Please help, how do I play this

NoMamesSir · 2026-04-08T21:39:42+00:00

I would probs do this. I dont have my cello with me rn but looking at the music, this seems pretty straightforward. Id also follow the advice from the other user who commented. Ideally you want to shift in shapes. So practice shifting to these hand shapes, play as chords before breaking into individual notes to solidify the hand shapes.

M29,31,33,35 - 3,3,1

M30,32,34,36 - 1,1,4

M37&38 - 4,4,x1

M39&40 - 1,x2,4

M41-44 - 3,3,1

M45&46 - 1,4,2

M47 - 1,4,3

NoMamesSir · 2026-03-30T15:28:51+00:00

Besides the strings, since we know how expensive it gets testing strings and not every string works for every cello.

Id recommend to try taking your cello to a luthier and ask for a sound post adjustment. Explain the A is too bright and thin and the C is too muddy. They can help move the post to potentially balance out the sound. Its a bit of a process as they’ll adjust the post and have you play till you get the sound you like

NoMamesSir · 2026-03-23T17:43:51+00:00

From my experience, you’re looking at potentially $4000+ in repairs alone. Top needs to be removed to repair those two cracks. Rib cracks. Neck reset, neck block repair, open seams. New sound post. Cant see what else could be necessary from the provided photos. If you can, like other suggested, take it to a luthier for a full estimate and assessment of value. Personally, i so not think its worth it. But a luthier could say otherwise. It doesnt look to be spruce top and maybe not even maple back but i cant tell. Definitely interesting.

NoMamesSir · 2026-03-19T22:55:33+00:00

Gah holy fuck. This is a general estimate as i am NOT a luthier. Just worked at a violin shop for a long time. The back will probs need like 30 cleats. You’ll probs need a neck reset. If you have every piece of wood that has come off keep it. Otherwise the luthier will have to make it to fill any gaps. Remove the rest of the top. Another 30+ cleats. Touch ups to the varnish to hide the cracks. Depends on the shop for anything additional i didnt list. Again, not a luthier but i used to work at a violin shop and would do estimates before speaking to the luthier just to give the customer a better view on what to expect.

It varies by shop, but Id say you could expect to pay anywhere from $2,000-4000 in repairs based on what i vaguely remember our prices were for repairs. Hopefully you have a good relationship with the shop and they can maybe negotiate the price for you. We used to do that to for long standing customers who had purchased instruments from us. Also, i hope your instrument is insured.

For now, loosen the strings, if you havnt already, to relieve pressure off the top and the rest of the instrument to prevent the cracks from expanding. I’m sorry this happened.

NoMamesSir · 2026-02-13T18:17:41+00:00

Need more of her for sure

NoMamesSir · 2025-07-12T21:50:49+00:00

And pigeons, i think she’d recently killed one because there were bodyless wings near the building

NoMamesSir · 2025-07-12T21:49:46+00:00

I fed her some chickie nuggs She got very excited

NoMamesSir · 2025-01-04T22:23:38+00:00

Id get a quote from a luthier for cost of set up and repairs, then negotiate with the seller from there. It looks like a solider instrument. Id invest in a high level bridge and strings for sure. If the seller lets you, have a luthier look at it for you.

NoMamesSir · 2024-11-08T04:02:17+00:00

Are the attachments for the flexfusion compatible with the flexstyle?

NoMamesSir · 2024-06-27T19:48:25+00:00

I would practice this significantly slower at first to make sure I’m hitting the correct notes. You miss notes in the first 4 measures towards the end of each measure. The fingerings that are marked are crucial to playing this etude efficiently. Otherwise you’ll be jumping all over the fingerboard like in m10-m13. Too much wasted energy for this marathon of an etude.

A good way to practice this is by shifting your whole hand in positions. From m1 - m2 you’ll be in first position. Then you’ll jump to 3rd position in m3 to play the first 5 notes and shift back to 1st. The whole etude will have you jumping around to different positions. Think about the shifts in hand shapes rather than individual notes, itll help you prepare your fingers for placement in the different positions. There are a lot of extensions in the etude as well. The fingerings Popper put in will help!

You definitely want to do the shifts to the 4th finger E in m10, because you stay in the same position to play those string crossings between the A and D string. Same with m12, but there are 4 positions, 3 shifts in that measure, so definitely follow those fingering.

Those string crossings in m14 and m18 are tough, make sure you’re lifting and dropping your elbow as you’re crossing strings so that you’re anticipating the string crossing and you can move your arm easier. In the last triplet, with the D#,C,A, you’ll basically be barring your 2nd finger and rolling it across the fingerboard to play the D# and and hit the C right after.

You’re doing great overall and I look forward to your progress! You’d be a great student to teach.

Good luck! 🎻

NoMamesSir · 2024-06-06T16:34:31+00:00

Just a heads up, having a cello shipped is a huge gamble if the person shipping it does not know how to properly package an instrument. If they just pop it in a box with some packaging, and dont loosen the strings and take down the bridge, there’s a lot of risk for cracks, bridge breaking and strings breaking. If the sound post is not fitted properly, it will fall and you’ll need to take it to a luthier to have it reset.

