Violin vs Cello

[BurnoutPriest]

I have been having this troubling debate within my head for a while now. I love the sound of the violin and cello and want to learn how to play one. The only problem is I can't decide between the rich cello sound and the sonorous violin. I know the viola is an option but I don't want it for very strange and magic reasons.

Anyway, what are the pros and cons of learning each? I do have a bit of self taught piano experience but I can barely read music; I'll probably be starting from scratch with any new instrument. I am 18 so I'm starting a little late too.

 

[Sir_Montague]

Mmm... well if you play guitar, violin is reverse the tuning of a bass, GDAE, but i'm not completely sure about anything else on it besides the difference between each note is smaller... So no help from me, but I want to learn violin also, and from scratch... Lol

 

[jim_doki]

Cellos are a *****

seriously, they are expensive and cannot be moved if you dont have a truck. get a cheap electric violin first. Smaller and cooler at a party

 

[fluffylandmine]

Sad as I was going to say viola, or string bass

 

[fluffylandmine]

Cellos are a *****

seriously, they are expensive and cannot be moved if you dont have a truck. get a cheap electric violin first. Smaller and cooler at a party

I resent that. Celli are slightly larger than a guitar.

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

Play a violin. Cellos are big and clumsy and all around lamer than violins.

 

[AuntyEthel]

Cello all the way! Violins are horrid, it takes ages before one gets it to not sound like someone torturing a cat. They're almost as lame as flutes.

 

[axia777]

Check out this band Rasputina.

http://www.rasputina.com/

Cellos to the extreme.

 

[The Sorrow]

Viola, beotches!

 

[ffxfriek]

Cello all the way! Violins are horrid, it takes ages before one gets it to not sound like someone torturing a cat. They're almost as lame as flutes.

oy flutes are cool

 

[Rankao]

Cello!, Apocalyptica man! Its never to late to learn new skills, but you need to take a lot of effort and pratice a hell-o-lot.

 

[ffxfriek]

and violin ftw

 

[EnzoHonda]

There's always something you can do with a violin. The real problem with either are the costs involved. If you get any good at it, things get expensive.

My mother plays the violin, and a while ago her bow got broken in an unfortunate accident. After trying out dozens of different new and used bows over the course of a couple months, she finally settled on a used one for $1800.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

One thing I will say about violins, if you want to play it really well and often, you will get calluses very quickly because the thin strings will dig into your fingers. Enough whining about my fingers, for a practical way to choose look at how wide your fingers are. If you have thin fingers, go for the violin. Of course you can play either one, but that's the only logical way to choose apart from listening to other peoples experiences.

 

[BurnoutPriest]

Cello!, Apocalyptica man! Its never to late to learn new skills, but you need to take a lot of effort and pratice a hell-o-lot.

Funny you mention Apocalyptica, I'm listening to them right now =P

Trust me though, after lugging around a full keyboard back and forth from band practice I know how to move unwieldy things. I'm more worried about learning, sound, and any problems I don't know about.

One thing I will say about violins, if you want to play it really well and often, you will get calluses very quickly because the thin strings will dig into your fingers. Enough whining about my fingers, for a practical way to choose look at how wide your fingers are. If you have thin fingers, go for the violin. Of course you can play either one, but that's the only logical way to choose apart from listening to other peoples experiences.

I have long thin fingers that are dexterous due to piano use. Not sure if that helps determine anything =/

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

...Fiddle.

 

[kurozen]

Octobass anyone? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octobass]

 

[Rankao]

I bet there are a surprising few on these forums who play either.

 

[black lincon]

I'm required to say violins since my friend plays one, that and i prefer it to the chello. i guess i don't like the lowness of it(is it apparent i don't know about music).

 

[fluffylandmine]

Let's just go with the theremin shall we? Trust me it's odd but you'll be treated as an interesting individual who can play an awesome instrument.