Cello Practice Accessories

Generic mute. If you’re in orchestra and you see the marking “con sord.” this is the mute to get. It hooks onto your strings. It is NOT as strong as a Practice Mute. Should be less than $10.

I loved this rosin for years. It’s got a mellow, sweet sound. It’s not as loud as Larsen, and now I just want to blast, so I swapped out. But for most players I think this is the rosin to get.

Loud loud loud rosin. If you want grippy rosin for strong strings, this is the answer. Otherwise, I’d get the Bernardel.

This is the chair I have for students. Great for kiddos or the extra-tall. Should be under $300.

Bad picture - there is just a single stand. It’s what I use and is designed specially for cellists. I like it because in concerts, the audience can actually see me. Under $100.

Generic rockstop, if your cello slides around when you practice (or you play in orchestra) just grab one. Under $10.

Any mirror will do, but I like that this one has the adjustable stand on the back so it can be easily angled to see your cello. Should be ~$50.

My cello box is from back in the day, so there isn’t an exact equivalent, but here is one similar to mine for under $200.

The best overview of the history of the cello as an instrument, its players, the famous makers, the famous pieces, this is a must.

Absolutely a blast to look through, every major composer gets a colorful two-page spread with info and I attribute a lot of my composer knowledge to hours spent flipping through this book.

I re-read this one every year. Murakami, who ran dozens of marathons, decides to train for the Honolulu Marathon in his 60’s. A reflection on writing, patience, and acceptance.

Murakami’s recent memoir, which focuses more on the creative process and what it means to be a professional creative.

Murakami developed a friendship with the late conductor of the Boston Symphony, Seiji Ozawa, and this was an interesting set of conversations to read.

John Cage wrote a composition entitled 4’33”, which is apparently 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence. This book includes his Mesostics, the Lecture on Nothing, the Lecture on Something, and other philosophical musings. The essays inside are programmable works of spoken “music.”

Shostakovich is my guy. I was all about this biography in high school. He was a 20th-century Russian dissident who may have been the greatest musical genius since Mozart. His music walked a literal knife’s edge of what the government found acceptable or punishable.

Pablo Casals was a Spanish (er, Catalan) cellist who popularized the Bach Suites in the early part of the 20th century, played for JFK at the White House, etc.

Jacqueline was a mid-century cellist who popularized the Elgar Cello Concerto, married Daniel Barenboim, and eventually succumbed to Multiple Sclerosis.

Rostropovich, the great Russian cellist. This biography was written by Elizabeth Wilson, who wrote the Shostakovich biography (above). Everyone who was anyone wrote for Rostopovich (including Shostakovich).

My over-ear headphones. I love them but if you have traditional pegs (rather than my Posture Pegs) they kinda bonk. ~$200. I think Bose is phasing these out.

My iPad / iPhone stand. Should be under $50.

This is how I turn pages on my iPad in concerts. Should be ~$75.

This is the tuner that I use; much more accurate than what is available through the phone, with 3 levels of pickiness. Should be under $100.

Mine is the older DB-88 and of course your phone has a metronome now… but this is the super-advanced, crazy-serious metronome since I occasionally get asked about it. Probably not worth it for most players. ~$125.

For playing live shows that need it. Clips onto the bridge. NOT recommended for recording. ~$150.

For composing your own music, but in the style of a Leuchterm or Moleskine.