Although many cellists choose to start off renting their instrument rather than owning it, at some point you may want to own it.The process of buying a cello might be difficult if you've never owned one before.Fear not.By determining first whether or not you should purchase a cello, going to a music store, selecting cellos for testing, properly evaluating a Cello, and shopping on the internet, you can invest in cello that will last you many years.
Step 1: You can find a string instrument shop.
You can either check the phone book, use a search engine with phrases like "string instruments shop near me", or ask fellow musicians or your teacher for advice, but try to find some local music shops that you can visit easily.If you live in a rural area or a small town where there isn't a lot of shops like this, it may be tempting to do your shopping online, but you will want to see and test any instrument before you buy it.Make sure that the shop you go to has a good selection of cellos in various price ranges, both for students and professionals, present to try out.
Step 2: Visit more than one place.
If you can, visit multiple stores.There's nothing wrong with going to several locations to compare prices and make sure you don't find a great cello just around the corner.You don't want to rush into a decision for such a large investment.Can you rent to own?Do they have a trade-in policy if you change your mind?Is it possible to finance or make payment plans?Find out more about the policies.
Step 3: Don't go by yourself.
If you feel like this is a decision you can make on your own, take your teacher or another trusted expert with you to the store, so that they can look at the cellos and listen to you play them.There may be things that you won't miss.
Step 4: You should beware of commission fees.
Most students aren't aware of the practice of stores giving teachers a commission based on sales.The commission will most likely be based on the amount of money the instrument costs.It could affect the advice your teacher gives you.There is nothing inherently unethical or illegal about this practice, but you still need to know what your money is paying for.If you're hurting for money, it's a good idea to talk to your teacher to find out if they'd be willing to waive the commission fee.Call the store to find out if they participate in a commission fee program.If you want to be sure that everything was done ethically, you can request a written statement from the store that no money or instruments changed hands for a commission.
Step 5: You can find the prices.
It's time to find out the prices after you have thoroughly examined the cellos, but before you test anything out and start getting too attached to an instrument.At the low end of a good cello, you can expect to pay $2000 and at the higher end, $5000 for a beginner or student's instrument.Instruments on the lower end of the cost range are usually shop-made, with less attention to detail and some work done by machines on an assembly line.The backs and tops are still hand-made.The lower end of the scale is usually good for newer players as the sound is engineered to "pop out."
Step 6: You can try to get a discount.
Every bit of money you can save is important when you're talking about an instrument that costs thousands of dollars.If the store does not participate in commissioner's fees and your teacher doesn't expect one either, you might ask if they can arrange for a 10% discount.
Step 7: Purchase more supplies.
Most of the additional items for your cello don't come with a bow, strings, rosin, or extra tuning pegs.From time to time, you will have to replace these items as they will wear down.If you don't have a hard case for your cello, you may have to buy one.Having one or two extra strings in your case is usually enough for most cellists.If this is your first cello, you may need a tuning fork or electric tuner.If students want to learn to read music, they may need a music stand.
Step 8: You can choose a variety of instruments.
Everything about your cello look, feel, and especially sound appealing to you is important.You might miss something better if you only test one and assume that it's the perfect fit.Do not pay attention to the price or brand of the instruments as you go along.Instead, ask your expert what they think of the sound, and try to pick a few that you'd like to check out later.The cellos should be inspected by your teacher or expert.
Step 9: Don't choose cellos solely by brand.
Buying a cello the way you might buy clothes is probably not the best way to go about it.Most brands that you will find in a store should be reliable.Try to experiment with a range of cellos across different brands by talking with experts you trust and asking other cellists who they may know through orchestra or lessons.
Step 10: Make sure it's the right size.
If you're 5 feet or taller, you should be able to use a full-size cello, while 4 - 412 feet tall should seek a half-sized cello.Those in the middle between the two sizes will be more comfortable with the smaller cello.Due to the cost of a cello, you may wish to take into account whether or not there is a high likelihood that you will continue to grow; most girls reach physical maturity around 15 years old, and boys around 16 or 17.To find out if a cello is the right size for you, sit in a chair and rest your feet on the floor.Make sure you have a straight back.Pull the endpin out of the instrument and place it against your chest at a 45 degree angle.The peg for the C string is located near your left ear.
Step 11: It's time to test it out.
Some shops will allow you to take a cello out of the store to test it in other areas, while others will not.If they allow the latter, take advantage of this and test the cello in spaces you will commonly play--your home, wherever you take lessons or practice, the orchestra or band hall, to conduct additional tests.If the instrument is all the way across a large room, you should be on the lookout for a consistent sound.There is no science to this step, so you will have to make your own decision.One sign of a quality cello is the presence of the occasional wolf note, in which the string vibrates so fast that the note stutters as it's made.
Step 12: The cellos have varnish.
A cello's varnish is more than just an aesthetic choice; it affects the way an instrument sounds and how that sound will change over the years.A musician will not be able to open the instrument if it is applied too much.Less varnish is considered more in this case.The color of the varnish is not agreed upon among musicians.
Step 13: Check the quality of the wood.
The quality of the cello's sound depends on the type of wood it is made of.Due to its poor ability to conduct sound, laminated wood is best left for flooring.The ebony parts should ideally have very tight grains, so close they might actually appear to be smooth, and the spruce portions should have a grain that is tight in the center that grows wider toward the bouts.
