CELLO ACCESSORIES
Below are some cello products that may be helpful for beginning students who are looking for items to help them practice. Prices may vary depending on brand and where it is purchased, so it is recommended to shop around to find the best prices - cello accessories can add up to be fairly expensive!
Please feel free to leave suggestions and/or feedback if you come across any helpful products or suggestions not listed below.
Chromatic Tuner
Cellists need higher-quality tuners since the two lower strings are in a registers that cheaper tuners have difficulty detecting.
 |
Korg TM-40 Large Display Digital Tuner and Metronome
Price: $24.00 - $34.00 This popular model is a combination tuner and metronome which can also play all twelve drones. This only has 7 beat options and some standard subdivision patterns, unlike the Korg MA-30 which has more beat options. Cons: it is not as loud as, and does not have all of the time signatures of the Korg MA-30. |
Metronomes
Digital metronomes have many features that can assist students with keeping a consistent rhythm by providing a visual and auditory aid.
 |
Korg MA-30 Ultra Compact Digital Metronome
Price: $14.00 - $18.00 For students working on rhythm, this has time signatures of: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 8th, triplets, 16th, and variations on the 8th and 16th. This also has a tap in feature to determine tempo. |
 |
Boss Dr. Beat Metronome DB 90
Price: $135 - $170 For professionals, serious students or individuals who like gadgets and have money to burn! The best portable metronome you can buy. Cons: it's a lot bulkier than the smaller tuners and it eats up batteries, so it's best used plugged into a power source. |
Mutes
There are three different mutes that can be purchased depending on how quietly you would like to practice.
 |
Round Tourte Style Cello Mute
Price: $3.00 - $6.75 This mutes only two strings at a time, which allows the two other strings to vibrate so tone is not completely lost. |
 |
Ultra Practice Mute
Price: $4.25 - $16.75 Most popular: This type of rubber practice mute is the most commonly used and comes in many brands from different manufacturers. However, there isn't a considerable difference between the brands so go with the cheapest you can find! |
 |
The String Centre Metal Practice Mute Cello
Price: $14.95 For loud cellos or students that need to practice quietly, the denseness and weight of metal works more effectively in muting the sound. Unfortunately, depending on how thick your bridge is, this mute may not work for you - but the two rubber mutes listed above will fit all bridge sizes. Please be aware that the two prong metal mute may not be ideal for younger students as they can easily fall off with un-proper use, which can damage your cello and in a some cases, too small to fit over the bridge. |
Endpin Anchors (a.k.a. rock stop, slip stop, endpin strap)
Endpin Anchors (a.k.a. rock stop, slip stop, endpin strap) are not created equal! For students practicing on a hard floor surfaces (concrete, tile or nice wooden floors), an endpin anchor is a must! When choosing an endpin anchor, consider whether you want one that's small and portable, or something bulkier with a strap, but more secure.
Below are some endpin anchors that have been tested and recommended by students, with the Pinstop being the favorite.
Below are some endpin anchors that have been tested and recommended by students, with the Pinstop being the favorite.
 |
Pinstop: Hand Finished Maple or Recycled Black Plastic
Price: $10.95 for Recycled Black Plastic & $24.95 for Hand Finished Maple The adhesive surface will stick to almost any floor: vinyl, tile, wood, stone, or concrete. Use it on carpet for the enhanced resonance of a hard floor. When playing outdoors, the Pinstop will actually stick to grass! Cleaning the Pinstop is easy, when needed, with soap and water. It fits in your pocket or accessory pouch and can be used with cello or bass. |
 |
Black Hole Cello Endpin Rest
Price: $14.99 Made by a company that specializes in non-slip rubber products, the Black Hole Cello Stop is a simple means of holding the cello in place - the smoother and harder the floor, the better it works. |
 |
Xeros Endpin Anchor: Cello
Price: $12.00 - $15.00 Most commonly used anchor. Cons: fairly bulky and adjusting the straps can be cumbersome until you get used to it. |
Music Stand
 |
Heavy duty music stand
Price: $19.00 - $35.00 Wire foldable music stands are not recommended for home practice because they can easily tip over and cannot hold more than 2 or 3 books at a time. Many students initially purchase these cheap wire stands only to discover the poor quality and lack of sturdiness; and usually upgrade to the heavy duty music stands shortly thereafter. Purchasing a sturdier music stand in the beginning will avoid that extra step and save you money in the long run. |
Cello Stand
For adults or responsible children who do not have pets that can knock over your cello, this stand can be handy to have. Also, having the cello readily available is a great reminder to go practice!
Don't forget: since the cello will be exposed (not in its case), do not leave it near heaters/coolers or where it can be knocked over. Place the cello stand in a corner or against a wall out of common areas or "foot traffic."
Don't forget: since the cello will be exposed (not in its case), do not leave it near heaters/coolers or where it can be knocked over. Place the cello stand in a corner or against a wall out of common areas or "foot traffic."
 |
Adjustable Cello Stand
Price: $33.00 - $52.00 These adjustable stands allow you to keep your instrument and bow, with its endpin extended, always ready to play. Folding nearly flat for storage, it features two height-adjustable cushioned arms to support the instrument's bottom and a third with a safety bar to secure the neck. The bow hangs from a cushioned hook out of harm's way, behind the instrument and off the floor. |
Posture Peg
To create a comfortable sitting position, students may opt for a posture peg. Students who dislike the C peg touching the back of their head will sometimes slouch or create unnatural positions and postures to avoid it. For these students, an option is to replace the C peg (or both the C&G peg) with a posture peg. Students will need to bring their cello to the local luthier to have the pegs switched out. In some cases, you will need to order the posture peg online and bring it with your cello to the luthier.
A women adult student commented that she wished she had opted for replacing both the C&G pegs (instead of just the C peg) because when she wears her hair in a bun or ponytail her hair sometimes gets tangled in the G peg - a consideration for other women cellists?
Replacing the peg does not affect or damage the pegbox whatsoever, as the plastic posture peg is shaped to the pegbox and not the other way around.
A women adult student commented that she wished she had opted for replacing both the C&G pegs (instead of just the C peg) because when she wears her hair in a bun or ponytail her hair sometimes gets tangled in the G peg - a consideration for other women cellists?
Replacing the peg does not affect or damage the pegbox whatsoever, as the plastic posture peg is shaped to the pegbox and not the other way around.
 |
Posture Peg
Price for one: $75.00 A posture peg key is needed to tune the string. However, if your tailpiece has fine tuners, than most small tuning will occur there. To purchase one posture peg visit Linda West's website. |
Rosin
Suggesting rosin is a difficult task, as it depends on your string selection, cello, how much you like the bow to grip the string and your preference in sound.
Suggestions & more info to follow shortly...
Suggestions & more info to follow shortly...
Strings
Another area where it is difficult to provide suggestions, as this will also depend on your cello and your preferences.
Suggestions & more info to follow shortly...
Suggestions & more info to follow shortly...
Please note: Clayton is not paid to endorse any of these products and product information and/or suggestions are for his student's consideration only.
