Cello

Excited to learn the cello? Before you begin, an important tip! Overtightening your strings can result in damage to the cello and your person - particularly the face and eyes, so be careful! To find out more about tuning and how to play the cello, view the helpful instructional resources listed below:

To prevent the cello from getting scuffed, chipped, and bumped around, always transport the instrument in its carrying case. In fact, when you’re not playing the cello, it’s better to keep it in the case just to be safe!

If transporting it by car, it’s best to place it in the back seat at a 45° angle into a car seat, either wedged behind a front seat or into the footwell of the front passenger seat - don’t be afraid to buckle it up!

Do not leave the cello in a hot, humid car or outside on a snowy or wet ground. This kind of treatment will damage the sound of a cello and warp the wooden components.

Do not store the instrument in very cold or very hot environments. You must also keep it away from the following: direct sunlight, heaters or radiators and A/C units.

If bringing the cello inside from the cold, let it warm up to inside room temperature before playing. This will help ensure the best possible sound.

Clean off rosin dust frequently from beneath the bridge to prevent it from melting into the varnish and discolouring the body of the cello. To prevent rosin buildup, which can affect the sound of the instrument, wipe the sides and undersides of the strings with a microfibre, lint-free cloth.

Don’t touch the hair! When handling the bow, be careful not to touch the hair since any moisture from the fingers will leave a greasy residue and interfere with the sound.

Do not polish the body or oil the cello. Staff at the library will take care of those tasks!

Do not use any household or personal cleaning products on the cello, including but not limited to:

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