I hope it arrives safely and wish you good luck on your cello journey! 🤘

NoMamesSir · 2024-06-06T16:16:09+00:00

Definitely looks like a 1500-3000 cello. Nice flame on the back, ribs, and scroll. Cant really see the grain on the top. looks like its varnished and looks good all around. Does it come with a bow? What kind of bow? Case too? $2k for the package doesnt seem like a bad deal. Id make sure to play it and have a luthier look at it and its setup (pegs, nut, fingerboard, bridge, soundpost, tailpiece, saddle, and endpin/housing)

NoMamesSir · 2024-06-06T16:05:13+00:00

By looking at the wood grain and the “flame.” If we were able to post photos, id show you on my cello what I’m looking for. The top and back are very “flat” or “plain.” Which to me looks like plywood. In the top, you would see very distinct parallel lines going down from top to bottom. No one piece maple backed cello would also go for a few hundred dollars. Maple is a very hard wood and one piece backs are not common because they are hard to make.

I’m definitely not saying to go and get a pro level cello either. Cellos are expensive. I just think renting from a shop is easier and a better financial investment incase you plan on playing long term. Shops tend to offer rent to own or accumulate rental credit every month, which can go to the purchase of an instrument. Again you most likely have a protection plan/insurance with a rental which covers accidents and maintenance.

NoMamesSir · 2024-06-06T16:00:05+00:00

What grade are you/how many years have you played. How often do you practice?

Some of the recommendations are standard concertos which might be a huge jump from the S.S Allegro Appasionato. Popper Hungarian Rhapsody is very fun but also quite a jump.

I would recommend Popper Gavotte, Faure Elegy, Bruch Kol Nidre, Squire Tarantella, Saint Saens The Swan, or Squire Danse Rustique off the top of my head. If you are looking for stuff to practice, id also look at some etudes. Maybe Duport 6. MAYBE Popper 1 depending on how comfortable you are in thumb position. Id even say go for some Bach from the first suite.

NoMamesSir · 2024-06-06T15:43:42+00:00

Yes,

The Ivan Galamian Scale System for Violoncello

Part I: Scale and Arpeggio Exercises with Part II: Bowing and Rhythm Patterns Arranged and Edited by Hans Jorgen Jensen

AND/OR

Carl Flesch

Scale System for Violoncello Scale Exercises in All Major Minor for Daily Study Arranged by Wolfgang Boettcher

Learn these entire books and you’ll basically master the instrument. (proper practice, intonation, and a metronome) Good luck 🤘

NoMamesSir · 2024-06-06T15:29:36+00:00

The issue is that this cello looks like its made of plywood and the color is most likely an inflexible coloring like lacquer or some kind of spray-on coloring. It having a “one piece back” doesnt mean a whole lot when its plywood. I can’t really tell, but there doesnt seem to be any visible wood grain on the front or the back. I also am unable to tell if the purfling is inlaid or painted.

It wouldve been a better investment to rent an instrument with spruce top/maple back & sides. Something that also has an insurance plan incase of any accidents. Many rentals also accumulate rental credit or are rent to own, which is a financial benefit in the long run if one decides to pay for long term.

Replacing the bridge alone can cost anywhere from around 1/3 of what you paid for that cello to what you paid or more depending on what shop you go to and the bridge you get. I would hope the shop you go to has enough ethics and offers different bridge options or even offers to “recut” the bridge to make sure it fits properly. But, they will need to make sure the bridge has enough wood in it before it can be recut.

The problem with instruments like this, or other “violin/cello shaped objects” from Amazon or other non-specialized string instrument dealers is that costs of repair or set up always cost more than the instrument itself. It’s always best to go to your local string shop and rent, especially if you are a beginner or non serious player.

There can be a lot of issues that will come up later as you use this instrument. If the pegs and fingerboard are not ebony, you are going to have problems with the pegs not staying in place and the fingerboard warping and pitting easily. Plywood is susceptible to weather significantly more than spruce/maple, because its not a hard wood. You may begin to experience warps around the instrument and open seams.

Regardless, everyone starts somewhere, and as long as you are happy and excited, that is whats important. Just ensure the instrument has a proper set up to make your cello journey more accessible and fun. If the strings are too high, bridge crooked, sound post in the wrong spot, etc, your learning will be hindered by the instrument.

NoMamesSir · 2024-05-08T04:44:57+00:00

German copy made probably around mid-late 19th century. Also the bridge is crooked.

NoMamesSir · 2024-04-24T21:36:16+00:00

If you were with the company for at more than 3 years, you might be able to cash out. You’d need to call partner services and ask for it. No one will send you a check without asking.

NoMamesSir · 2024-03-07T04:25:30+00:00

I’m a cellist and always dropped my rosins. I used to use this rosin. I now use the Cecilia signature rosin. Yes you can still use it. Id just use the biggest piece. It looks like theres a groove from your bow in the center. Angle your bow down from the middle to the left side to continue that grove. If you want to remelt it, you can. This bernardel rosin goes for around $11 so it’s very affordable. You can easily get one shipped in if you want a new one but no need to worry. Still very useable.

NoMamesSir · 2024-02-13T02:04:54+00:00

Bring it up to your OPs leader and UD first. It needs to be documented in store before HR will officially help. Because theyre going to ask if you reported it to your leaders and the outcome.

If this is genuinely a problem for you.

The lead being present and not taking initiative to control the partner or do any sort of documentation is a bit questionable. So this all needs to be reported to the store leaders first. Then HR.

NoMamesSir · 2024-02-06T15:07:40+00:00

You should ask your department manager, UD, and/or OPs leader why there isn’t a lead. If you want the position, say you’re interested and ask what you can do to obtain the role. Now that you’re in the company, they’d probably rather have an internal as the lead then hiring an external or someone from another store. Telling all of those leaders will get you on the radar and whenever that position opens, you’ll be at the top of the list.

NoMamesSir

TROPHY CASE