In addition to a cello and bow, all cello students need to have an endpin strap, an armless chair at an appropriate height, rosin, and a tuning app. Most students find it helpful to have a music or tablet stand, cello stand, humidifier, and strings. Here are my cello equipment recommendations for high quality options for your cello playing needs. I do not receive commission or sponsorship for any of these products, so if you find this list helpful, please consider supporting me on Patreon or trying out private lessons.
Cellos
It is highly recommended that students purchase or rent a cello from a local luthier or music store that specializes in violin family string instruments. It is not recommended to purchase an instrument from Amazon or eBay because of their low quality! If you would like advice on where to purchase an instrument online, please email me at samscellostudio@gmail.com.
Endpin Straps
I recommend all cellists use a strap to secure their endpin. Every “donut” or “rock stop” I have ever tried (and there have been a lot of them) have not worked as well as a strap. With straps you have the peace of mind that your endpin won’t slip, you won’t make scratches or holes in the floor, and you will be able to be more consistent with your cello posture.
Xeros Cello Endpin Anchor
Hands down the best endpin strap out there and the one I recommend for everyone!
Chairs
Chairs may be the single most important piece of cello equipment. In order to be able to play with relaxed back and shoulders, cellists need chairs that are as tall as their knees, or a little taller. Also, in order to be able to move the bow freely, a cellist’s seat needs to be free from armrests. If you don’t already have a chair that meets these requirements, I recommend the Adjustrite line of musician chairs. They are designed specifically for cellists’ needs, are all adjustable, and are very well constructed.
Adjustrite Junior Musician’s Stool
The stool is designed for young cellists playing on cellos of 1/8 size or smaller. It is perfect for helping encourage young cellists to sit at the front of the seat since it doesn’t have a chair back.
Adjustrite Folding Musician’s Chair Standard
The standard chair is designed for cellists playing cellos of 1/4 size or larger. The seat of the chair is gently sloped forward, making it very comfortable when sitting at the front of the seat while playing, but also has a seat back for those who need the support.
Adjustrite Folding Musician’s Chair Tall
The tall chair is designed for cellists who are around 1.8 m (6 ft) or taller. The design is identical to that of the standard chair, except with longer legs.
Rosin
Rosin needs to be applied to bows about every 2 hours of playing and only needs to be replaced when it breaks. One doesn’t have to spend much on rosin, but fancy rosin can make a nice gift!
D’Addario Natural Rosin
An affordable rosin option that is perfect for beginners. It is available in light and dark, both of which are great.
Pirastro Cellisto Rosin
Great rosin for intermediate and advanced cellists.
Liebenzeller Gold IV Cello Rosin
My favorite rosin! I highly recommend it for advanced cellists.
Apps
A tuner app and a metronome app are essential practice tools. There are many to choose from, but in my opinion, these are the best.
Guitar Tuna
Free tuning app available for Android and iOS devices.
Metronome: Tempo
Paid metronome app available for Android and iOS devices.
Music, Tablet, and Cello Stands
Cellists who read sheet music need either a music stand for paper sheet music, or a tablet stand for PDF viewing. Cellists who want to store their instrument outside of their case need a stand to keep it secure. Any stand designed for these purposes will do, but below you will find my recommendations for this important type of cello equipment.
Manhasset Concerto Stand (Model 48CA)
Made for cellists, this stand is shorter than Manhasset’s common stand, but is just as sturdy. Perfect to keep at home, but bulky to transport
K&M Ruka Ultra Lightweight Folding Music Stand
This stand is great for traveling. It is light, compact, sturdy, and comes with a carrying case. Hands down the best folding music stand!
AirTurn Manos Universal Tablet Holder
This tablet holder is fantastic! It is fully adjustable, fits all sizes of tablet, and allows to you turn the tablet between vertical and horizontal viewing. In addition to being lightweight, it is very sturdy, so you never need to worry about your tablet falling.
Ingles Adjustable Cello and Bass Stand
This cello stand keeps the cello and bow safe between practice sessions without having to pack it all up. It is adjustable to fit a cello with the endpin in or out.
Humidifiers
Cellos prefer a humidity level of about 40-60%. Dry weather can cause cellos to go out of tune, warp, and/or crack. This especially effects those living in climates where winter weather gets below freezing. Using a humidifier during months in which heaters are on is highly recommended.
Dampit Cello Humidifier
The best humidifier for cellos in soft cases because it fits inside the cello’s sound holes. The sponge inside the humidifier needs to be filled once a week. If you have a 1/8 size or smaller cello, you’ll need the one made for violas.
Stretto Cello Humidifier
This is a great humidifier for use in hard cases. It comes with a sticker velcro to the inside a case, but it also fits in most accessory bags. The bag needs to be filled once a month
Strings
A piece of cello equipment, you can’t play without, strings can be purchased in sets or individually and a cello’s strings need to be replaced once a year. Some strings are available in different tensions. I recommend purchasing medium tension strings at first. Note that not all strings are available in all fraction sizes.
If you own your own cello, I recommend having a set of either new or used strings on hand in case one breaks. If you are renting a cello, refer to the rental company for their policies on string replacement.
Prelude
Prelude are the least expensive strings I recommend and work well for beginner cellists. They come in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full size.
Jargar
Jargar strings are bright and responsive, making them fairly easy to play by intermediate and advanced cellists. They come in 1/2, 3/4, and full size.
Helicore
Helicore strings are very high quality and produce a beautiful sound for intermediate and advanced cellists. They come in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full size.
Kaplan
Kaplan are great strings for advanced students. They only come in full in full size.
Larsen and Spirocore
A common combination among advanced students and professionals, Larsen A and D strings, Spirocore Tungsten G and C strings. You will need to buy these strings individually, not as a set. This combination only comes in full size.
Mutes
Practice Mute
Practice mutes are perfect for when you don’t want others to hear practicing like if you have thin walls, are practicing in a shared living space, or just want your practice sounds to be more private. Practice mutes come in both metal and rubber, but I only recommend rubber mutes as metal mutes can squeeze the bridge and scratch the cello when they fall off, which they sometimes do. Rubber mutes are ideal because they form to the bridge nicely.
Ensemble Mute
Mutes for ensemble playing reduce the volume and change the timbre a moderate amount. They are ideal for orchestral and chamber music settings and are the most common mute out there. They are usually made of rubber and most sit on the strings, making it easy to put on and take off.
Solo Mute
Solo mutes only reduce the volume by a little bit, but they still change the timbre of the instrument, making them perfect for those rare cases in solo playing that call for a mute. Ones made of ebony are hard to put on an off, but they make such a lovely sound.
Cello Equipment Questions
Have questions about cello equipment? Email me at samscellostudio@gmail.com and I will be happy to help you!