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Question: If you can play the violin can you play the cello!?
I just wanted to know if, not considering differences in volume and pitch if you could still play music on a violin if you didn't learn but could play the cello!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Technically you can play because you have the basics of string fundamentals from your violin training!. But just as violin technique is different from viola technique, cello technique is moreso!. Learning to read the music isn't the problem!. So like someone else said, the biggest difference or obstacle isn't the different clefs (we read bass, tenor and treble) or even the strings, but the technique!. The vibrato is 'easy' to learn badly!. Well, it takes a while!. When you approach cello you CAN'T approach it like the violin!. I'm learning the violin right now and I have to constantly remind myself not to think of cello because the technique is different!.

One example is bow pressure!. You can make a sound simply by drawing the bow across a violin string!. You do that on a cello you won't get anything except a shimmer of sound!. You have to first apply pressure, get the bow to grip the string before you can release and have sound!.

So yes, you could teach yourself based on the fundamentals, but its highly ill-advised!. I have a violin teacher showing me the ropes!.

Good luck!.

~LisaWww@QuestionHome@Com

Well, of course you CAN play the cello -- just because you play one instrument, doesn't mean you can't play another!.

However, they're quite different!. You can't just pick up a cello and begin to play it!.

The cello is played in a different clef, with different note intervals, different techniques, etc!.

If you wish to play the cello, you'll most likely need to begin from the beginning, just as you did with the violin!.



Please note, the question isn't quite clear!. First, you asked whether you can play the vello if you can already play the violin, then you asked if you can play the violin if you already play the cello!.


Just the same, either way, you'd need to start from the beginning!. It would be advantageous in the sense that you'd already know a lot of musical terms -- but playing the instrument itself would require you to begin again!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I play the violin and purchased a cello earlier this year, and found very quickly the similarities!. Vibrato is easier on a cello! :D The technique and spacing of the fingers on the fingerboard is different, and the bow hand moves differently!.

So there are similarities and differences!.
I believe you have to practice the cello to get the hang of it, but having played the violin will definitely help!Www@QuestionHome@Com

The first instrument you learn is always the hardest, picking up a second one becomes a much easier prospect due to your previous experience (especially if the instrument is in the same family)!.
The strings are pitched differently from violin (G-D-A-E) lowest to highest
Cello= (C-G-D-A) lowest to highest

Then there is the issue of reading bass clef for Cello (eventually tenor clef and alto clef too)!.

Other than the issue of weight, i find cello much more resonent and lyrical to play than violin!. (Plus my cats do not try to claw me to death as they do when i attempt violin)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Hi!. I'm a violinist who has been playing in an orchestra for quite some time!. I have tried playing my friend's cello only to find it completely different from the violin!.

For one, your fingers have to stretch further than on the violin!.

Secondly, you have to read notes in the bass key instead of in the treble key!.

Thirdly, the placing of the instrument makes you get confused in terms of fingering!.

It would definately be easier if you were playing the violin before, you would certainly catch up faster!. But if you want to be a pro in playing the cello, it's the same hard work that you have to put into learning the cello as you did with the violin!. If you can master it in a short time, then kudos to you!Www@QuestionHome@Com

The main difference is your ability to read Treble/Bass clef music (if you play from reading sheet music)

I started playing violin when I was 6 (reading music) and when I was in high school I could play some of the cello parts from listening to the melody/harmonies!. I had to really look at the sheet music to visually understand where the notes were!. Everyone is different!. It's just a transition!.!.!.!.

So, most likely yes you'll be able to transition between the two if you practice!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i saw someone on youtube who used to play the violin
but bought a cello
and in only three weeks, she was playing cello suzuki vol!. 3 stuff
which would have taken a long time to play if she didn't already know how to play violin or any string instruments

so i guess it would be easier
but there are some differences between the cello and the violin
the way you hold your bow is different
and the fingering is different too
etcetcWww@QuestionHome@Com

Ya i think its perfectly alrite if u learn the cello after learning how to play the voilin!. Well having personal experience i think if u know how to play the voilin well cello wont b that difficult 4 u just the way 2 hold the instrument and adjusting urself to the pitch would b a little problem!. although a little guidance could work wonders!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I play the cello and that in itself doesnt really help with knowing how to play the violin or visa versa but what does help is you can already read music all there is to do is learn the differences in the clefs and then that makes it easier!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The initial start is easier, because you already have the notion of string playing developed!.Www@QuestionHome@Com