How Much Should You Practice Playing Cello?

If you’re new to practicing playing the cello, it may be difficult to determine how much rehearsal is enough. How long should your practice routine be, and by what standard will you determine if the practice is actually advancing your playing ability? Working with a music teacher can help you ensure that your practice time is spent wisely, whether you’re playing for a half hour or multiple hours a day. But how can you improve your self-directed practice routine?

The amount of practice you get certainly makes a difference, but the quality of your practice is what builds real skills. Reading and rereading sheet music or superficially playing through pieces isn’t going to help you learn as much as focused, intentional practice. So how do you take your rehearsal to the next level and raise your cello skill along with it? Here are some suggestions for more effective practice sessions.

Can You Overdo It?

It’s important to learn the right way to practice cello. Even thirty minutes of efficient practice could do more for you than 10,000 hours of rote repetition and playing.

Whether you’re a beginner or advanced player, having a keen awareness of every note and movement as you play will show you the techniques that are working and the ones that aren’t. By contrast, any instructor will tell you that simply playing the piece over and over may actually be counterproductive: it can cement mistakes into your upcoming performance. Too much of the wrong kind of practice can hurt you more than you think, so we recommend avoiding unfocused practice sessions. 

The Perfect Amount Of Time For You

Getting better at playing the cello is less about how much you should practice and more a matter of how you should practice. Practicing the right way is what will actually help you improve, and you need the appropriate materials to do so. Whether it’s finding the right cello strings or buying a practice mute so you have more flexibility with when and where you can play, having the proper cello accessories can make a big difference in your practice routine.

You can assure your teacher that you are always in time (and in style) with the SoundBrenner Core Steel metronome that doubles as a smartwatch. And don’t let all your hard work go to waste; make sure you protect your cello with a high-quality case like one of the new Galaxy Supernovas. Browse the Johnson String Instrument site today to browse our catalog of high quality cello accessories.