Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

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 of Cello 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.