Well. Let me tell you!
With my first cello, I learned how to tune first. When I got it, it wasn’t set up at all (for safe travelling). So, not knowing how to do any of it, I went to my first lesson with an unstrung foreign object that I had never heard. My instructor, Richard Frost, was NOT impressed with my cello, though he didn’t say anything about it - it was a good beginner’s cello - especially for someone who wasn’t sure if she was going to stick with it or not.
Professor Frost first had me learn open notes and told me to get some books, All for Strings theory and sheet music. I sounded horrid! Squeak and squall, sharp shreiks and hitting two strings at once. I felt so sorry for my Professor! He gave me practice to do with just the bow, at first. I thought he was a little nuts - the sound came from the cello strings, not the bow! Or so I thought. Ha!"
Fascinating insight into playing cello. Guess where she got the bow that turned her sound from unmusical to something that brings tears in a good way? Would you believe, eBay? Good going!
