Ginevra Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 You feel me? I learned some piano as a child and I have an okay singing voice (though not outstanding and limited in range), but my recent obsession with the Wednesday Addams series reeeeaaaallly makes me wish I could play cello. I have been similarly interested (as an adult) in violin. But hearing Paint it Black in cello, and Vivaldi’s Winter, and Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters just…transports me. It’s my current musical obsession. 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 Why not learn? I picked up the violin at age 40, during the pandemic. It was a gift to myself. I'm slow to learn and struggle, but I have made significant progress over the past few years. It's one of the better things I've done for myself. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 8 minutes ago, Quill said: You feel me? I learned some piano as a child and I have an okay singing voice (though not outstanding and limited in range), but my recent obsession with the Wednesday Addams series reeeeaaaallly makes me wish I could play cello. I have been similarly interested (as an adult) in violin. But hearing Paint it Black in cello, and Vivaldi’s Winter, and Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters just…transports me. It’s my current musical obsession. Me too. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 I've long regretted not learning trumpet. Now my nephew plays (very well) so it would be slightly awkward. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 2 minutes ago, HomeAgain said: Why not learn? I picked up the violin at age 40, during the pandemic. It was a gift to myself. I'm slow to learn and struggle, but I have made significant progress over the past few years. It's one of the better things I've done for myself. Well…I’m not saying I definitely wouldn’t. But I do know one does not just pick up strings in a few weeks. I’m not sure I can afford to commit to it. But we’ll see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 (edited) Hey @Quill are you familiar with the Dvorák Cello Concerto in B Minor? I just adore this work. Some favorite artists include Mstislav Rostropovich, Jacqueline du Pré, and Janos Starker. Bill Edited January 11, 2023 by Spy Car 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 Just now, Spy Car said: Hey @Quill are you familiar with the Dvorák Cello Concerto in B Minor? I just adore this work. Some favorite artists include Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, Jacqueline du Pré, and Janos Starker. Bill I’m not. But I will look them up. I made a playlist of “Cello music only” and it’s been fun seeing what the AI picks that it thinks I might like. Today I got a cello version of Jolene. Not bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 Just now, Quill said: I’m not. But I will look them up. I made a playlist of “Cello music only” and it’s been fun seeing what the AI picks that it thinks I might like. Today I got a cello version of Jolene. Not bad. Here is a link to the inimitable Jacqueline Du Pré when she was still in her prime. Her career (and later her life) were tragically cut short by MS. Not necessarily my favorite performance (the tempi is rather fast for my taste), but seeing her playing captured on film is thrilling. Her husband, Daniel Barenboim is conducting Bill 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 I took violin growing up and it's like a retirement dream to pick it back up and join a community orchestra! My daughter took lessons for 12 years and I miss playing with her too. Cello is a beautiful instrument - you can do it! ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildflowerMom Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 I wanted to learn to play violin in middle school and a boy I had a massive crush on heard and he laughed at me. I went to one lesson to try it out with an instructor and never went back. You start playing the cello and I'll start with the violin. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 4 minutes ago, Quill said: Well…I’m not saying I definitely wouldn’t. But I do know one does not just pick up strings in a few weeks. I’m not sure I can afford to commit to it. But we’ll see. DS18 prefers the cello to the violin from an early age. I think he likes the more mellow sound of the cello. We went to many strings stores in our region for DS18 to try out several cellos for rental. He was in between a size 1/2 and a size 3/4 when he was elementary school age. We also bought the cello mute, new strings, music stand and the cello endpin anchor non slip stopper. We did buy him a bow and the cello bow rosin as well because he didn’t like the bow that came with the rental cello. Adults would typically take full size cellos and those would be easier to find for rental compared to the 1/2 or 1/4 size ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 1 minute ago, Arcadia said: I think he likes the more mellow sound of the cello. I think that too. I do like the sound of a violin quite a lot but I love minor keys played on cello. It’s just rapturous. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 1 minute ago, WildflowerMom said: I wanted to learn to play violin in middle school and a boy I had a massive crush on heard and he laughed at me. I went to one lesson to try it out with an instructor and never went back. You start playing the cello and I'll start with the violin. I tried both violin and cello, and prefer the cello because I rather have the instrument in front of me than on my shoulder/chin. I have sensory issues. The violin is lots more portable of course. The cello took up most of our car trunk space. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 @Quill Another cello recording I'd suggest for you to seek out is Elgar's Cello Concerto. Here the recommendation must be the 1965 recording by Jacqueline Du Pré and the London Symphony Orchestra with John Barbirolli conducting for EMI (now Warner). Du Pré "owns" this work. Bill 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 I hope to take it up in a few years. I never had the opportunity to learn an instrument as a kid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 Dh started cello lessons about two years ago. He started by having a rental cello delivered by ups and virtual lessons. Now he is in a community orchestra and is enjoying meeting other musicians. I’m happy to see him accomplish something that he always said he wanted to try. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 1 hour ago, HomeAgain said: I picked up the violin at age 40, during the pandemic. It was a gift to myself. I'm slow to learn and struggle, but I have made significant progressover the past few years. It's one of the better things I've done for myself. The cello is not only a much bigger instrument but a much bigger investment, lol 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 You've heard of Two Cellos? They're my favorite. