Hello, I’m Kuro!
Today, I’m addressing a common question:
“What is difficult about the cello?”
The following is a summary of feedback I’ve gathered.
Reading Sheet Music
First and foremost, reading sheet music is challenging.
Especially for instruments like the cello, which use the bass clef, it can take time to get used to reading it.
Learning how to read this type of music typically requires gradual practice with the guidance of a teacher.
Creating Your Own Pitch
Unlike the piano or guitar, the cello doesn’t have specific frets or marked positions for your fingers.
Therefore, when you’re just starting, you often use small stickers (around 5mm in size) on the fingerboard to help with learning.
Without these markers, you’ll have to search for each note individually, which can feel very difficult.
It’s hard to tell whether a note is too high or too low at first, so you’ll need a teacher to help you correct it.
If you’re trying to adjust pitch on your own without guidance, it becomes much harder.
It Takes Time to Produce a Good Sound
The cello is an instrument that can be played for a lifetime, regardless of age.
However, producing a beautiful sound requires time and practice.
From my experience of teaching over 100 students, on average, it takes about 2–3 years to reach a good level.
For those with previous instrument experience, it may take around 1–2 years.
If you’re learning on your own, the lack of a strong foundation will typically lead to slower progress—often more than double the time.
The learning curve on the cello is gradual, so the more you practice consistently, the easier it becomes to improve.
It’s a difficult instrument to master in just a few months.
In Conclusion
There are other reasons I’ve heard from students, especially those learning by themselves.
For example:
・Maintaining motivation
・Developing a solid foundation in cello technique
These challenges tend to be less common among students who are working with a teacher.
So, I believe that trying to improve through self-teaching alone is incredibly difficult.
This isn’t unique to the cello—whether it’s piano, violin, or any other instrument, trying to learn on your own is extremely tough.
No one is there to praise you, and you have to practice alone.
Finding ways to improve on your own can also be challenging.
Personally, I find it incredibly hard.
So, if you want to progress smoothly, it’s best to have a teacher guide you.
I hope this helps!
