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AIBU?

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Original poster

Violin or cello

31 replies

Saschka · 07/08/2023 22:10

Posted for traffic - if there’s a music board I can’t find it.

DS’s school gives them the opportunity to learn either cello or violin in year 2 (a charity provides tuition and loans them an instrument). This is obviously a fantastic opportunity, and I’d really like DS to stick with it.

They get to pick the instrument. DS doesn’t know which one to pick. He likes the sound quality of both. I play the piano but I’ve never played a string instrument, so I don’t know which one to choose. I’ve considered things like the size of a cello etc, and I’m not really interested in the relative future orchestra potential of each instrument - this is a hobby.

He is not a child with a huge amount of patience for making mistakes - he’s bright, lots of things come quite easily to him, and he has to be encouraged to stick at things that he can’t do easily first time. So I’m a bit worried he’ll try an instrument like the violin, make a horrible squeaky noise, and not want to persevere.

So, which instrument has the quickest learning curve to making a decent sound? Once he is making some sort of noise with it, he’ll probably stick with it. I just want him to get over that initial “I can’t do this” stage as quickly as possible and enjoy making sounds on it.

YABU - cello
YANBU - violin

OP posts:
cardibach · 07/08/2023 22:13

Cello. The sound of practice will be less grating for being lower pitched.

ManxRhyme · 07/08/2023 22:15

For sound cello. For logistics though I'd go with violin. Transporting a cello to school weekly is a pain in the bum.

Flittingcandlewick · 07/08/2023 22:17

Cello. But only because I LOVE the sound and tone

BrunchBunch · 07/08/2023 22:17

Cello.. More ergonomic position that violin, nicer low sound, good bass lines but often still get melody in orchestra.

Trivium4all · 07/08/2023 22:17

It's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question, tbh. I'd probably go with cello, but a bit for "future potential" reasons: bass instrument players are valued in many types of ensemble/musical styles, so he'd never be short of people to play with. Either way, if he does stick with it for a little while, he should still be able to transfer to the other one, if he does prefer it later, with some skills transferring well.

LorraineInSpain · 07/08/2023 22:18

I’m biased, but cello.

Violin is admittedly easier to transport but there isn’t a much worse sound than beginner violinists.

ShitaBrick · 07/08/2023 22:18

I play the cello, my sister played the violin. The cello sounded much better in the earliest stages.

He will likely start without the bow, plucking the strings whilst he gets used to where the notes are. Then he will move on to
using the bow.

He will need a spike holder for the cello to protect the floor.

If he keeps it up he will likely need a larger instrument - I suspect he will be loaned a half size one.

Learn how to tune it, it’s not hard and will help his practice enormously if the strings are in tune to start with.

Mousehoel · 07/08/2023 22:19

I played both. Cello is less grating. Violin is far more portable.

Soapboxqueen · 07/08/2023 22:19

Violin.

I played cello at school as did DD recently. Same issue. It's a pain in the arse transportation wise.

It also requires more space and set up to play which is a faff when you try to encourage instrument practise.

LittleMG · 07/08/2023 22:19

Ex Music teacher here 😊 I would say that both will be similar in terms of difficulty as you have to learn finger placement by ear to some extent. It’s a great opportunity though, I’d put a vote in for violin purely because he’s a child and it’s smaller and easier to carry 😂

LostMySocks · 07/08/2023 22:19

I have a son that plays each instrument. They both tried several different instruments at the music centre open day and decided their favourite.
If possible get him to try both and see which he likes.
Cello sounds less squeaky in early practice but if he sticks with it is a pain to transport anywhere...
Both take a good couple of years with regular practice to produce something vaguely pleasant to hear....

SoftSheen · 07/08/2023 22:24

I love the sound of a cello.

However, consider firstly, the difficulty of transporting a cello to and from school (or anywhere else), and secondly, the cost of buying a cello at some point down the line if DS really takes to it. Whereas a beginner's violin starts at around £200, a cello is several thousand pounds. (For these reasons, my own DS learns the violin!).

