Some people think of the cello as the bigger and less popular version of the violin. Actually, they differ in a lot of ways. For one, the cello's notes are two octaves lower that those of the violin's. Two, you play the cello by placing it between your knees in an upright position.
If you are really interested with this huge stringed instrument and decide to try your hands with its bow and chords, you might be wondering what kind of school or class you should get into to master the instrument. There are two kinds of cello lessons you can choose from: the traditional cello music school and Suzuki school.
In the traditional method, the student gets to learn about music reading, chord playing and proper bow handling all at once. The student is often not exposed to real musical pieces in months span or sometimes, even years. Instead, he has to practice classical pieces especially tailored for students at the start. This kind of method would surely fit older people
The Suzuki method, on the other hand, is suitable for very young students. Introduced by a Japanese violinist in the 20th century, the method applies the mother tongue philosophy wherein a child adapts to the language he gets to hear regularly.
In Suzuki method, the students are made to listen to several music pieces for a certain period of time and eventually try to copy these tunes. Listening and participating are given more importance in this method, rather than learning to read notes.
Once you have chosen the method that fits you, the next thing you have to think about is the set-up of your cello class. There are three options for you: a group class, a solo session, or online classes.
A group class is a good way for you to meet and interact with other cellists-to-be. This way, you can exchange ideas about cello and make new friends too! This is difficult for some people though, especially those who are timid or have low concentration.
If you don't want to be in a group, then it is advisable to have a solo session and find a personal teacher. Through this, you will have the full attention of the teacher without anybody else holding back your questions. Having a personal teacher can also give you time flexibility, where you just have to set a schedule that is most convenient for both of you. You may also arrange to go to your teacher's training studio or have him come to your home to teach you.
The last option you have is learning through online courses. As a cello student, you will find a lot of materials to help you online. Examples are musical pieces, instructions and even video trainings. This method is fine if your schedule is really unpredictable. But for some this might not work, especially if you want immediate and hands-on answers to your questions.
The location and reputation of the school should also be given consideration when choosing the right cello school. You can also conduct some research to find out which of them offer what you need. As long as you know what you're looking for, it will be easy to choose the right cello music school for you.