Are you looking for the easiest way to learn the cello? Learning the cello can be daunting and difficult, especially for those who are new to it and don’t know where to start.
Having no guidance when starting can make learning the cello feel like an uphill battle. You’re stuck trying to figure out the basics by yourself, and you don’t always have the confidence that you can do it.
However, you can easily overcome these difficulties with the help of online courses. In this guide, we’ve picked the ten best online cello lessons and courses that offer helpful insights, step-by-step guidance from professional instructors, and tailored tips and tricks so that you can quickly master the fundamentals of playing the cello or improve your existing skills and techniques.
Keep reading and find out whether any of the courses listed below might be the right choice for you.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links which means we get a commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.
1. Cello Lessons Online With Mike Block On ArtistWorks
Our top pick for the best online cello course is “Cello with Mike Block,” which you can find on ArtistWorks.com.
This course offers hundreds of multi-style cello lessons, a rich library of videos, play-along backing tracks, sheet music, and a free book of cello etudes.
The lessons are suitable for all styles and levels of experience. They are engaging and easy to follow and understand. They will guide you through classical and contemporary styles and rhythmic exercises and provide you with a bunch of useful shifting and bowing tips.
What makes this course unique is the fact that it gives you the chance to submit your videos for review. They will be reviewed by the teacher, and you will get a response in the form of another video containing detailed feedback and instructions on how to improve your playing and take it to the next level.
In addition, you will get access to the Video Exchange library, where you will find the videos exchanged between the teacher and other students and use these as learning material too.
All lessons are taught by Mike Block. Mike is a pioneering composer and multi-style cellist known for playing cello while standing up. He has vast experience performing solo and has recorded with many musicians, including Alison Krauss, Stevie Wonder, Edgar Meyer, Lenny Kravitz, and others. He also has extensive experience working as a cello teacher and is passionate about sharing his rich knowledge with students.
Sign up for this course today and learn how to play the cello in many styles from a true virtuoso without leaving the comfort of your home, all at more than a reasonable price range.
2. Udemy—Cello For Adult Beginners
The second spot on our list belongs to the paid “Cello for Adult Beginners” course offered by Udemy.
This course is suitable for any adult who wants to learn the basics of how to play the cello and their favorite pieces from the comfort of their own home. This will work best for beginners who have never touched the cello before, but intermediate and advanced-level learners can benefit from it too, as it can help them refresh their knowledge and brush up on their skills.
You will learn the basics of how to play the cello and produce beautiful music: two études and five pieces with video accompaniment when applicable. You will learn fun facts about the history of the cello and be provided with tips about getting a cello if you already don’t have one. Besides this, you will learn the fundamentals of rhythm, music theory, and how to read music through the companion course lessons.
The lessons are fun and easy to follow. In addition to the curricular videos, which also have Spanish subtitles, you will get a downloadable warmup packet and method book created for this course, videos of all music you cover, and access to the teacher’s feedback at any time.
As for the teacher, if you pick this course, you will get the chance to be taught by Benjamin Fryxell, a cellist from Cincinnati, Ohio, who has a lot of experience performing on the concert stage and who won numerous awards and competitions. Ben is very dedicated to his students, so you can be sure he will teach you everything you need to advance in your cello adventure.
Click the link below to check the current price of the course and all the benefits that it offers.
3. SkillShare Online Cello Lesson Classes
Another amazing resource for online cello lessons is SkillShare. SkillShare’s top-rated cello courses make learning the basics easy, accessible, and fun. From beginner to advanced levels, you can find the perfect one to fit your musical needs with professional instructors eager to teach.
The most popular course offered by this platform is “Beginner Cello Lessons: How to Play Cello” by Maxim Kozlov. It provides everything you need to start playing the cello.
It is organized into short, easy-to-follow lessons designed for beginners to help them learn to play their first melodies. It’s ideal for beginners, but it will also work for intermediate and advanced-level learners who are experiencing various issues and want to work on overcoming those troubles and improving their skills.
