k then don’t bother, take up another hobby. It being elitist. Sorry but my reply is get real.

I guess the answer to the question "Which cello should you buy?" is none at those prices! I have a 14yo that started learning to play at her school. I came here for advice on a usable learner model. I am leaving here with nothing. This guy is on crack. $5k for a beginner. Sheesh. I see new ones for about $1k and many for less still than that. Go smoke another one buddy!

Such an inflated market for no good reason; it's a shaped piece of wood with metal bits. Luthiers are clearly milking the build, It'll be cheaper to invest in machine learning and get a robot to build me one.