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 31 minutes ago, Slache said: You've heard of Two Cellos? They're my favorite. Yes; since I’ve been binging all things cello, I found a concert with two cellos. Also, those guys are 🔥🔥🔥 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 My Dad retired at 63, and worked on postponed house projects for a couple of years. Then they travelled, and when they mostly got that out of their system, he joined a community band, playing his trombone for the first time in decades. He absolutely loved it, practiced at home a lot and regrew his proficiency. It was awesome. I also know someone who decided to learn to play the organ in his 80s and said it brought him more joy than anything else he had done for a very long time. IITC John Holt learned to play the cello as an adult. Go for it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachGal Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 My mother taught piano and organ to children and adults in her free time after work. Her oldest student, a beginner, was in his 90s and lived in a nursing home. Another student in his 60s, a retired engineer and also a beginner, built his own organ somehow and she taught him how to play it. She loved teaching adults. Moral of the story: You are never too old to learn as long as you can physically handle the instrument. You started as a beginner with painting and now are quite good so why not give the cello a try? I think you should go for it! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 At dd’s recital in November, there was a woman in her 40s who had started just this past September and the music school owner’s husband took it up in his 60s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eos Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Do it! Remember John Taylor Gatto? 3 hours ago, Quill said: Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters Fun fact: ds and I waltzed to this at his wedding. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage81 Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 3 hours ago, Quill said: You feel me? I learned some piano as a child and I have an okay singing voice (though not outstanding and limited in range), but my recent obsession with the Wednesday Addams series reeeeaaaallly makes me wish I could play cello. I have been similarly interested (as an adult) in violin. But hearing Paint it Black in cello, and Vivaldi’s Winter, and Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters just…transports me. It’s my current musical obsession. Side note…I really loved Wednesday too! I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but surprisingly, it was so good. (Also, DH and I danced our first dance at our wedding to Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. ☺️) 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 17 minutes ago, Vintage81 said: Side note…I really loved Wednesday too! I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but surprisingly, it was so good. (Also, DH and I danced our first dance at our wedding to Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. ☺️) Wednesday was so much better than I expected. I love fantasy but not necessarily dark fantasy, but to me, it hits that sweet spot of being darkly funny without being terribly gruesome. I grant you, there are some gory moments, but the satirically macabre aspect is just hilarious to me. And the cinematography is stunning. The dance was my favorite episode and I loved her dress. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 56 minutes ago, BeachGal said: My mother taught piano and organ to children and adults in her free time after work. Her oldest student, a beginner, was in his 90s and lived in a nursing home. Another student in his 60s, a retired engineer and also a beginner, built his own organ somehow and she taught him how to play it. She loved teaching adults. Moral of the story: You are never too old to learn as long as you can physically handle the instrument. You started as a beginner with painting and now are quite good so why not give the cello a try? I think you should go for it! Aww, thanks for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Dd17 plays the cello and we all love it when she practices, it's soothing and rich and just beautiful. Maybe someday I'll have her teach me - kind of a paying back for the investment we've made! 🙂 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 1 minute ago, BakersDozen said: Dd17 plays the cello and we all love it when she practices, it's soothing and rich and just beautiful. Maybe someday I'll have her teach me - kind of a paying back for the investment we've made! 🙂 A good friend of mine’s son plays cello at expert level. He is getting his masters in music. I remember from years back how fun it was to listen to him for our homeschool talent show. 🙂 It’s such a pleasure to have kids who play music. Two of mine play instruments; one plays piano, one plays guitar. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resilient Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 “play the cello” is my answer to the party question “What talent would you love to have magically bestowed on you overnight?” 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 A Radiohead song with a lot of cellos! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I've always loved the cello, too! And now I'm looking forward even more to the Wednesday series, which is on my watch list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Same! I got a cello about 5 years ago because I decided I want to learn how to play it after watching a couple of episodes of Fame as a kid. I also got a season of Fame on DVD to watch with my dancer, and boy is it ever cheesy! I bought a couple of beginner cello courses on Udemy, but haven't done anything yet. I do plan to learn someday; I just need to find the time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I've been seriously considering taking up the cello. I've played the violon my whole life but it's getting hard on my wrists. The local homeschool beginner orchestra allows parents to join. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I learned to play a string (bow) instrument in my 20s. I learned the piano in my teens. It's not as hard as people make it. The bowing has a learning curve and the tips of your fingers are going to hurt until calluses build up, but you quickly build up the intuition on where to press down on the string and your fingers have some strength to them from the piano playing. In 2 or 3 lessons I could play simple tunes. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 To play any instrument very well is hard work but just on a self enjoyment level it wasn't as daunting as I thought it was going to be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 I once had the privilege of attending a concert of Bach cello suites played by Yo Yo Ma. This remains one of the most vivid memories of my whole life. I'm very easily bored and I would not stay the course on learning an instrument. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 6 hours ago, rebcoola said: I've been seriously considering taking up the cello. I've played the violon my whole life but it's getting hard on my wrists. The local homeschool beginner orchestra allows parents to join. That would be so fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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