NeverDropYourMooncup · 07/08/2023 22:37

Cello. Your ears, the neighbours' ears, everybody within earshot will thank you for it.

And lower register instruments are the best - they aren't seen as 'star' instruments, so don't get as much love when they have so much warmth, richness and expression.

amicissimma · 07/08/2023 22:45

My DC tried both and ended up with the cello. Lugging it about was a pain, specially as we went up through the sizes.

Abandoned it after leaving school, but has recently got interested again and bought an electric one which is much easier to transport, can be played with ear/headphones and can play with a backing track, which is quite rewarding.

So, even if you go with the cello, you are not condemned to forever having a great bulky instrument taking up half your living room.

Can you hire/borrow one of each over the summer so he can get a feel for them? Or, at least, find some recordings to listen to.

Ozgirl75 · 07/08/2023 22:53

Cello. I have two sons, one played violin and one plays the cello. Everything about the cello is lovely! Sounds really nice etc. The violin is awful for ages unless you practice all the time.

ReviewingTheSituation · 07/08/2023 23:02

I played the cello at school. It went with me on the bus with no problem, and used to get driven around in our Mini (proper old Mini, not a new fangled BMW Mini). It went in the passenger seat and I went in the back - until I learnt to drive, of course! And that was in a hard, fibreglass case.

So much nicer than the violin, and far fewer cellists around so it's easier to get into ensembles etc. I played in the orchestra/band for quite a few school productions that my violin playing friends couldn't, as they were overrun with violonists.

pumpkintart · 07/08/2023 23:07

My son started the cello in year 2 and really enjoys it. Provided you have a half reasonable size car and can either get it in the boot, front seat or put a back seat down transport isn't too bad.

Definitely makes a nice sound than a violin or viola at the start

TheFallenMadonna · 07/08/2023 23:07

Cello. Yes, they sound great etc etc, but also... a small child carrying a cello like a backpack is adorable.

SuperiorM · 07/08/2023 23:08

Cello, for sure

SuperiorM · 07/08/2023 23:10

TheFallenMadonna · 07/08/2023 23:07

Cello. Yes, they sound great etc etc, but also... a small child carrying a cello like a backpack is adorable.

Large instruments to carry, ideal if your child not much of a cyclist. Large brass in our case

AuntieObnoxious · 07/08/2023 23:33

DS took cello, DD took violin. They chose own instruments but I much preferred the cello, although DD has played for longer.

SM4713 · 07/08/2023 23:39

Is Viola an option at all???

A friend has a daughter who was doing extremely well at violin and had scholarships for her prestigious school. They were advised that there were far fewer requests for scholarships and more demand in orchestras for a viola player than violinists. I have no first hand knowledge other than via my friend, but would seem easier to cart around too than a celo.

Original poster
Saschka · 07/08/2023 23:53

TheFallenMadonna · 07/08/2023 23:07

Cello. Yes, they sound great etc etc, but also... a small child carrying a cello like a backpack is adorable.

Ha, I can guarantee I will be the one lugging it to school 🙄

We usually walk, but it’s only 10 mins away so mildly annoying to carry it but not a huge burden.

OP posts:
Original poster
Saschka · 07/08/2023 23:54

Looks like consensus is cello - which is what I was leaning towards as well.

Unfortunately no opportunity to try either instrument in advance, and no option to play anything except violin or cello - I’d pick piano given a completely free choice. I assume if he regrets whichever he picks, he can swap.

OP posts:
Solmum1964 · 08/08/2023 00:04

SoftSheen · 07/08/2023 22:24

I love the sound of a cello.

However, consider firstly, the difficulty of transporting a cello to and from school (or anywhere else), and secondly, the cost of buying a cello at some point down the line if DS really takes to it. Whereas a beginner's violin starts at around £200, a cello is several thousand pounds. (For these reasons, my own DS learns the violin!).

There's a company called DJM Music who have cellos starting around £500. My son had one from there when we bought him his first one.

We were also able to save more money (I think the VAT) by the school ordering it for us. It was a long time ago (circa 20 years), so that may not be the case anymore.