playing the cello?

Violin is my primary instrument, but I teach Middle School strings...I do play cello frequently. As a "crossover", I hope I can give you some help.

The transition may cause some extra tension in your shoulder...the position of your bow arm and the direction you are moving will work your shoulder muscles differently. Remember, you had to work up endurance on the violin, too.

Any of that type of discomfort should go away pretty quickly...if you have more aches than that, the Lisa is probably right...tension. Another crossover problem from violin to cello is that violinists don't have to anchor our instruments to anything but ourselves, the endpin presents a new challenge. I find that I still tense up when I think the cello is not completely stationary. Make sure that you have a good rockstop.

If you are taking lessons over the summer, then you should make sure that your teacher knows that you previously played violin, and tell them about the shoulder pain. If they are worth what you're paying then they should be able to fix it.

I have also experienced shoulder pain playing the cello - for me it has been my left shoulder & upper back on that side. Tension caused mine. Not relaxing my shoulder and squeezing the heck out of the cello neck. My doctor prescribed various stretches for my arms, shoulders, back which I do a little before and after playing. Also, consciously relaxing and checking my shoulders, as I used to raise them and be tense all the time. Perhaps this applies to you. Try shoulder stretches, etc. and a heat pack sometimes if tension is behind the problem, consulting an experienced cellist and doctor if it continues. I am troubled less and less with pain as I have learned to relax. My guess is that tension is the culprit with you, often a problem when trying intensely to do a new skill.

No, it isn't. Here are some pointers.

1) Talk to your teacher and have him/her watch you play. I have a feeling you're tense.

2) Always warm up before you play: shoulder rolls, head rolls, arm and hand stretches, back stretches, etc.

3) Always be conscious of tension. I bet you're raising your shoulders when you play. Make sure they are relaxed. They should never be raised.

Edit: Wire makes a good point about the end pin. However, professional cellists rarely use rock stops. My end pin is needle sharp. Sticks into everything! I don't even own a rock stop anymore. But beware of tensing the shoulders and your upper back. It's a KILLER. Trust me.

Good luck.

~Lisa