YOUR QUESTION

01/04/2021 Ang

I played cello in school and always meant to get back to it. Here I am years later, no cello, and hands that are going to sh*t. First question: should I get a cheapo cello at Walmart for a couple hundred or just get a good one right off. Second question: What can I do to strengthen my hands? Read up a bit but there is so much info out there n I don't want to waste any more years thinking about doing this. Thank you 😊

MY ANSWER

If you’ve already played in the past I wouldn’t go too cheap. Bad instruments kill inspiration and getting that good feeling back in your hands probably won’t come with some beater cello. But you can find a mid-range instrument if you’re willing to spend a little more. The best thing for strength is boring old long-tones; slow practice. Metronome at 40 and eight clicks to the bow. Also, just playing scales, or anything really, at a very slow tempo while focusing on maintaining a good, even tone.