Berlin Cello Academy

On this page, you find a collection of resources related to the cello: answers to frequently asked questions about the BCA and about learning to play the cello; our specially designed BCA cello endpin holders; contact details for recommended cello makers who rent, repair, and sell instruments; a place where you can look for Berlin amateur orchestras and playing partners; mini tutorials on playing the cello; and a blog that deals with cello-related questions in even greater detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

💬 Can adults really start learning the cello?

The short answer is: yes, definitely! To the long answer, BCA founder Natasha Jaffe has dedicated a whole blog entry.

💬 Do I need to be able to read sheet music before learning the cello?

You don't need any prior skills on the cello or be able to read sheet music when you book one of our classes or sessions designed for Cello Novices (see skill levels). The Beginner Crash Course will teach you all the basics of music theory, note reading, and cello playing that you need to continue learning!

💬 Are your classes mainly dedicated to cello novices and beginners?

Not at all! We have a variety of course offerings, many of which are addressing skill development at more advanced levels. If you would like to improve a particular skill that is not covered yet, get in touch and we'll add it to our course offering or connect you with a private teacher. The ensemble and community events benefit greatly from our more advanced participants and we'd be happy to welcome you!

💬 What if I book a multi-session course but can't make it to all sessions?

That's usually not a problem – we know that life sometimes gets in the way! Make sure to let your instructor know; often we can create video recordings of our classes and give participants exclusive access to them, so they can review the contents some time later or catch up during the course if they miss a session.

💬 What does it mean when a BCA class is offered in English and German?

It means that the instructor speaks both languages fluently and will adjust and translate according to participants' needs. That can concretely mean that the class is fully bilingual and all explanations are given in both languages, or it can mean that one language is the main language – if everyone can follow it – while translations are offered when something is unclear. We want to keep our classes open to as many people as possible and have had good experiences with this model. After all, we're all there to connect through the universal language of music. 🙂 That said, there are also some courses available only in German or only in English. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.

💬 Where can I find sheet music that fits my playing level?

We are working on building a repertoire list organized by skill level. In the meantime, feel free to shoot us an email with a description of your current level and interest in musical styles and we'll share some ideas! Pro tip: the Berlin public library system has a huge collection of cello sheet music that you can browse and borrow for a small annual membership fee.

💬 Do I need to buy a cello to start playing?

We recommend that you first rent a cello before you fully commit – there are several great rental places in Berlin that will also help you with choosing the right cello and take care of any necessary repairs. If you book a BCA Beginner Crash Course, you can directly rent an instrument through us at 50€ for the first month and we'll bring it to the first session! You can also keep renting long-term or ask for advice on purchasing an instrument.

💬 If I want to buy a cello, how do I decide what to buy and how much should I expect to spend?

The right answer to this question is: it depends! – on your budget, on your skill level, on your plans with the cello. We're happy to give you some individual advice if you come to one of our events. Generally speaking: the material is the most important thing that distinguishes a good cello from an inferior one. Cheap cellos are typically made from wood composites; hardwood cellos of all price categories not only sound better but also hold their value over time. Check out Natasha's blog post for a detailed exploration of the question!

BCA Merch: Cello Endpin Holders

A good endpin holder that holds the cello safely in place while playing is an essential accessory for all cellists, but we find that the products on the market are often not tailored to the needs of cellists and have become quite expensive. That's why the BCA has designed its own original, affordable endpin holder: Made with love by cellists for cellists, with sustainable materials and manufactured in Berlin and Brandenburg.

Each piece is unique – the wood grain, color of the rope endpieces, and maximum and minimum cord length vary slightly. However, thanks to the adjustable length and two optional holes, they can easily be set to a length that suits everyone.

The items can be personalized on request with your own design engraved on the wood for an additional 10€ charge – production may take some time though, please inquire individually!

+++

🪢You own a BCA endpin holder and the adjustable knot got loose? No problem! Under this link you find a quick tutorial on how to fix it yourself – or just bring it back to us and we'll help.

Cello Endpin Holder

€10.00

The wooden piece has a size of 11x5cm, making it perfectly portable. The length from chair leg to first hole can be easily adjusted from approx. 50 to 75cm.

Cello Rentals, Repairs, Purchases

Our favorite Berlin-based cellomakers where amateur cellists can get good cellos for rent or to buy include:

Cello Hoffmann: mobile rentals and sales
Markus Scherschel: repairs, rentals, and sales in Schöneberg
Felix Scheit: repairs, rentals and sales in Prenzlauerberg
Herrfurth Streichinstrumente: repairs, rentals, and sales in Tempelhof

Amateur Orchestras and Playing Partners

You're a cellist in Berlin and looking for a group or individuals to play with?

Next to our own Cellibears Cello Ensemble, there is a great number of wonderful amateur orchestras and ensembles in our city. The Landesmusikrat Berlin (State Council of Music) hosts an online bulletin board (in German), where amateur musicians can search for groups and individual playing partners or post their own query for free.

“How To Cello” Mini-Tutorials

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Berlin Cello Academy (@berlincelloacademy)

See BCA Instagram page for more!

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Berlin Cello Academy (@berlincelloacademy)

BCA Blog

Buy, rent, borrow, budget, location, quality... How do I get the right cello?

There are a lot of cellos in the world. I feel like there is even more misinformation about cellos.

So here's an attempt to clear up a few of the basics. Whatever I missed, add it to the comments…

Cellos are an old technology that has been updated only a few times since the 1700s - for the most part, people still build cellos (and violins and violas and basses) much in the same way that Stradivarius and many of his contemporaries like Amati or Guadanini or Montagnana built them. The shape of the body, in the case of the violin and the cello (violas and basses are a story for another day and blog) was more or less perfected by the 1700s, perfect in the sense that for the notes that the cellos needed to play, the body was the exact right size to make them sound as beautifully as possible.

Why Group Classes and Ensembles?

The reason I started cello was because of groups.

Back in the early 90s in South Florida when I was growing up, there was a yearly event called Cellobration that brought together all the local cellists for one day of music-making. My parents are both cellists and would participate as mentors for this event, inviting their students to participate. One of my earliest cello memories is from this event, when I saw, perhaps for the first time, over 100 cellists together on stage playing as an orchestra.

I was blown away. The next year I had convinced my parents to let me start playing. To this day, my absolute favorite group to play with is a cello ensemble.

String players tend to learn to play in groups. As children, we are socialized quite early in small ensembles, then big ensembles, and most often spend our careers playing in groups more than playing as soloists alone on stage. The majority of fellow musicians I've spoken to about this agree that playing with other people is the most fun aspect of playing an instrument. Practicing at home alone is the least fun (though very necessary). My teenage years were not filled with very regular practice, but I rarely missed a youth orchestra rehearsal - meeting up with friends and playing in a group was always a highlight of my week.

For many adults, the idea of learning the cello comes with a quiet question: “Isn’t it too late?”
Short answer: no. Longer answer: adult beginners often have huge advantages — they just don’t realize it.

Unlike kids, adults usually start cello for deeply personal reasons. They love the warm, mellow sound. They want to do something physical and grounding. They miss having regular creativity in their lives. They heard a specific piece of music with cello in it that really stuck with them, and want to be able to play it themselves. That motivation matters more than “talent” ever will.

One of the biggest myths around cello is that you need to start as a kid. While it’s true that many pros began as children, the only true advantage is that they've simply been playing longer. At the Berlin Cello Academy, most of our students didn’t grow up playing music. Many started in their 30s, 40s, 50s — some even later. What they have in common isn’t age or background, but curiosity and the desire to reconnect with music on their own terms.