Picture Yourself Playing Cello: Step-by-Step Instruction for Playing the Cello Paperback – March 17, 2011

I’m a 40+ adult who has recently started learning the Cello. I used Amazon reviews to purchase several books and thought I would share what seems to be working for me. I meet with an instructor for 30 minutes a week, which is much too short for anything but corrections to my form. I’m renting an Eastman SV100 and am much more reliant on the books and Youtube (for sound rather than form) as I practice at home.Books purchased:Picture Yourself Playing Cello by Jim Aikin- This is very good introduction for those of us who know nothing about the cello but are determined to learn it for whatever crazy reason driving you. I found it to be good for learning how to position your hands on the bow and general playing set up. I appreciated the DVD demonstrations and this book was very helpful for about two weeks. There is very little music included in the book but it’s great if you don’t have access to an instructor yet.Cello Playing for Music Lovers by Vera Mattlin Jiji- The layout of this book is not very intuitive to me but I really appreciate the position maps along with the scales as well as the CD with sound clips for 95% of the music . It’s another introduction book but it has more depth and pacing for multiple years of instruction. Based on references from this book, I also purchased The Art ofCello Playing by Louis Potter, Jr.The Art of Cello Playing by Louis Potter, Jr.- This is my primary instruction book at the moment and my go to source for relearning how to read music (flute player in a previous life, many, many moons ago and never learned to properly read music) as well as being a great source for practice. I do wish I had a CD/DVD with this since I tend to learn better when I can hear the music (remember that lack of learning to read music?!) The combination of this book with Cello Playing for Music Lovers has been very helpful and my instructor likes this book a lot.Suzuki Cello School Volume 1- Only purchased this because my instructor uses this method in our classes. In my opinion, it’s terrible for anyone who is trying to learn on their own unless you are much better at watching youtube for potential set up instruction than I am. Having said that, I am using this book for my practice in combination with The Art of Cello Playing, Cello Playing for Music Lovers and working with my instructor. I have found some great video clips on Youtube for each exercise in this book which I really appreciate since again, I need to hear how each piece is supposed to sound as I’m practicing.If I were only working on my own, I would probably get the String Builder by Samuel Applebaum ( and recommended by Jim Aikin in Picture Yourself Playing Cello).I hope this helps other adults exploring the cello. I love it and have yet to master anything other than the scale in first position in sharps. Ok master is being generous. It takes time and practice. Lots of time and practice. Enjoy.

I'm an adult beginner in cello (I've been playing for 4 months) and have never played another instrument before. I definitely recommend this book to others in a similar situation.Over the last 3 months I've accummulatd over 15 books on learning how to play the cello, etude books, etc, and googled and youtubed information online (a must see: David Finckel's Cello Talks). I try to do as much research as possible when I start a new hobby. I also purchased Cello Playing for Music Lovers, The Art of Cello Playing, Rosindust: Teaching, Learning and Life from a Cellist's Perspective, and A Modern Cellist's Manual, among other well-known books and I've found that this is the best introduction to learning about the cello. This book provides the best OVERVIEW on learning how to play the cello that is EASY & DIGESTABLE! This book provides information on technique and doesn't over saturate you with information like some of the other books do, and provides a taste of what you are getting yourself into. However, once you know you want to go further with the cello, I would recommend the other books I've listed above.I had purchased this book near the end of my cello book buying spree (I don't think it was available at the time), but I definitely would recommend buying this book first. After this book, I would recommend buying Cello Playing for Music Lovers & Potter's The Art of Cello Playing at the same time, as Music Lover's references sections in Potter's book (Music Lover's also references Shroeder's 170 Foundational Studies, but Potter's book provides additional information besides etudes for practice which is nice - so buy Shroeders later).With all of my buying-info spree, I went into information overload, but I tend to go back to this book for its easy checklists and pictures. Also, it provides some brief information on great cellists and composers that I will be researching later since I am not familiar cello history, composers or cellist. An overall great buy!

I am 70 years old and have just taken up cello, never having played another instrument or cello. I know practically nothing except for how I'd like to sound in a few years. This turned out to be a perfect beginners book and mean a real beginner, not someone who already knows a lot. I feel like it could have a few more exercises to sharpen your skills at certain things but I just do the same ones over and over again. Another thing that could have helped would be to have a tune after you've learned a new thing so you get to actually play something. There are some in the back but you must pick an choose.. and though I've had the cello for about one month, been studying the book, I still don't know when any of these tunes are appropriate or desirable for my level.One real glitch and the reason it doesn't get 5 stars is that the DVD is faulty. It doesn't work in certain sections. I've had to go to youtube for instruction in certain areas. I do love the youtube tutorials.. and various blogs on cello. How would I ever be able to get lessons from Eastman school of music.. head of that department!Rather strangely, As I read the book, I thought the author was a female but in the DVD, if it's the same author, is definitely male.I thought the suggestion that one get an instructor is good but I feel that with youtube, a mirror, and diligence, one can learn the beginnings without an instructor. I live over an hour (probably more like 2) from any decent teacher of cello so I have to have this book, youtube, the blogs and any other self teaching books I can find.Fortunately, I have a husband who is a very very good and educated musician (a pro). He doesn't play cello but he does know music theory so I have all the help I need in that area. Without him, I'd be a bit mystified. So a teacher would be good for that. Once again, youtube is a great resource along with this book.Good luck.

