LOL... we went the drum route about 8 years ago.
Well, the drums didn't make it past the 7 year itch, but you guys did!!!!!
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Double Bass How do I buy a cello?
- Thread starter Joe Nerve
- Start date
Well, the drums didn't make it past the 7 year itch, but you guys did!!!!!
I don't see the OP buying even a student model for the money stated. I recommend renting. Have a family who has played cello for 50 yrs. The person bought a fourth cello for $500 at pawn shop condition was low fair. No bow was included, another 300, and low quality. Previous cello worth thousands was stolen. Depending where you live, and the type of heating you have wooden instruments are subject to cracking. Again consider renting, and a certificate.
Good luck
Good luck
Everybody in my family plays multiple stringed instruments, so you have my condolences. 
I would not be as fearful of a used cello as I would be of a low priced bass. The simple reason is that cellos are smaller and are typically kept in hard cases, so the likelihood of massive hidden structural damage is less.
I don't think this can be done on the cheap. Ask some teachers where their students get instruments. In my locale, there is no "storefront" violin shop, but we have a wonderful dealer who works out of his home, and he's furnished nearly all of our instruments except for my bass. We are also fortunate to have a great bass luthier, which is pretty unique for such a small town.
Cello is a wonderful instrument. I've been gradually trying to figure out how to play jazz on the cello.
I would not be as fearful of a used cello as I would be of a low priced bass. The simple reason is that cellos are smaller and are typically kept in hard cases, so the likelihood of massive hidden structural damage is less.
I don't think this can be done on the cheap. Ask some teachers where their students get instruments. In my locale, there is no "storefront" violin shop, but we have a wonderful dealer who works out of his home, and he's furnished nearly all of our instruments except for my bass. We are also fortunate to have a great bass luthier, which is pretty unique for such a small town.
Cello is a wonderful instrument. I've been gradually trying to figure out how to play jazz on the cello.
Depending on where you live, cellos are subject to humidity cracking. Just wait until you want to buy a bow.
Tune your bass in fifths and work out the fingering then switch over.
Tune your bass in fifths and work out the fingering then switch over.
It is difficult; I played in a jazz setting with cello, drums, bass, guitar, piano and voice and the problem with that instrument is that it interferes with a lot of the frequencies of other instruments; it can be in the range of the bass, or in that of the guitar, or the piano... Then again, the root - fith is very easy
- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Update for people who are still responding.
There is an Engelhart (sp?) Cello, standing in it's gigbag, in the corner of my bedroom, for 5 days now - untouched. Hasn't even been taken out of it's bag.
We'll see where this goes...
There is an Engelhart (sp?) Cello, standing in it's gigbag, in the corner of my bedroom, for 5 days now - untouched. Hasn't even been taken out of it's bag.
We'll see where this goes...
Are you tempted to have a go yourself, Joe? I can tell you it's a humbling experience if you've not done it before or have never used a bow...
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I'm currently working a day job, playing 2-3 nights a week, learning 3-10 new songs a week, working feverishly on book promotion, and trying to find time to go to the gym, do my chores, and spend quality time with my wife.
In other words....
NO.
I haven't even half unzipped the bag to look at it.
Now if it were a bass....
You know Bill Cosby is going to come and haunt you don't you? Wait a minute, Cosby is the Jello guy, not the cello guy. "you will dream of Yo-Yos" for three months, if that lonely instrument is not shown some daylight and love. It will probably shriek like an angry cat.
Arco man, Arco.It is difficult; I played in a jazz setting with cello, drums, bass, guitar, piano and voice and the problem with that instrument is that it interferes with a lot of the frequencies of other instruments; it can be in the range of the bass, or in that of the guitar, or the piano... Then again, the root - fith is very easy
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/099849660X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_fbiTybNPGB0P3
It's in my signature, too.
Thanks for the interest. It's a lot of my own personal story and experience, and based on things I've learned over the past 30+ years. Tips for good mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. If ya get it I hope you enjoy
.https://smile.amazon.com/dp/099849660X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_fbiTybNPGB0P3
It's in my signature, too.
Thanks for the interest. It's a lot of my own personal story and experience, and based on things I've learned over the past 30+ years. Tips for good mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. If ya get it I hope you enjoy
Thanks Joe. Too funny - I have programmed myself so well to ignore online ads, I never even SAW your signature!
And sure enough, there it is! Thanks - wow - 95% 5-star reviews on Amazon? It's pretty tough to top that!!
The topic passed the test - I will give it a read - thanks!
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Thanks.
I keep forgetting to let people know that if you purchase the paperback, you get the Kindle for free. No benefit to me whichever you choose, so just get what works best for you
.
It was arco playing... Maybe if the cello would be the lone solo voice...
That's a good point. I could see it being easy to get buried.It is difficult; I played in a jazz setting with cello, drums, bass, guitar, piano and voice and the problem with that instrument is that it interferes with a lot of the frequencies of other instruments; it can be in the range of the bass, or in that of the guitar, or the piano... Then again, the root - fith is very easy
But... I tried it out with the combo tonight! The band is normally guitar, vibes, drums, and bass (me). I told them that I was messing around with the cello, so they encouraged me to bring it. And the drummer's son is learning bass and progressing nicely, so he played with us too.
It's kind of an experimental band anyway. We play whatever the guitarist writes -- modern jazz compositions, plus transcriptions of new material, etc. It's kind of a "workshop," for instance if someone wants to work on some particular thing, the band will oblige. So it's a great chance to try out something new.
I attached an Ehrlund pickup. I wasn't having any luck with it on my bass, but it's great for cello. I attached the output jack to my tail gut, so it doesn't interfere with putting my cello in the case.
So now I get to figure out how to play jazz on cello. Some "problems" for me to solve: First, I just have to get my chops back, in terms of what I hear in my head, coming out of my instrument. I have to be able to switch between 4ths and 5ths tuning, which wasn't a problem when I played both cello and bass in high school. I want to make it sound not like fiddling. And, I've never before had to think about what to do when I'm not the bassist.
Please tell us after a few months if you think it's helped your bass lines.That's a good point. I could see it being easy to get buried.
But... I tried it out with the combo tonight! The band is normally guitar, vibes, drums, and bass (me). I told them that I was messing around with the cello, so they encouraged me to bring it. And the drummer's son is learning bass and progressing nicely, so he played with us too.
It's kind of an experimental band anyway. We play whatever the guitarist writes -- modern jazz compositions, plus transcriptions of new material, etc. It's kind of a "workshop," for instance if someone wants to work on some particular thing, the band will oblige. So it's a great chance to try out something new.
I attached an Ehrlund pickup. I wasn't having any luck with it on my bass, but it's great for cello. I attached the output jack to my tail gut, so it doesn't interfere with putting my cello in the case.
So now I get to figure out how to play jazz on cello. Some "problems" for me to solve: First, I just have to get my chops back, in terms of what I hear in my head, coming out of my instrument. I have to be able to switch between 4ths and 5ths tuning, which wasn't a problem when I played both cello and bass in high school. I want to make it sound not like fiddling. And, I've never before had to think about what to do when I'm not the bassist.
Will do! One thing I imagine is that it will force me out of being lazy and playing familiar patterns, because those patterns no longer work.
