Your point about size is right on. It makes me sad to see a small person buy a full size bass or a 16"+ viola ... inevitably, after a couple years of playing with pain, the musician ends up requiring surgery to address carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger. If they keep forcing it, they eventually have to give up playing. It's interesting to hear you mention that most players should play a 7/8 size cello. I hadn't thought much about it before, but that's probably true. When my mother asked me for a few cello lessons, I was surprised to discover that her finger spread could barely reach the notes on a 1/2 size. She's a small lady, but I'd never before heard of an adult playing a fractional cello. I play a full size, but I have to work hard to get my extensions in tune. Perhaps I might be a better, more consistent player on a 7/8. One thing I'm not so sure on is the question of budget. Purchasing directly from a luthier is probably more reliable - I'd wager that Edgar likely prices his instruments based on their relative quality. But at stores which carry a diverse selection of instruments from various sources, I find price to be an unreliable indicator of quality. I spent hours and hours shopping for each of my personal instruments, time spent over days at different stores, especially at one particular store with a very large and diverse inventory. The viola I ended up choosing happened to be one of the most expensive ones they had. It had the tone I wanted - a luscious, intimate tone that is beautiful across registers. Just playing the instrument, it seems to guide my bow and refine my interpretation. It also happens to be a decorated instrument, which I don't really care about, but which no doubt contributed to the price. I wasn't looking to spend that much, but what can I say ... after playing it, no other instrument would do. However, after trying all the "master" cellos at the same store, I had not found any that I was satisfied with. The owner tried to talk some of them up, saying things like, "Oh trust me, good cellos are supposed to sound like that. The tone will continue to improve with age." Bah. On a whim, I asked to see some of their student-level cellos, and lo and behold, I found a beauty. The best cello in the shop happened to be at their cheapest price point. I almost felt guilty buying it. Whenever a student (or parent) thinks about buying an instrument, I now ask them to meet with me at the store. We'll talk about what kind of sound they're looking for, as there is a great deal of personal preference in that. We will talk about their budget, and sometimes that factor does influence their ultimate selection. Sometimes they'll even decide not to make a purchase - that it would be better to save up a little more money so they can buy a better forever-instrument in another year or two. I don't charge them for my time on these excursions, and I don't get commissions from the stores. I've just seen too many students spend a boatload of money on instruments that ultimately disappointed them. I'd rather donate a few hours of my life than lose the student a few months later because they regret their purchase and come to lose the joy in their playing 😞. And if we can find a higher quality instrument at a lower price, that's icing on the cake.
Damn, Salionshatterstar, you are so right with your nice detailed comment. That is the sad reality which makes it so difficult in most shops for most students. We would have great fun together. write me and eMail since I can ship instruments everywhere Edgar
6:09 Do different cellos of one line sound different? So, if someone was interested in one of these lines, would it make sense to try different instruments of that line to find the one he likes or would all of them sound more or less the same?
When the kids were ready to move up to 4/4 violin we made special trip to very well known violin shop. First question was, "What's your budget?" Was a great experience though. We've been happy with all our interactions with the company, and the kids love their violins.
Thank you for your kind feedback for the others here. Happy that you liked the visit and the instrument shopping here in my workshop. All the best Edgar
I would recommend, if possible, to only start searching when you have an idea of what you are looking for and what you don't want. When you know what you liked and disliked about your previous/ current instrument. And never buy as long as there are aspects about the prospective instrument that you strongly dislike. Never settle! Go on trying other instruments until you find one which you like in every aspect (okay, maybe settle for things like color).