I highly recommend as it talks the user through every aspect of caring for your instrument, to reading music and different playing technics.The songs are great and start easy , building up to a highly level of difficulty. My music teacher even used the book to plan some of our lessons.DVD is great and the presenter is very clear and plays his cello beautifully. All in all, I highly recommend to anyone just starting out learning to play.

Be aware that the DVD menu has some chapters missing - it took me a while to work out this was because the DVD only accompanies selected chapters, not because there is something wrong with the DVD!

This book, with its dvd is a simple and clear introduction to cello. However, you do need a teacher to get started!But the book and the dvd helps getting prepared for the first cello lessons.

I bought several books for beginners, but I must confess this one is excellent for all students - including intermediary ones who don't pay too much attention on errors. "Picture Yourself Playing Cello" tells a lot about how to take care of your cello in the best way possible; advices on how buy or rent an instrument, some music theory for beginners and it shows what's right and wrong with bow movements or left-hand positions, it clears a lot of doubts about bow grip and the videos are very good as well as the pictures in the book - there are other topics convered that I will not mention here, but I can guarantee this book will not let you down! There are some easy music for beginners too - that will help you a lot with a good start, and good advices and an explanation on where to put the left-hand on the strings, according to each musical piece. This is a book written by an experienced musician and professional teacher of Cello! The way he explains everything is PERFECT - you will understand each point step by step and realize which mistakes you're doing - or which good things you have already accomplished! Avoid mistakes and vices from the start - begin your Cello studies without bad positions, bad guides, and enjoy the beauty of learning Cello with somebody who really knows what he's talking about.OBS: Find yourself a good Cellist + good teacher - this book does not delete the contact with a Cello teacher in your life! It is a condition sine qua non for your studies of Music and Cello.Do as I do:1. Read carefully the books you have already bought, including "Picture Yourself Playing Cello" - when you have doubts, put your doubts on the paper, visualize what is the problem and why you cannot understand a certain point or subject to the fullest. Bring to the teacher, so he can clear your doubts up.2. Practice concentrated on what you're doing right now. Are you practicing like you were told to? How's your tone? Position? bow grip? etc...3. Do step by step what the books teach you - when you have a doubt or question, bring to the teacher or read the chapter again - or go for a walk and read it again later, with a fresh mind!4. Do a lot of practice daily, read about music theory, do the Etudes with CONCENTRATION - feel and know what you're doing!5. When you learn something - whatever - or your teacher taught you something totally new, picture yourself, in your mind, doing the same. Mentally, with your heart and soul shape that in your mind! Think - understand - feel - pause - do it.6. Don't put pressure in what you're doing, mistakes we all do, don't get paranoic because of the mistakes, be grateful for what you have done that is perfect! Keep that in mind!7. Don't let bad thoughts come and say: "OOh this is hard! I will never be able to do that!" - NEVER BRING SUCH THINGS AND NEGATIVITY TO YOUR MIND! Instead, put that picture of you doing that just like your teacher or even better! Bad thoughts will bring tension to your body - and when you play, you must be relaxed, remember?8. Discipline, concentration, love for what you do, practice, understanding, reading, research - these are the type of words you must always keep in your mind.9. Listen to good Cello players - if you manage music reading like me, put the music on and read the sheet music at the same time. Concentrate on the reading, don't lose any note and try to picture what he-she is doing with the bow, with the cello. Picture their sound, rhythm, intonation, breathing - sometimes we're able to hear the breath of the cellists in the recordings.10. and if all these points did not help you sufficiently, I advice you to read an interview called "CONVERSATION WITH ZARA NELSOVA" BY TIM JANOF - it's available in the Internet. It's a very interesting material with one of the best Cellists of the last century, Zara Nelsova, who was born in 1918 and died in 2002. I admire a lot her Cello playing - she had a perfect intonation that I consider incomparable!And please, buy the book "Picture Yourself Playing Cello"! it's a must in your library!Practice - Practice - Practice! Discipline yourself to do that daily! ;)

IL dvd che faparte del set da me acquistato,e che ho provato un paio di giorni fa secondo le istruzionio del libro, è risultato difettoso in quanto privo di sonoro, cioè è completamente muto.Il complesso libro+DVD risulta pertanto del tutto inservibile.Attendo vostre comunicazioni/istruzioni in merito con la consueta vostra rapidità.SalutiMario Giordano