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Private lessons with top Cello instructors

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Megan C.

Megan C.

As a cellist with 20 years of playing experience, I am a passionate cellist of many orchestras around the US and an even more passionate teacher. I enjoy helping students of all ages and levels! In addition to your lessons, you'll be granted access to my supplemental recordings for personal practice, making your practice routine feel like you're playing with others! Lesson Duration Recommendations: 30 min for beginners 45 min for beginner-intermediate 60 for intermediate-advanced

Jessica G.

Jessica G.

Getting a solid foundation in technique is imperative for anyone wanting to learn the cello, no matter if the desire is to play for fun or to eventually join an orchestra. That is why I make it my goal as a teacher to establish the correct ways to have: good tone, proper posture, flexible bow hold, loose vibrato, and pain-free playing. All of my students that have graduated to university-level teachers have reported back that the teacher was happy with their foundation and they were not required to "move back" steps in order to gain additional technique. I generally use the Suzuki and ABC books to get students started(which employ mainly classical pieces and folk songs), but I am always open to other genres that the student is interested in. If there is a specific piece a student would like to play, we'll go over what technique is required to get there and use alternate pieces and exercises to finally reach that goal.

Wei D.

Wei D.

Good habits and an excellent attitude make great cellists. It doesn't hurt to love music too. I love music and I love to share my passion with my students. Having a teacher who is an experienced performer is an important quality in a teacher. I am a professional classical musician currently working as a freelance cellist in the Chicago area. I play with Chicago Philharmonic, the Northbrook Symphony, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Northwest Indiana Symphony, among others. Before coming to Chicago I played for 13 seasons with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. I have taught privately for over 10 years including 2 years in Paris. My teaching is a reflection of my teacher, Phillippe Muller. I studied with Msr. Muller while studying at the Paris Conservatory. Msr. Muller is currently a Professor of Cello at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

Isaac B.

Isaac B.

I received my Bachelors in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and I'm currently finishing my Masters at the New England Conservatory. I've been playing cello for over 13 years and have been teaching for 7 years. I focus on building a great technical foundation in my students, and also in helping them to interpret every piece they play with their unique and individual voice. At the end of the day, technique should always serve the expression of the music! I strive to help my students feel more connected to the music they play, to play with more and more expression, no matter the difficulty level of the piece you're playing! I use the Suzuki method for most beginner/intermediate students, though I often adapt and mix in other repertoire depending on what my student needs, and also what kind of music the student enjoys practicing. Practicing is the most important part of improving any skill, of course, and this is much easier to do when you love the music you're working on! I want to build up healthy, solid technique in my students, but I encourage my students to find pieces they themselves are interested in. Practicing and learning the cello takes dedication- but it is a deeply gratifying commitment.

Cindy H.

Cindy H.

Cindy holds two degrees and a teaching Certificate. She obtained her Master of Arts degree from Dallas Baptist University in 2016. In 1996, she received a full music scholarship to Sam Houston State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance. Mrs. H has 20 years of experience teaching private violin, viola, cello, and piano, as well as 7 years teaching elementary music and orchestra for the public school system. Mrs. H has performed at hundreds of weddings, receptions, and parties with various string quartets, as well as orchestral events and churches all across Texas. Mrs. H loves music and teaching, and her favorite part of teaching is sharing her love of music with others. She teaches utilizing a wide variety of techniques and methods, ranging from the Suzuki method to more traditional methods. Because of her diverse teaching background, she excels at teaching students of all ages: from the four year old beginning piano student to the advanced high school senior violinist. Hundreds of her private students have made All-Region Orchestras, first division ratings at Solo/Ensemble, and even first division ratings at the State Solo/Ensemble contest. Some of Mrs. H's former students have continued in their musical pursuits to become professional musicians.

Amy A.

Amy A.

Whether you're looking for a traditional Suzuki method experience or just want to fiddle around, we can work together to make playing cello a great experience for you. In person or over Skype. Young and young at heart welcome.

Genevieve T.

Genevieve T.

Having 20+ years of playing experience, and 10+ years of professional experienced cello teaching, I feel very comfortable helping my students understand the foundations of cello technique. My lessons are structured very clearly with some technique work at the beginning, whether it be scales or a study, followed by a piece or work we’ll work on together to finish off the lesson. In addition, I send each of my students off with their very own practice regiment and practice journal/log ✍️, that they can use to track their own progress throughout their week, keep track of their assignments, and lastly, write out any comments or questions that come up in between lessons. I also share music and other supplemental materials to my students when possible in these practice regiments, so that they do not always have to purchase it or search for it themselves :) I’m happy to help and guide my students however they need it :) Here’s some more background on me: I graduated with a Bachelors of Music from the music conservatory Cleveland Institute of Music, and got my Masters in Music from Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music. In addition, I completed a 2 year rigorous Suzuki Technique Pedagogy Program where I am now certified to teach all 10 levels of the cello books. I am confident in explaining any questions a student may have. I love to make practicing a game, so that way we are developing the proper skills but also challenging ourselves while having fun! Even I can understand that practicing can get tiresome and dull at times! As a traveling musician who has performed all over the world, I feel it is important for students to appreciate all types of music. While classical training and technique are absolutely crucial to the beginning stages of a student's development, I like to show the student how their skills can be integrated into other styles of music as they develop. I am in a string quartet, called ATLYS, where we play a variety of genres and styles of music from classical to traditional to folk to rock. All music is connected and I love how my students can see this connection and start to use their skills to be a part of that bigger picture.

Michael B.

Michael B.

Fun and easy to learn cello lessons!

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Today's cello lesson was great!! Thank you!!

Esteban (Cello lessons with Brendon P.)

Great start with lots of good tips! Looking forward to more classes.

Fiona (Cello lessons with Brendon P.)

