Transporting cello to school

My daughter took her cello to school by train from 11. Not too much walking involved, fortunately, but she did have to change train which made life more difficult. At that age she had a 3/4 size but in a full size case with wheels. It wasn't very satisfactory as the wheeled cases are so heavy and she was tiny until she was about 15.

We ended up getting a lightweight case she could carry on her back, but it was difficult for her to manage that and a heavy backpack.

She often left her cello at school to cut down on the journeys (and the amount she could practice at home)!

I've been wondering about exactly the same thing. My dd also plays a 3/4 size and it's heavy for her. I carried it to a lesson the other day, and it wasn't comfortable for me.

I think we're going to have to walk her in on orchestra day (she has lessons at home usually so she's not yet had to take it out regularly), and meet her off the bus.

It's a good idea to ask about borrowing one for orchestra though, thanks.

Some kids in my school hire a spare instrument from the local Music Hub which they then leave in school. Their own instrument stays at home. It's not the cheapest option, but works well for them, although the store room can get a bit crowded!

Dd had food tech, games, flute lessons and needed to carry more books than any other day on a Wednesday (plus her flute books)

Mine has a soft case with rucksack straps - 12 year old girl with a 3/4 size also. She was fine walking with it, and taking it on the bus - it had a seat to itself on the bus. She did look at her brother with his flute slightly longingly!

My ds's best friend plays the piccolo. He is very smug about it.....

I played the cello in secondary and used to carry it the three mile walk to school. I had a case with straps which was passed with bits of fleece i think. My lessons were on the same day as cookery so I used to have to carry a basket of ingredients as well ! How I wished I had played the violin instead. Was fine though.

A back pack or wheels sound great! I had to carry my cello 1.5 miles to school twice a week by the little handle. Plus flute and normal bag.

11 yo or 13? If she will be 11 you may have to consider dropping her off and picking her up until she gets a bit bigger. Or possibly just meeting her at the train station?

Ah, D's clarinet also looking a good shout. At least with cello she'll always get a gig tho ;) And yy a mate of DD's played the harp, her family had to buy a new car!

Dd can't think of any cello or db players at her school but says people at her Saturday music lessons walk in with their cellos no problem. Leaving at school for two days may be the shout.

It’s a pain but you get used to it. If you really don’t have any way to drive her, I would invest in a more expensive hard but light case. Never mind the kid, they need the exercise. The cello gets banged up and out of tune.

Oops posted to soon. In my experience, the most important factor is the colour, and how cool it looks

https://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/GSJ-Cellissimo-Violin-Case-4-4-Powder-Blue/Q2P?origin=product-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIluD5tpXK3AIVypPtCh3kHQwpEAQYBCABEgIWCDD_BwE

Rucksack-style lightweight hard case is the answer, OP.

Your DD will stop noticing the weight very soon if she is a keen cellist. I recommend buying the full-size case and using foam padding until such time as she is ready for a 4/4 cello.

DD played the cello (3/4 size) in Y7.

She walked the >1 mile each way with it in a backpack-style case on her back, plus her school rucksack slung on her front. It was a pain, but it was entirely do-able.

Mother of now full size cellist here! I drove my son to school. So no problems. I suggest that she practices every day after school at school. Somehow, take cello home for weekends and get it back Monday morning.

Can the cello be left at school if lessons and orchestra are on different days, as long as its not Monday and Friday, and she just doesn't practice at home on the days it's at school?

I used to have to take a double bass in and was dropped off at school on those days. I carried it on its strap everywhere.

That's why I made dd play flute

Only other thing is to see if it can be kept at school and maybe she can do lunchtime or after school practice?

I had a soft case with rucksack straps. You can pad it out a bit with towels or a duvet front and back.

Takes me back, so it does!...

watching with interest. DD2 is a cellist and, at 8, already on a 1/2 size. She already has to lug it about a fair bit. We did get a case with wheels but have been advised that, even with the padding etc it's not wise to pull around a decent quality cello because they get bashed about... So we've gone back to her carrying it on her back.

I’ll be taking dd to school when she needs to take her cello in.

Gig bag with rucksack straps is a good option if dc can cope with the size of it otherwise (my dd is tiny, only just moved up to 1/2 size which is now huge for her to lug about!).

My friend had a trolley type thing that she strapped her case too - like a wheels shopping back without the canvas shopping bag bit.