Learning to play the cello

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Are you, like me, tired of Covid? Hearing about it, talking about it and stepping into the second wave? Absolutely, we need to be vigilant as we move into winter and the flu season looms. 

Recently, i started to play the cello again after many years away. .Even as a young girl, I loved its deep, soothing sound which filled me up in a way I could appreciate but not really understand at the time.

First I had to embrace the idea – and frustrations – of becoming a beginner at this stage of my life.  And of course, I had to find a cello and a teacher.

For many of us, becoming a beginner as an older adult is challenging. We more often direct our time and energy to familiar interests and activities, so we don’t have to feel that bumbling awkwardness that a beginner does.

But we know there are good reasons – besides being stuck at home so much because of Covid – to stretch ourselves out of our comfort zone from time to time. Like me, you’ve probably heard how good it is to learn something new.

Studies show that healthy neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt and create new neural pathways – helps us stay engaged, and builds flexibility and resiliency. Neuroplasticity is nourished in older adults when we learn unfamiliar things that require prolonged and active mental engagement.

This research bolstered my courage to become a beginner yet again and start my search for a cello. I began by looking into buying a good quality second-hand instrument but was unsuccessful searching on my own, so I was grateful for a friend’s suggestion that I meet with a luthier, Marcel Picard. My first learning: a luthier is a maker of stringed instruments.

Marcel kindly offered to sell me a beautiful used cello but it was beyond my price point. He then suggested I borrow an instrument and talked about Joe’s Musical Instrument Lending Library housed at the Tett Centre.

So off to the Lending Library I went. This amazing resource – is just $15.00 annually and allows you to borrow from over 750 instrument for up to 60 days.

The instruments are cleaned and put aside for three days for Covid-safety reasons, for which i was grateful. The young people there found me an instrument with clear markers in white tape for the finger placement.  I trundled off with my Library cello, grateful for all the help I’d received from friends and strangers up to this point.

So I’m learning how to hold the bow; learn the names of the strings and finger placement. During my first few attempts I felt like I was pushing through thick mud, each step sticky and difficult. Now it’s starting to get a bit easier and I’ve begun to enjoy myself and the tender, resonant sound of the cello lifts my spirit.  Next step, find a teacher who’s happy to work with older beginners.

So do I think it’s worth it to embrace the challenges of learning something new and wrestling with all the awkwardness of being a beginner at my age?  Even at this very early stage of my “cello journey”, I can say a big “yes” to that.  I’ve met some interesting folks, I’ve learned about luthiers, I’m listening to classical music (especially the inimitable Yo Yo Ma playing the Bach Cello suites) again and I’m making friends with a new ally who’s always there and ready to be played whenever I’m feeling a bit lonely or isolated…and I’m just get started.

Maybe it’s time to think about what new activity or interest you want to cultivate as our weather turns blustery and we all head back inside for the next few months.  Let me know how you make out!

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