What Does it Take to Become a Professional Cello Player?

Pursuing a career in music is a risky decision, because by the nature of the industry few artists can “make it big.” Most artists aren’t pop stars, or even full-time career musicians, and all musicians also teach to remedy this. There are many paths to becoming a professional cello player, and depending on where you start it might be easy or hard to earn a reputation and start making money. I followed an academic path, studying classical music at university and then continuing my research in graduate school under a generous fellowship from the Tulsa Symphony.

These qualifications opened certain doors, and have led to success in teaching and recording. This article will give you advice on what it takes to get to the professional cello level, and how a professional earns and keeps their reputation.

Dedication

Even with online platforms and recording technology, it can be years or decades before you are noticed. Dedication is everything, because not only will you continue to improve with practice but you will outlast the musicians who give up easily. This is why some teachers will tell young beginner cellists to quit outright; if you’re willing to give up that easily then you don’t have the dedication it takes.

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

No matter what level of cello you play, your professional status depends on professionalism. People don’t want to play in an ensemble with someone incompetent, or on the other hand someone who feels like the whole performance is about them. The best compliment I received in my chamber music courses at university was that I was a supportive player, that I brought out the best of my ensemble.

There’s another saying, “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” In a musical context this means you won’t always nail it at every performance, but if you show up early and have a positive attitude despite any hiccups, you’ll help your band make great music, and they’ll remember you the next time they need a professional cello player. Try to be friendly and upbeat, even if you aren’t especially outgoing.

Build a network

The best tool you can have as a professional is an extensive list of contacts, including other musicians as well as venues, organizers, sound engineers, and promoters. One important thing to remember about building this network is that you shouldn’t be asking for gigs all the time. Trust me from experience, you don’t want that reputation. If you’re at the gig, just focus on playing the gig! Any professional will tell you, gigs lead to more gigs. I have built my network mostly by meeting the audience after performances, and simply thanking them for coming to hear the music.