Very good experience on our first lesson. Brendon worked with our 7-year-old son and was patient with the online setup. He did make us aware that having online lessons with someone that young presents

Michael (Cello lessons with Brendon P.)

He is very knowledgeable and patient. He gave me great tips that helped me immediately play better.

Grace (Cello lessons with Brendon P.)

Popular Cello videos

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Claire A.

The #1 Cause of a Squeaky Sound

Irina D.

Fundamental Bow Technique

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Megan C.

Megan C.

Tuning: Fine Tuners

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Play Along: D Major Scale, One Octave

Megan C.

Play Along: G Major Scale, One Octave

Megan C.

Megan C.

Play Along: C Major Scale, One Octave

Pecos S.

Bow Stroke Tutorial No. 1

Christopher G.

Beethoven A Major Sonata for Cello, First Movement

Christopher G.

Beethoven A Major Sonata Scherzo

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You may also be interested in

Cello Lessons

It’s hard to imagine that the first cello dates back to 1550. All those years have passed by, yet the cello continues to be regarded as one of the finest instruments in any orchestra with its deep and mellow sounds.

If you’re interested in learning to play this beautiful instrument or challenging yourself with more advanced orchestra music, then turn to our cello lessons here at TakeLessons. Not only do we offer in-person sessions with certified tutors, but we offer the best online cello lessons, too. Sign up with us today for the opportunity to learn your way around this stringed instrument.

Certified Cello Teachers

If you think back to your favorite teachers, they were likely professional, friendly, and committed to your success, and here at TakeLessons, we’re certain our tutors will leave you with the same impression.

The process is simple when you’re ready to sign up for cello lessons. To start, we invite you to select your preferred teacher. We offer a list of certified and background-checked cello tutors near you who are eager to teach you this instrument.

To get to know each tutor, explore their profiles and learn more about their experience, availability, and rates. Depending on the cello teacher, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 and $102 for an hour-long session, with the average lesson costing $70/hour.

Once you’ve selected your cello teacher and decided on a schedule, all that’s left to do is pick your lesson package. With that taken care of, you’re set to begin your cello journey!

Online Cello Lessons for All Ages

If you have concerns about whether your age will interfere with your ability to play the cello, then it’s time to kick those worries to the curb. Anyone is capable of learning to play this instrument, no matter their age!

At TakeLessons, we specialize in offering in-person and online cello lessons for kids and adults alike. Our certified tutors are experts at catering their lessons to their students’ specific age groups to help them get the most out of their cello sessions.

Whether you’re five or fifty-five, you’re the perfect age to sign up for cello lessons near you!

Cello Lessons for All Levels

Just as your age doesn’t affect your ability to learn to play the cello, your skill set doesn’t have any impact on it either. You can sign up for cello lessons near you if you have zero or 15 years of experience under your belt!

You see, we offer cello lessons for beginners, as well as intermediate and advanced students. Your certified cello teacher will determine what you already know about this instrument. From there, they create a customized lesson plan that aligns with your music goals. Below you can see some sample curriculum for each skill level.

Sample Curriculum for Beginner Cello Lessons

Cello lessons for beginners generally focus on the instrument’s fundamentals, the basics of music theory, and how to care for your instrument.

Body and Finger Positioning
Bow Techniques
Primary Notes and Scales
Music Theory Introduction
Basic Song Playing

Sample Curriculum for Intermediate Cello Lessons

At this point, you likely feel much more comfortable with your instrument and have a strong desire to continue with cello classes.

Vibrato, Piccato, Spiccato & Ricochet
Advanced Bow Techniques
Modal Scares
Advanced Music Theory
Various Cello Thumb Positioning Skills

Sample Curriculum for Advanced Cello Lessons

How long it takes to become proficient enough to progress to advanced cello lessons depends on factors like the frequency of lessons and time invested in practice.

Technique Enhancement
Compound Intervals
Compound Intervals
Seventh Chords
Solo Repertoire and Audition Prep

Sign up Today

Nothing should get in the way of you following your cello dreams. To kickstart your journey, sign up for in-person or online cello lessons with us. It’s easy; simply select your favorite teacher, determine your schedule, choose your lesson package, and don’t miss out on our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

FAQ

Can I teach myself cello?

While it might be possible to teach yourself how to play this instrument, we suggest learning with a certified tutor instead. Here at TakeLessons, we offer hassle-free cello lessons. Get to learn one-on-one with a tutor who is experienced in teaching students of all ages and skill sets.

One of the main reasons why it’s important to study with a private tutor is so you can build a strong foundation. You want to grow your music skills from there. In the beginning, you’ll learn everything from the parts of the cello to how to properly hold the instrument. Next, you’ll focus on creating good habits, such as good posture and finger placements. These fundamentals will give you the tools to eventually master the cello.

How much do cello lessons cost?

The cost of your cello lessons will depend on a number of factors, such as the individual teacher and your specific area of interest. Here at TakeLessons, we strive to make it affordable for our students to learn to play this instrument. The average cost of a 60-minute cello session is $70, but rates may range between $50 and $102.

When you browse each tutor’s profile, you can see their starting rates. Before selecting your teacher, you can contact them and inquire more about their pricing.

Can you learn cello online?

Yes! Here at TakeLessons, we offer convenient and flexible online cello lessons. These sessions are ideal for those students who prefer to learn in the comfort of their own homes.

When you sign up for our online courses, it’s the same process as signing up for our in-person lessons. To start, you can select your preferred cello teacher and find a time to learn that best suits your schedule. However, instead of driving to meet with your tutor in a classroom setting, you’ll simply sign onto our online platform and connect with your teacher there. To do so, you need access to the internet and a smartphone, laptop, computer, or tablet.

Find the perfect class for you