Is there a cello in my future?

One of the milestones of grade 5 at Kiddo’s school is the opportunity to take part in the strings program. Rather than a full band, the school supports a variety of stringed instruments: violins, violas, cellos and one bass.

Kiddo requested the cello because it would mean she could sit down while playing instead of trying to concentrate on bow movement, fingering and standing relatively still. My initial concern was that cellos are large and not easily transported back and forth for the necessary practice. My instinct was to try and talk her into a smaller instrument at which point I realized I was channeling my parents.

When I was in grade 5, we were encouraged to choose an instrument. “TUBA!” was my only wish — as a child I had listened to the album “Tubby the Tuba” (Disney edition)  until the vinyl was worn thin. My parents, knowing the cost and size of tubas, suggested that maybe I could consider “a flute or a piccolo?” I refused, and as a result ended up in choir.

Not long after (maybe a year or two) my parents somehow ended up getting both an upright piano and an antique pump organ. They justified the acquisition by assuming I would take piano lessons. Being difficult, and still stinging from the tuba-rejection, I refused. My mother took lessons for a while but for the most part, the piano sat there in the living room looking lovely and holding knick-knacks.

Readers, my one single regret in life is that I never learned to play a musical instrument.I did learn to read music, at least basically, thanks to several years of choir. This is the main reason I am excited about our future Big Reno — we are adding a dining room but below that, we are also adding another room and we have designated it “the drum room.” I’ve always been a fan of percussion, much more than strings, brass or wind instruments, so when Mike said drums, I was all over it. But that reno is third in line behind some required electrical work and the weatherproofing/insulation of the deck and below-deck storage so no drums are in our immediate future. (Although Groove Studios is within walking distance…. )

Which brings me back to the cello. While I was pondering Kiddo’s instrument rental — much more of an investment compared to the previous year’s ukelele — and remembering how hard it was to get her to practice said ukelele, I wondered whether one of us learning alongside her would be good encouragement. Mike said, “well, that would have to be you.” I wondered (and tweeted), “Is forty-something too old to learn to play an instrument?” The overwhelming reply was “No! Go for it!”

Rental is about $40/month so the price is not a hurdle (and some places offer a rent-to-own option, too). The big question is, am I ready to put the effort in?  Or is this a whim that will pass? I know that it would be a good way to exercise my brain and, well, it could  help me stop whining over my childhood lack-of-instruments.

Ethan Winer — who I realized composed one of my favourite pieces ever, Cello Rondo (an early internet video darling) — writes about learning the cello as an adult (at 43), but coming from a position of an accomplished blues guitarist,

But starting as an adult also has unique drawbacks. Playing endless variations of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is hardly interesting to someone who’s studied musical scores and performed publicly. Worse, I knew how good music is supposed to be played, and my early efforts were not even close. Beginner children don’t know how bad they sound, and thus are not so easily discouraged! Having played blues lead guitar for many years I knew what it felt like to be in control of an instrument – to play with feeling and conviction. I really hated being demoted to mediocre status as a beginner on the cello, and wanted to get past that phase as quickly as possible. What I hoped would be an enjoyable pastime soon evolved into an obsession to become proficient as quickly as possible that now occupies three or four hours of each day.

Hrm.

On the other hand, there is the Care and Maintenance article from cello.org which includes this hilarious warning about the bow:

Do not engage in pretend sword fights with other cellists.

I might need that on a t-shirt.