Step 14: The flame should be inspected.
The horizontal bar of contrast underneath the varnish is indicative of the wood's expense.If the light and dark bars change when the instrument is moved, this is a sign that the flame has been created.
Step 15: Look at the neck and fingerboard.
It makes sense to check these pieces at the same time.As you play, make sure the fingerboard feels smooth and free of pits.To make sure the light is even across the board, look down the fingerboard and hold the scroll next to your chin.A scoop at the mid point of a string can be found on a fingerboard that has been planed well.The neck should be treated with an oil finish.
Step 16: Look at the bridge.
The feet of the bridge should fit the instrument's belly, and it should be straight with a slight curve when viewed from the side.The cello's strings should fit into the grooves of the bridge, just deep enough to hold them securely.An ideal bridge will be made of maple, have a tight grain, and be highly flamed.
Step 17: The strings should be tested.
If you like the strings of the instrument, try them out.Try a different set if you or your mentor think they're inappropriate.You want to make sure that the strings are not close to the fingerboard on the bass side.
Step 18: The fitting should be inspected.
pegs, endpins, and tailpieces are referred to as a group.Sometimes less scrupulous dealers try to pass off an inferior cello by using fittings that are not of good quality.The pegs should not be too tight or loose because they will turn and stay in tune easily.The ends of them should be flush with the scroll head.Endpins are available in 18 or 20 inch sizes and a variety of metals.The tailpiece should be the right size for the instrument and should come with a fine tuning device, as this reduces the weight.
Step 19: There is a sound post.
Look through the f-hole to locate the sound post.You want to make sure that it's positioned correctly and uncracked.It should be behind the right bridge foot.It should not affect the f-hole's shape.
Step 20: You can use a trusted mail order firm.
Although it is strongly suggested that you buy a cello, you can also purchase them online.You can find an internet merchant that sells cellos.At least one person on the staff should be a cello specialist.
Step 21: There are cello communities online.
There are many online communities for buying and selling cellos as well as getting in touch with other cellists.Uvcello.org and Usedviolins.com both have a classified section.You can check out Facebook communities like Cello Community International.The hosts of these communities do not screen, authorize, or ensure authenticity of the offers being made.
Step 22: If possible avoid auction sites.
The last place you want to look for a musical instrument is an auction site.It is more likely that you will end up spending a lot of money on an item that is not true.If you are interested in buying a cello on one of these sites, you should have someone with an experienced eye look at the listing's details, photos, and help you ask the sellers questions.Many of the cheap cellos you can find on these sites are Chinese with poor quality strings, bridges and tail pieces that are heavy and cheap.The words "master" are misleading and may be included in the listings.
Step 23: Beware of low prices.
If you are buying from a store website or an auction listing, beware of prices that are too good to be true.Although the exact number seems to be in dispute ($700 or $1000) the general consensus of experts is that the cheaper you go, the more likely you are to end up with a piece of junk that will experience problems down the line.The neck could separate from the body if the wood is uncured.Even if you spend the extra money to get the instrument set up in a good shop, you will have to pay more money later if it can even be fixed after the damage has been done.
Step 24: Don't judge a listing on appearances.
You want to find a cello that has been around for a long time and has opened up its sound.It's not possible to tell if the item is older because antiquing methods in almost every country cellos are good enough to trick many beginners.Chunks and scratches can be put into the surface.
Step 25: Know what to look for in a description.
If you insist on doing your shopping online, you have to look for the information you need to make a correct choice.You can find out when it was produced and what woods it's made of.If you can't find the information to make a good assessment, contact the seller for more information.If you're buying a violin from a seller like Reuning.com, you should ask if the seller has a certificate of authenticity, or if they have a special maker.Don't make a purchase without knowing all the details.You should find another place to buy a cello if the seller doesn't want to be honest.
Step 26: Check for return and warranty policies.
If the item is damaged in transit or if you decide it doesn't suit you, be sure to check the return policies of the store you buy from.You will want to find out if there is any kind of warranty made by the seller.
Step 27: Purchase additional supplies.
When buying in a store, you will need to buy other items like a bow, case, extra strings, and the like.If you are looking for the cheapest cellos, you should not expect them to be included unless they are listed on the web site.
Step 28: Upon arrival, inspect the cello.
You will want to make sure that the item didn't sustain any damage during transit.If there are pieces that have loosened or fallen off while the instrument is being shipped, be sure to get someone experienced, like your teacher or a shop, to put it together again.The soundpost needs to be in the correct position before you attempt to play or tighten the strings.
Step 29: Renting for small children is a good idea.
A very young musician is not the ideal person to buy a cello for.As elementary school students, young children grow about 212 inches in a year.The cello's size is one of the things that determines whether or not you should buy it.Renting a cello will allow you to avoid having to buy a brand new cello within six months or a year.
Step 30: Take your skill level into account.
Are you new to playing the cello?Do you think you'll continue playing the instrument in the future?Do you want to play the cello professionally or just play it for fun?If you don't know if you will continue to play the cello for a long time, then renting a cello is a better option.
Step 31: You should consider your budget.
For a good fractional, teachers advise students spend no less than $700, and a full-sized cello for an adult will be at least $2000.It is not a good instrument to be less expensive.Renting is the better option if you can't afford to buy a cello.