Author Topic: Cello or Saxaphone? (Read 6342 times)

Adam.M · « **on:** August 13, 2007, 02:47:31 AM »

I've decided that i'm going to take up Cello and Saxaphone (or maybe just Cello...) and i'm wondering if anyone else on here has any experiences with either?

I've always wanted to play both, and for years have been out of my grasp until i caught wind that there were chinese factories putting out pretty damned good cheap beginer/intermediate Sax's and Cello's.

These are the two im looking at right now

Cello:
http://www.gear4music.com/String_Instruments/Cellos/Deluxe_4--4_Cello_with_Case_by_Gear4musicsefv_2.html

Alto Sax (gotta love the vibe this one has!):
http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind_Instruments/Saxophone/Alto_Saxophone_by_Gear4music_BK_and_Goldsefv_2.html

They look like great deals, but if anyone has any opinions/experiences or know of anywhere that does anything better but still cheap... i'd love to hear about it. Any advice at all.

Well out of scope of this forum, but its worth a shot :)

(clips of Apocalyptica covers expected in a year or two! :D )

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:03:04 AM »

cello, hands down - one of my favourite instruments!
Check out Cursive's "the ugly organ" album 8)

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:23:32 AM »

Saxophone is an instrument very overrated - If you've ever played a woodwind instrument you'll find it very straightforward.

Your repertoire will be limited compared to a Cello.

And ofcourse it sounds like a foghorn =)

Muso · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2007, 07:20:39 PM »

Go with the sax its a way cooler instrument, Cello is mostly played by girls. To be fair tho you can't compare the instruments they are totally different!

Avoid those chinese factory pieces of cr@pola go for a second hand well known brand. Best place to ask is your local music shop.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2007, 07:31:38 PM »

Quote from: Muso

Go with the sax its a way cooler instrument, Cello is mostly played by girls. To be fair tho you can't compare the instruments they are totally different!

Avoid those chinese factory pieces of cr@pola go for a second hand well known brand. Best place to ask is your local music shop.

If I was looking for a Cello I wouldn't look for any "brand" - Aim for a reputable builder, or an aged instrument that plays and sounds good.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with Yamaha or Buffet, etc.

Also - Something that will affect your decision, Cellos do not come cheap. Expect to pay a few grand if you want something nice. Saxophones are infinitely cheaper - But I still wouldn't aim for _anything_ lower than a Yamaha 275, and they come for about £600 new.

Guitars really are insanely cheap in comparison to any other instrument.

Oli · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:53:50 PM »

Go for cello!

Sax = rubbish
Cello = brilliant :)

I'm hoping to build an electric violin after my next couple of guitar builds, and building an electric cello hasn't been too far from my thoughts either, as i got the chance to play one (a regular 'acoustic' one, albeit 3/4 size), and loved it :)

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2007, 09:15:10 PM »

Saxophone hands down, your musical understanding will improve better than if you learnt the cello i think, with a sax you can be the lead role as you get to solo, play in cool bands, timing and phrasing will improve. With the cello there will always be someone else playing the same line as you and you won't get as interesting stuff to play.
I have played a Euphonium all my life pretty much (started off on trumpet) only a few weeks ago had my last lesson ever (sad day!) and it's definatley worth it playing something else besides the guitar, i wouldn't be playing the guitar if i hadn't have had previous musical experience.

Adam.M · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2007, 01:33:13 AM »

Well, thats more reply's than i expected :) always a nice suprise. Thanks for all of them guys :)

I've decided that i'm definately getting a cheap/student level cello that has a decent enough tone that i can live with until a time comes when i want a better/electric one.

I allready have people who want me to play cello for them, and i havent even played one yet!

Theres something about bowed instruments i really love, especially the cello, we did violin in primary school but i was always drawn towards the cello.

I've decided not to bother with the sax, went to try one out and i didnt get along with it at all, my breathing sucks too so i'd be terrible at it.

Picked up a cello and it felt much more natural, more natural than the guitar even...

Apocalyptica MK 2... starting now... ;)

Adam.M · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2007, 01:36:33 AM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

Quote from: Muso
Go with the sax its a way cooler instrument, Cello is mostly played by girls. To be fair tho you can't compare the instruments they are totally different!

Avoid those chinese factory pieces of cr@pola go for a second hand well known brand. Best place to ask is your local music shop.

If I was looking for a Cello I wouldn't look for any "brand" - Aim for a reputable builder, or an aged instrument that plays and sounds good.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with Yamaha or Buffet, etc.

Also - Something that will affect your decision, Cellos do not come cheap. Expect to pay a few grand if you want something nice. Saxophones are infinitely cheaper - But I still wouldn't aim for _anything_ lower than a Yamaha 275, and they come for about £600 new.

Guitars really are insanely cheap in comparison to any other instrument.

I wish i had enough money and could trust myself not to destroy a nicely built cello... though eventually i'd definately want one if i kept up with it :)

It looks like i'm definately going to be playing cello for my flatmate singer songwriter, basic stuff, lots of long drone notes that i can allready do, and someone else.

So having something that's cheap but decent enough sounding is very important to me, i dont want to have something that i'd be too scared to take out to small gigs...

Though i used to do gig photography with a £3,000 camera and a £1,600 lens... hehe.

Adam.M · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2007, 01:41:47 AM »

Quote from: Oli

Go for cello!

Sax = rubbish
Cello = brilliant :)

I'm hoping to build an electric violin after my next couple of guitar builds, and building an electric cello hasn't been too far from my thoughts either, as i got the chance to play one (a regular 'acoustic' one, albeit 3/4 size), and loved it :)

Well if you decide to build an electric cello i'd love to hear about it ;)

Electric cello into marshall stack... hmm.

I was thinking about it myself, i've been looking at them and, well, most of them just look like steinberg guitars to me... they dont even have frets! it can't be all that difficult, it looks easier than building a guitar to me, though im probably wrong...

38thBeatle · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2007, 07:39:23 AM »

Years ago my posh cousin had a Cello and I had a go on it a few times and it was great fun and I did manage to make sense of it.She, however, was totally lost on guitar. She couldn't play without music in front of her and at that time, I couldn't read it.