You will learn how to hold a cello and a bow, how to play pizzicato and maintain the bow, finger numbering, parts of a cello and how to tune it, the names of the strings, how to read notes, basic rhythm and counting beats, dotted rhythm and how to subdivide, how to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Happy Birthday to You.”
The lessons are taught by Maxim Kozlov, who has been playing cello for over 40 years and has given thousands of performances all over the world. He also has over 25 years of teaching experience, so you can relax knowing that you will learn from a knowledgeable and experienced teacher.
Sign up for this course and get ready to make some beautiful music with Maxim’s cello lessons!
4. Cello Academy
The next on our list of the best online resources for cello lessons is Cello Academy. It offers 15-minute lessons and the opportunity to master the cello at your own pace, no matter where you are.
With Cello Academy, you can learn from Hans “Enke” Zentgraf, one of the world’s best cello players, and become an expert yourself in no time! His free online lessons are easy to follow and are perfect for all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced players.
The most popular options you will find on the Cello academy website are “Beginners,” which offers a series of courses for beginners to introduce them to the fundamentals of cello playing and help them acquire some basic skills, and “Cello-Technique” course, offering videos dealing with different themes. In these videos, the teacher talks, plays the piece, and then provides tips on how to overcome various difficulties.
Besides these, there is the “Play with Piano program,” which offers videos to help you learn two short and wonderful pieces for cello and piano, and “Cello Repertoire,” which will help you enhance your cello repertory, harmonic and formal analysis, provide technical advice on how to play the movement and a lot more.
Pick one of these options, and don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from the best of and master the cello in no time.
5. Olga Redkina Online Cello Lessons
The next resource we’ve picked for you is “Olga Redkina Online Cello Lessons.” This site offers cello classes for learners of all levels of experience, from absolute beginners to intermediate and advanced learners.
It gives you the possibility to choose a one-month, three-month, or one-year subscription. After becoming a member, you will get access to fun and engaging video lessons that will guide you through the basics of cello playing and those more complicated matters and help you gain new skills or improve those that you already have.
All lessons are based on the Flipped Classroom model and allow you to choose your own pace and learn in an innovative way. They are taught by the famous cellist Olga Redkina. She is one of the world’s best cellists, soloists, and teachers willing to share her knowledge and experience with her students, help them achieve their goals, and master the art of cello playing.
Apart from her standard lessons, you can also arrange private Skype lessons with Olga and get immediate feedback on your playing and a bunch of useful tips. In addition, there are many online events offered on the website, such as Zoom masterclasses, concerts, and summer camps.
All in all, there are a lot of options on Olga’s website that can keep you engaged and help you advance in your cello journey, from easy-to-follow video lessons to private lessons and online events. Choose what best suits you and learn at your own pace with one of the best cello teachers.
6. Yo-Yo Ma Teaches Music And Connections On Masterclass
Next up, we have a course that isn’t actually a cello course, but we think you’ll definitely be interested in it. Brought to you from MasterClass, this next one is legendary cellist and musician “Yo-Yo Ma Teaches Music and Connections.”
If you haven’t heard of it, MasterClass is one of the most popular streaming platforms these days, where you can find lessons and courses on a wide range of topics such as business, cooking, photography, sports, writing, acting, music, and a lot more.
As we said, this one isn’t cello tuition per se, but it guides you through the interesting philosophy about the meaning of music instead and is taught by one of the greatest living cellists: Yo-Yo Ma.
Yo-Yo Ma has spent more than sixty years creating meaning through music. He won numerous awards, among which are 18 Grammy Awards, and through his lessons, he wants to share the experience he gained.
He explains how music can be a source of meaning, imagination, connection, and understanding, and offers an interesting philosophy about embracing the emotional power of music, expanding your self-expression and creativity, and developing a deep appreciation for the ability of music to connect people and culture.
Pick this course, sit back in your chair, and relax while listening to Yo-Yo Ma’s lessons.
7. Cellobello
Cellobello is another online education website where you can find a large number of free cello courses and lessons, as well as masterclasses and seminars.
