Shopping for a cello can be a difficult and costly decision. This guide will give you some pointers on what to look for and how to avoid wasting money on the wrong instrument for your needs. If you are buying a cello for your child, you may want to consider renting until they have learned to play the instrument. Children often lose interest in hobbies quickly, so you do not want to make a major financial commitment until you are sure they will stick with it. Although, there is an active resale market for used musical instruments, so you will probably be able to recover some of the money spent on your cello if this does happen.

Avoid cellos made of plywood or other cheap materials.

The ideal wood is spruce for the front of the instrument and maple for the rear. A proper cello body is arched in the middle, with minor indentations at the edges. The best cellos are made of wood that has been aged slightly, so a used instrument may sound better than a new one. If you are buying a used cello, check the body for any cracks or worn edges. Make sure the instrument still has some overlapping edging around the lower ribs. A cello with cracks may still sound fine if the cracks have been repaired properly with glue.

Cellos and other musical instruments are difficult to shop for online because you are not able to hear the instrument.

Visit a local music store and test out several models of cello before you buy anything. Ask your child's school or a local musician if you need a recommendation to a store. They usually have certain dealers they work with and can assure you that the dealer will be reputable. Get the right size for you. Cellos for small children are available in a ¼ size. They are also available in half, three quarter and 4/4 sizes (the last, for adults.)

Once at the music store, pluck each string to listen to the sound.

You want a cello that resonates clearly and carries across the room. Have the dealer pluck the strings for you while you stand far away to test the carry of the notes. A good test of a cello's sound is to play ascending scales, listening for the change in tone with each change of the string. After you have listened to one cello, try the same notes on a different model to compare the sound. Subtle differences in tone are often more obvious when compared to another instrument.

You should also test out different bows as this will change the sound of your cello.

As with the instruments, play the same scales with a variety of bows to compare the tone. You want the bow to be the proper weight for you and your instrument so you can easily maneuver it along the strings. A bow that is too heavy will deaden the sound of your cello, while a bow that is too light will make it sound thin. A proper balance between the two is key for the best tone.

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Originally posted 2008-11-26 05:26:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Acoustic Musical Instruments, Buyer's Guide, Cellos

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