Have you ever wished you could play a musical instrument, but you aren’t sure which one to choose? If you’ve narrowed the search down to wanting to play a string instrument, consider learning to play the cello. Here are six reasons why you should!
- The cello, which has been around for over 450 years, is a popular instrument for learners of all ages. Because of it’s rich tones, it is considered to be the closest sounding instrument to the human voice, which attracts many people. Some like the cello because it produces lots of different kids of sounds; it can sing or it can even growl at times! Emotionally the cello has the capacity to be on the edge of the drama of a piece of music with a soaring and expressive melody, or can slip away into the background, adding a dash of color and excitement by the simplest of means, so you get variety of things to play.
- The cello has a rich repertoire of music that all cellists enjoy playing! Arguably the most famous and important cello pieces are Johann Sebastian Bach’s Six Suites for Cello. Antonio Vivaldi also wrote 25 cello concerti. Edward Elgar wrote the Cello Concerto. The most famous sonatas for cello and piano were written by Ludwig von Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms, Sergi Rachmaninoff, Dmitry Shostakovich, Sergi Prokofiev, Francis Poulenc, and Benjamin Britten. Another favorite piece for the cello is The Swan, from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Seans.
- If you are looking for a challenge, the cello is the instrument for you! Most professionals make it look really easy to play, it can be very physically demanding and take years to master. Which can be very satisfying and rewarding. Diligent practicing is necessary. But all cellists proclaim that the hard work is all worth it because it is exhilarating to be a part of something so beautiful! Playing this instrument is their way of self-expression. The cello provides them with the sounds they need to express what words cannot.
- Playing the cello can help fulfill the need that you have to do something outside of your busy and demanding work or school schedule. Playing the cello can be therapeutic. Playing music on the cello involves balance and good posture with feet well grounded. Just the way a person sits and wraps themselves around the cello is grounding and helps people to feel so in all aspects of their life. Many people who play feel a positive influence from the instrument on the rest of their life. They feel uplifted psychologically and spiritually by the cello. Playing brings the mind and the body together in a strengthening way. Loosening your shoulders and releasing tension while playing the cello improves your tone, just like doing the same while walking down the street makes the world a totally different place.
- Music is good for your brain! Musical training strengthens the brain, maybe even more radically then any other activity. Professional musicians are known to have a greater volume of grey matter in the areas of the brain governing motor control, the interpretation of sound, and visual-spacial processing. This can increase ability in speech, language, memory, attention, and empathy. Playing an instrument enhances your ability to learn other skills. Music also has a positive effect on the immune system. It boosts the level of proteins in your body and regulates mood-influencing hormones, which reduces stress. In a study in a London hospital, Bach cello suites were played in the waiting room, which lowered the blood pressures of expectant mothers. Recorded music is also being used in the pre-operative stage of surgery to enhance the effects of anesthesia.
- The cello is mostly known as an instrument in the orchestra, but cellos have been increasingly used in popular music these days. Many modern bands have used the cello in their music, such as Aerosmith, the Beatles, Nirvana, One Republic, and Smashing Pumpkins. If you choose to play the cello, you could possibly tour with a rock band someday!
If you would like to learn how to play the cello, please call Omaha School of Music and Dance at 14505 California Street in West Omaha and register for lessons today, or go to our website and register yourself! https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/reg.asp?id=520295