Well you know, I work all day long because I love my work. Probably I make more than others. But after all life is rather a question to dot what you love and not what you should. Don't you think so? Thanks for your comment, it shows me that you love to watch RUclips videos as well beside working. All the best from Cremona Edgar
Your point about size is right on. It makes me sad to see a small person buy a full size bass or a 16"+ viola ... inevitably, after a couple years of playing with pain, the musician ends up requiring surgery to address carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger. If they keep forcing it, they eventually have to give up playing. It's interesting to hear you mention that most players should play a 7/8 size cello. I hadn't thought much about it before, but that's probably true. When my mother asked me for a few cello lessons, I was surprised to discover that her finger spread could barely reach the notes on a 1/2 size. She's a small lady, but I'd never before heard of an adult playing a fractional cello. I play a full size, but I have to work hard to get my extensions in tune. Perhaps I might be a better, more consistent player on a 7/8.
One thing I'm not so sure on is the question of budget. Purchasing directly from a luthier is probably more reliable - I'd wager that Edgar likely prices his instruments based on their relative quality. But at stores which carry a diverse selection of instruments from various sources, I find price to be an unreliable indicator of quality.
I spent hours and hours shopping for each of my personal instruments, time spent over days at different stores, especially at one particular store with a very large and diverse inventory. The viola I ended up choosing happened to be one of the most expensive ones they had. It had the tone I wanted - a luscious, intimate tone that is beautiful across registers. Just playing the instrument, it seems to guide my bow and refine my interpretation. It also happens to be a decorated instrument, which I don't really care about, but which no doubt contributed to the price. I wasn't looking to spend that much, but what can I say ... after playing it, no other instrument would do.
However, after trying all the "master" cellos at the same store, I had not found any that I was satisfied with. The owner tried to talk some of them up, saying things like, "Oh trust me, good cellos are supposed to sound like that. The tone will continue to improve with age." Bah. On a whim, I asked to see some of their student-level cellos, and lo and behold, I found a beauty. The best cello in the shop happened to be at their cheapest price point. I almost felt guilty buying it.
Whenever a student (or parent) thinks about buying an instrument, I now ask them to meet with me at the store. We'll talk about what kind of sound they're looking for, as there is a great deal of personal preference in that. We will talk about their budget, and sometimes that factor does influence their ultimate selection. Sometimes they'll even decide not to make a purchase - that it would be better to save up a little more money so they can buy a better forever-instrument in another year or two. I don't charge them for my time on these excursions, and I don't get commissions from the stores. I've just seen too many students spend a boatload of money on instruments that ultimately disappointed them. I'd rather donate a few hours of my life than lose the student a few months later because they regret their purchase and come to lose the joy in their playing 😞. And if we can find a higher quality instrument at a lower price, that's icing on the cake.
Damn, Salionshatterstar, you are so right with your nice detailed comment. That is the sad reality which makes it so difficult in most shops for most students. We would have great fun together.
write me and eMail since I can ship instruments everywhere
Edgar
6:09 Do different cellos of one line sound different? So, if someone was interested in one of these lines, would it make sense to try different instruments of that line to find the one he likes or would all of them sound more or less the same?
When the kids were ready to move up to 4/4 violin we made special trip to very well known violin shop. First question was, "What's your budget?" Was a great experience though. We've been happy with all our interactions with the company, and the kids love their violins.
Thank you for your kind feedback for the others here.
Happy that you liked the visit and the instrument shopping here in my workshop.
All the best
Edgar
What do you comment on the theory of Guarneri's not-so-good for beginners and better for soloists? (bow pressure)
I would recommend, if possible, to only start searching when you have an idea of what you are looking for and what you don't want. When you know what you liked and disliked about your previous/ current instrument. And never buy as long as there are aspects about the prospective instrument that you strongly dislike. Never settle! Go on trying other instruments until you find one which you like in every aspect (okay, maybe settle for things like color).
Small violist here... Can't play a big one.
also small viola can sound nice!
you talk a lot; you should work more and talk less!
me too - back working.
Wrong. His videos are very interesting from a string player’s perspecrive.
I thought so as well!
Thanks
Edgar
Well you know, I work all day long because I love my work. Probably I make more than others. But after all life is rather a question to dot what you love and not what you should. Don't you think so?
Thanks for your comment, it shows me that you love to watch RUclips videos as well beside working.
All the best from Cremona
Edgar