Never! So often I hear from people that they think they are too old to learn to play the cello. And that’s such a shame, because it’s really not true. Maybe it is true that children learn faster, but I have never had a child with whom I could pick a scale on the cello after two or three lessons. With adults this is no exception; if you have lessons from me, you have experienced this yourself if possible. With almost every adult who takes a trial lesson with me, I end up with Kummer’s open-stringing duet. With children I might succeed after 4 lessons. Adults learn this faster than children is my experience.
What does work to their advantage is that children have far fewer expectations of themselves. Adult pupils are often annoyed by their own noise and incompetence. Yet that’s part of it; making a nice tone grows after you’ve made ‘kilometres’ and ironed for hours and hours.
Think of how you started cycling when you were very young. That wasn’t easy either. Very wobbly and maybe you fell over and over again. As you made more and more flying hours you started to get better and at a certain moment you could cycle without side-wheels.
It’s conditioning, learning to iron well. Of course with the right focus and that focus adults have much more than children.
I find it disarming how shameless and self-assured children can be when they play their song loudly and incredibly falsely, possibly on the wrong chord. And afterwards look up proudly and say, “See, I’ve been practicing at home.” How different it is with adults. Now when I see how many of them develop effortlessly I often think ‘Count your blessings.’
Here are some benefits of adults learning to play the cello;
- They have already learned a trade and gone through many learning processes; that gives them a head start.
- They have a purpose and that motivates them to practice in a targeted way.
- All theoretical information about learning to read notes can be processed.
- I can say very directly what they are allowed to work on, because adults are used to constructive criticism.
- I never have to ask them if they want to practice a little more because they’re doing their best to do it in the best possible way.
- They subscribe to cello activities from the beginning. Whether or not in my practice or elsewhere, so that your development is pulled from all sides; positive!
- They used to play another instrument, often very well.
In my practice it’s the adults who progress the fastest. Some play Waggon wheels in 5 lessons and then they skip the Stepping Stones.
I can name ten pupils who started playing the cello after their 30st. And two years later, after having gone through Rick Mooney’s Position pieces and Sakom 3, they smoothly and cleanly change four positions. Handsome!
Are you considering playing the cello later in life? You’re welcome to join me. Here are my tips to you, cellist in spé.
- Set the step, stop looking for excuses and start looking now for…
- …hurray! The teacher who wants to teach adults, with pleasure.
- Give yourself a reachable goal.
- Enjoy everything that succeeds, those are your daily rewards.
Finally; read here the achievable top ten cello works you can learn to impress your friends 🙂
https://www.connollymusic.com/stringovation/10-cello-compositions-for-adult-beginners-to-wow-your-friends
For me, adults are welcome to learn to play the cello. Subscribe for a trial lesson via the agenda on the web-site.
Are you or do you know someone who, despite his age, would like to learn to play the cello and take a trial lesson?
Let him or her know and sign up via info@celloverkoop.nl.
