The Complete Guide to Starting Cello Lessons
What’s the Best Age to Learn Cello?
Rose Park
updated 1/20/25 • 4 min read
The best age to learn cello:
The recommended starting age for cello lessons is generally 8 or 9 years old. Although some children may begin as early as 6, most teachers suggest waiting until age 7, when children have the physical ability to hold the instrument properly and able to follow instructions.
However, learning the cello isn’t limited by age—it’s never too late to start! This article will walk you through the important considerations before starting lessons, cello lesson costs, and help you find the right teacher from the start.
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Table of Contents
4 factors to consider when starting cello
Do you have a quiet, dedicated space to play cello?
Creating a focused, quiet space for practicing the cello is key to getting the most out of your lessons. This is even more important for online cello lessons, where distractions or interruptions can lower the quality of your learning.
Is the student actually motivated?
If the student doesn’t show any interest in playing the cello or listening to cello music, forcing them to take lessons can do more harm than good. Besides, they won’t be motivated enough to practice or improve, which will frustrate both the child and the teacher.
Instead of pushing cello lessons, try to encourage your child’s interests. There are plenty of other activities that your child might actually love to try and learn. And if they do express an interest in music, consider other instruments besides the cello.
Will the student be able to practice cello regularly?
Cello isn’t an easy instrument to play and requires a significant amount of time, energy, and focus to learn. No matter how old you are or what level you’re at, having a consistent practice routine is the key to making progress on the cello.
If the student is under 13 years old, it’s a good idea to encourage them to play the cello regularly – around 4 times a week for about 15 to 20 minutes each time. As a parent, you don’t need to be monitoring them the whole time, but helping them find the right amount of consistent practice can really make a difference.
For adults, we recommend starting with practice sessions of 20 minutes, 4 times a week, excluding the time spent on assembling and tuning. Once you get used to it, you can gradually increase the duration or frequency of your practice.
Are regular cello lessons within your budget?
The key to making the most of your cello lessons is consistency. The best approach is to take regular, weekly lessons. While some may think biweekly lessons are enough, be aware that progress tends to slow significantly when there’s a break of at least a week between lessons. It’s easy to lose track of measurable growth over time. This is why it’s important to plan and budget for monthly lesson expenses.
Based on our recent article on cello lesson costs, the average price for one-hour cello lesson is $70. That being said, it’s important to find a great teacher who charges a reasonable cost and provides a great cello curriculum. To find your right cello teacher, check out our article “How to Find an Exceptional Cello Teacher.“
At Lesson With You, we offer half-hour cello lessons for $35 with teachers advanced degrees in cello, no contracts required.
When is my child ready to begin cello?
1. Your child can hold a cello and a bow
Playing the cello requires some physical abilities, like having enough arm strength and hands to hold the instrument and move the bow. If your child has good control of their fingers and can hold the cello comfortably, it’s a sign they may be ready to start lessons.
For cellos, measurements of 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4 are the standard size for young students.
2. Your child can practice at least 10 minutes
If your child has time each day to practice cello, that’s enough to get started! We recommend at least 10 minutes of practice a day for kids under 8, and at least 20 minutes, 3 times a week for older children.
Remember, it’s not just about putting in the time – a good cello practice involves using effective strategies and staying committed to learning goals. If you’re not too sure about how to set a practice routine for your child, talk to your instructor for guidance.
3. Your child can follow 1:1 instructions
Playing the cello is a unique experience that requires your child to pay attention to movement, details and sounds. In cello lessons, your child will learn how to read and play melodies. The teacher will give feedback on everything from posture to sound control.
If your child is able to follow these instructions, it’s a sign that they are ready to learn cello! For children under 7 years old, it’s a good idea for parents to join in on the lessons to provide extra support.
4. Your child can stay focused for at least 15 minutes
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Benefits of learning cello for children
Learning cello at a young age has many benefits! It gives children a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence, but it also teaches them problem-solving skills. Unlike other subjects, music requires a constant process of problem-solving and dedication. By figuring out how to fix mistakes and consistently improve their playing, kids learn to think critically and creatively.
Regular practice also helps children develop self-discipline and patience, which are essential skills that can be applied to all areas of life. Overall, starting cello at a young age helps your child develop a great musical technique that they can continue to improve throughout their life, and brings them happiness from playing music!
