| Are you parents getting ready to have their child start | | | | And consider future trade-in, trade-up or sales value. If |
| cello lessons? This article is for you! Before you run | | | | you buy something cheap from someone who is not |
| off and buy an instrument for your budding Yo Yo Ma, | | | | reputable now you may be stuck with it down the |
| why not rent? Or maybe your school has an | | | | road. |
| instrument you can borrow to get started. No matter | | | | Getting into music is an expensive proposition. It is also |
| how enthused you or your child may be it's better to | | | | one of the most valuable gifts you'll ever give your |
| start on the conservative side. No parent knows how | | | | child--the exposure to and love of music. So go into it |
| long this interest will last. | | | | as prepared as possible. If they stick with it you'll be |
| Another suggestion: speak with your future cello | | | | buying a lot of music which isn't cheap. You'll be paying |
| teacher before you go and try to do this on your own! | | | | for lessons with good teachers who are experts on |
| Honestly, unless you've been through it yourself you will | | | | the instrument. That costs, too. You'll be driving them to |
| be shocked at what a decent bow, cello and case | | | | rehearsals and sacrificing the occasional baseball |
| cost. And don't assume they come together as a set. | | | | game to make a concert. You'll be pushing them to |
| This is not necessarily the case! | | | | practice. And someday, if they stick with it, you'll be |
| You need to buy or rent the right size instrument for | | | | looking at helping them buy or finance an instrument |
| your son or daughter. They will do better with an | | | | where the bow itself can cost thousands of dollars. |
| instrument that fits them properly. A violin shop is the | | | | Good (not famous) professionals pay easily |
| best place to go if there is one in the region. Again, | | | | $10-$40,000 for a cello without blinking. Lucky ones can |
| check with the private teacher or contact the music | | | | afford to pay more. Mine is only worth a Honda. It's a |
| department at your school for help. | | | | challenge to find a good wood bow under $2,000 |
| If you can afford to rent or buy something other than | | | | these days. Don't drop your teeth, it's true! There are |
| the cheapest available, please do. The really cheap | | | | some good carbon fiber options though. Bows are |
| instruments sound that way. And it is enough of a | | | | more important than you might imagine so don't ignore |
| challenge for a child to sound good on a cello or any | | | | picking the best one you can in your price range. |
| other instrument without giving them the cheapest thing | | | | But you can buy a decent cello set for $2,000-$3,000... |
| around. | | | | not great, but pretty good. It depends what is available |
| And please, please, please... don't buy an instrument | | | | in your area. Set a price range and start looking. There |
| from the internet. I have seen the absolutely worst | | | | are also ways to deal with violin shops at a distance. |
| instruments show up because someone decided to | | | | They'll send you and instrument to try. Again, check |
| buy one this way. This is not true all the time, of | | | | with your teacher first. Chances are they have a |
| course. If you absolutely have to buy something online, | | | | relationship with a shop or dealer or maker already |
| be ready to take it to a violin shop or violin maker to | | | | and they will be happy to work with you. |
| get their assessment about the instrument's health and | | | | Good luck! |
| basic value before you commit to living with it. | | | | |