Admittedly I started music when I was quite young, around 11 years old. I started on Viola but later went to Music College in my early 20's studying Classical Guitar and Composition. At 29 I joined the Army as a Violist, and I discovered the Double Bass. I have since performed on each of these instruments publicly - moving between classical and Jazz genres.
But then, at 59 I just wanted to start the Cello. I don't know why. I was too old to think it was a fad but I was close to obsession and I am so glad I followed my heart rather than dismiss the idea - because of my age. I bought a cheap student cello 2nd hand and started.
Even with a lifetime of music, immense frustration followed....but I persevered and out of my struggles I present to you some tips that worked for me.
Tip no. 1
10-20 minutes every day
When I started the cello, I was fortunate that I lived close to my work. I was able to walk home for my lunch and spend 10-20 minutes playing the cello every day. It really does work - 10 minutes a day means you progress so much faster than 60 minutes a week. It took me 5 minutes to walk home and this was perhaps the most important part of my practice....
Tip no 2.
Plan what your practice.
After a few sessions of making a noise I began to plan what I wanted to improve. For example, while working on the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No 1 (of course!), I would tell myself ''today I want to sort out my string crossing to eliminate extraneous noises''. And in this way I always plan what I will focus on.
I came across a young cellist just recently, Abel Selaocoe, and on his website he wrote that his first cello teacher Kutlwano Masote told him
''....don't focus on the things you can do but focus on the things you can't do..''
And when I read this I realised this is the same advice in that you should always focus on what you need to do better.
Tip no 3.
Never force....if you experience pain or tension always stop because something is wrong, rest and relax the muscles. In fact when you watch the greats, something you will always notice is how relaxed and fluid their playing appears. I discovered as a classical guitarist - all playing should come form a state of completer relaxation - even if the music is is intended to sound forceful in nature.
Tip no 4.
Always try to play better than the day before. Sometimes this won't always work because your body/mind is still internalizing but in the end it will be better.
Tip no 5.
Related to Tip no 2 and 3 above. If you can play 80% of a piece reasonably well but there is 20% or a part you can play well - just spend time on that - start really slowly, break it down. Perhaps there are 6 notes with a shift - perhaps the shift is the problem.
Tip no 6.
This might seem an odd tip - but don't always listen to the great cellists. The gap between yopu and them can be a gulf. It doesn't mean you won't brudge that gulf but you need to compare yourself in baby steps. Sometimes listen to not very good cellists playing something your are playing and you will be heartened at where you have got to in a short time and this will spur you on. The French poet and phosphor Pual Valery said:
"The Best Way to Make Your Dreams Come True is to wake pp"
More tips to come...
I shall continue with my top tips soon but first share with you a wonderful resource I referenced in order to answer some of those unanswered questions and explore further aspects - many I hadn't even thought of. David Finkel, previously of The Emerson Quartet for 34 years unto 2013, has posted 100 videos of fascinating instruction and thoughts ranging from the practical to the philisophcal. These Videos were often in exotic and interesting locations and usually from hotel rooms.
Here is his first Video and I strongly urge you to take advantage of this wonderful resource - all absolutely free. I will certainly revisit many of his videos again and again.