Created by Paul Katz, a professor of cello at the New England Conservatory in Boston, this site gives a chance to anyone looking for a way to learn cello to do it in an easy and fast way regardless of their level of experience.
There you will find targeted lessons that focus on specific skills and techniques, such as those for left or right hand only, body awareness, performance, and many others. These lessons are simple to follow and understand and are taught by Paul Katz and many other internationally recognized cellists.
All teachers are very dedicated and passionate about sharing their knowledge with students and motivating them to give their best and achieve their goals.
This site also offers you the opportunity to take part in live CelloChats broadcasts via YouTube and Facebook and connect with the community.
Click the link below to go to the site, check out the exceptional lessons that it offers, and pick the right one for your needs and budget.
8. CelloOnline
Another great learning resource for learners of all levels, ages, and styles is CelloOnline. What’s the best thing about this site is that all lessons offered there are free.
You will find lessons on cello basics that will teach you how to play and properly hold the cello and bow. You will learn everything about tuning, cello finger placement and fingering charts, how to take care of your cello, change strings, and many other things.
You will acquire new skills and cello techniques needed to play your favorite melodies and find out how to choose the best cello, find the best teacher, and practice in a way that will give you the fastest results. You will also have cello exercises that will strengthen and improve your cello playing.
Besides this, you will get access to the free cello sheet music and the chance to explore the style and musical form of cello music throughout history in a free cello class.
With all this, CelloOnline can be a convenient and helpful tool in your little cello adventure. Check it out!
9. Master The Cello
Master the Cello offers online classes and instructional videos that can help you acquire the knowledge and practical skills you need to play the cello confidently.
The program uses a unique Dounis Method, which is an interesting approach to cello teaching inspired by the famous Greek teacher.
The site offers you the opportunity to buy a book about the Dounis string method, featuring hundreds of exercises and a guide through all principles of cello playing.
All lessons you will find on this site are well-presented and easy to follow. They cover a wide range of topics and are designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to intermediate and advanced learners. You will go through the fundamentals of cello playing and advance to more complicated matters.
You will be learning from Byron Duckwall, a professional cellist with over 30 years of experience in this area. He will guide you patiently and support you on every step toward mastering the art of cello-playing.
Another great thing about this site is the possibility to join weekly Zoom classes that function as a virtual classroom and allow you to actively participate and engage in discussions.
In all, Master the Cello is a great learning resource suitable for everyone looking for live virtual classes and learning in a fun, engaging, and effective way.
10. AdultCello—Cello In 30 Days: The Ultimate Beginner Course
And finally, the last spot on our list belongs to Adult Cello, which teaches adults to play the cello in a very short time without making them spend an entire fortune on their lessons.
Billy Tobenkin, the tutor and founder of this site, created the platform to make sure all eager adult learners have the resources and support they need to achieve their goals.
The “Cello in 30 Days: The Ultimate Beginner” course offered by this site covers thirty step-by-step lessons for beginners and promises to teach you the cello in only thirty days. You will get a nicely structured lesson plan you need to go from cello beginner to confident player.
You will learn how to hold the cello and bow, cello anatomy, how to tune and tape your cello, left and right-hand techniques, and much more. Click the link below to go to the site and see what else this amazing website offers.
Summing Up Our List Of Best Online Cello Lessons
The cello is an extremely fun and entertaining instrument to play, but it can also be frustrating to learn. Learning how to play the cello requires a lot of patience, persistence, and discipline.
Online cello lessons are a good way to learn this instrument quickly with low costs and the convenience of learning from home.
In this guide, we’ve picked the ten very best options available these days, and we hope our guide helped you make your decision on which one would best work for you.
However, if you are indecisive and still can’t make up your mind, we recommend “Cello with Mike Block,” offered by ArtistWorks.com. It covers hundreds of multi-style lessons and gives you access to a video exchange platform and library, play-along backing tracks, sheet music, and a lot more to help you learn the cello in the shortest period possible and make your dreams come true.