How to find and choose the right cello teacher
One of the challenges when starting cello lessons is finding the right teacher. In our recent article How to Find an Exceptional Cello Teacher, we discuss the mistakes many students and parents make during the first stage of their cello learning journey. Typical mistakes include:
- Starting with an ordinary instructor and then switching to a better one later
- Failing to thoroughly review the teacher’s educational background
- Learning from a teacher who also teaches other instruments
- Taking cello lessons that charge significantly less than the average rate
Summary: It’s important to find a guitar teacher with at least a Bachelor’s degree in guitar performance with two years of teaching experience. Make sure to check the teacher’s performance recordings and teaching background, and ask questions about their policies and lesson curriculum.
5 tips to kickstart your cello journey
Maintain cello in good conditions
Whether you’re buying a cello or keeping your cello, it’s important to make sure the instrument is in good condition. If you’re buying a cello for the first time, note that beginner cellos come in a price range of $200 to $2500. Cellos priced below $1000 are generally of poor quality, unless they are used and sourced from a reputable seller.
Also, get a case to protect your cello and make sure to control the room temperature during winter and summer. Using a rosin is a good idea too. This way, the student can experience the best quality of learning possible.
Place the cello where you can easily access
The more accessible your cello is, the more likely you or your child is to practice regularly. Instead of hiding the cello away in a small room or attic, try placing it in the bedroom, office or living room. That way, the student can easily sit down and play a few tunes whenever they have time.
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Listen to various cello recordings
Listening to different types of music is a fun way to expand your musical knowledge and improve your cello skills. You can start by arranging a regular “listening time” with your child, where you both can enjoy listening to music together and talk about songs.
Don’t forget to check out online performances, such as those available on the MET website or subscribe to YouTube channels of major international orchestras! The more you listen and appreciate music, the better the cello playing will become.
Help your child balance between practice and play
When it comes to learning cello, balancing practice and play is important, and as a parent, you can help your child balance between practice and play. For kids under 10, try setting a short but effective practice schedule that works around their school days.
It’s also a good idea to schedule some time for them to just play the cello without any pressure, letting them to simply explore and enjoy the music. Some teachers suggest using a timer or planner during practice sessions to keep things on track.
Talk about the lesson progress
After taking a couple of weeks of cello lessons, check in with your child and ask how they’re enjoying it. You want to make sure they’re not only learning a valuable skill, but also feeling happy and motivated to continue with their lessons in the long run.
Try having casual conversations about their progress during dinner table. Take the time to listen to their stories and be there to provide support throughout their music journey.
How long does it take to learn cello?
Learning the cello takes time and varies for everyone. Typically, it requires several years of consistent practice to build a solid foundation, regardless of age. Progress also depends on the musical goals you set and the genre you want to study. If your goal is to enjoy playing the cello as a hobby in your spare time, it usually takes about two to three years to master the basics and play repertoire (not too difficult) with confidence.
Generally, committing to regular cello lessons as a beginner can help you reach an intermediate level after about three to four years. However, this timeline may be shorter or longer depending on the quality of instruction you get.
What size cello should I get as a beginner?
Here are some guidelines for sizing a cello to the player, along with the suggested ages:
- Children aged 6-7 : 1/4 size cello (38.5 inches long)
- Children aged 8-10: 1/2 size cello (42 inches long)
- Children aged 11-14 (and smaller adults), a 3/4 size cello (45 inches long)
- Children and adults aged 14 and above: a full-size cello (4/4, 48 inches long).
The best way is to consult with a cello instructor or local music store salesperson to make sure you get the proper sizing.
How much do cello lessons cost, and are there any additional expenses?
The average price for a one-hour cello lesson is $70, based on our cello lesson pricing guide. Online cello lessons between $35-40 for a half hour lesson, and local private cello lessons range from $40-50 for a half hour lesson. There may be additional expenses, such as purchasing or renting a cello, buying accessories like a bow and rosin, lesson book, and maintenance costs for the instrument.
Is it ever too late to start cello?
Age doesn’t matter when it comes to learning cello. At Lesson With You, our expert instructors create customized lesson plans suited to the musical needs and lifestyles of any cello learners. With their professional tips, anyone can elevate their skills at competitive prices.
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Rose Park
Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.