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[Star Power]

I want to teach myself to play one of these instruments... does anyone here play? Any books you'd recommend checking out (getting a teacher is not an option, as I'm currently taking guitar lessons and can't afford more lessons on top of that).. I know they're supposedly quite hard to learn, and are better suited for young kids (6,7,8..), but I don't care.

 

[Macam]

I played cello for 6 years and I still have my cello sitting in a closet (which, if I had time, I'd love to tear back into), but if you're looking to learn, honestly, the best bet is to get a teacher. Without lessons, you're likely to miss out on the essential basics, like proper form and techniques, as playing a string instrument is very different than playing something like guitar. As far as books go, the Suzuki volumes are good for learning basic songs and offer an increasing set of music to try, but they're no substitute for lessons unfortunately.

I suspect Sonarrat will be able to chime in further on this topic actually.

 

[Litigation Manuel]

Whoa, I was just going to get a violin this week. Now I'm gonna look like a poseur.

 

[hXc_thugg]

I used to play Viola back in the day. I wish I still played so I could be like Patrick Wolf.

 

[Tarazet]

I played cello for 6 years and I still have my cello sitting in a closet (which, if I had time, I'd love to tear back into), but if you're looking to learn, honestly, the best bet is to get a teacher. Without lessons, you're likely to miss out on the essential basics, like proper form and techniques, as playing a string instrument is very different than playing something like guitar. As far as books go, the Suzuki volumes are good for learning basic songs and offer an increasing set of music to try, but they're no substitute for lessons unfortunately.

I suspect Sonarrat will be able to chime in further on this topic actually.

You pretty much said everything that I would. The surest bet would be to go to your local university and ask a 'cello teacher if they have any students who would be willing to teach you. In some cases, they might even get credit for it.

 

[ronito]

Like Sonarrat said go to your local college's music dept. If you don't find a teacher willing to help you you'll find performance students that are. Having been a music major and teacher I cannot stress enough that if you really want to play you'll need lessons, or at least a teacher's guidance.

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

Yes, cello is much more difficult to play than a guitar is. I can play the violin, viola, and cello, and I can't stress enough how important a teacher is. You might be able to play the beginning stuff ok without a teacher, but if you're really serious about playing a classical string instrument and want to move onto the advanced stuff, you won't survive without proper guidance.

 

[ronito]

Yes, cello is much more difficult to play than a guitar is.

As a classical guitarist I disagree with this post.

 

[Litigation Manuel]

If you've been playing guitar for a while (6.5 years) is the transition fairly easy to violin? Do you pick it up quickly?

 

[GG-Duo]

I used to play Viola back in the day. I wish I still played so I could be like Patrick Wolf.

I used to play the violin, but got tired of having the soundbox next to my ear all the time...