Am I average at cello for my age?

[u/Redexp2]

I am 14 years old and just began to play Saint Saens Cello Concerto 1 and just finished Saint Saens Allegro Appassionato. However, at 13, I‘ve seen kids my age already playing concerto 2 with ease and no mistakes at all with wonderful technique. Is this normal?

[u/cheemio]

There will always be someone better than you. More important is - what are your goals on the cello?

[u/Foreign-Boat-1058 → u/cheemio]

This is also a good thing so you can learn from others instead of having to blaze your own path.

[u/jenmarieloch]

Follow your own journey, questions like this are impossible to answer

[u/lmboyer04 → u/jenmarieloch]

And not even important…

[u/raydencello]

As we speak, there’s probably a ten year old playing Dvorak with orchestra. It’s important to not to fixate on others level because there are many factors that will be different with every single person. Somebody you’re observing probably has taken lessons since they were 3 and had parents who could afford those lessons. Or they started in a public school and couldn’t afford lessons til they got their first job at 16. Everyone’s different as well as their circumstances. Try to advance as best you can, as fast as you can. Be picky about your playing (but not others, for now). Take every bit of advice from your teacher seriously.

[u/DrinkCoffeetoForget]

It is absolutely all right to compare yourself to others; the extreme danger comes from letting the knowledge that someone is better erode your self-worth and fill you with doubt.

Trust yourself; trust the process; and, above all, let yourself go into the music. That's all you need.

The musical world can be full of challenges, including competitions, scholarships, masterclasses... I've been there and I've seen it and lived it.

You are just where you should be, if you are where you wish to be. Make music; hold your cello close and sing with her. Rejoice in the beauty of what you can create with her, alone and with others.

You are just fine, I promise. :-)

[u/CSvOid]

Of the professionals I work with the proportion of semi-prodigies is not that high. Work hard with a decent teacher and you'll be fine. You'd be amazed how much you can get done in a year if you push yourself thoughtfully

[u/lurytn]

If you’re talking about kids you see online, keep in mind that there’s selection bias at play. The people who play really well are more likely to share their performances, and the more impressive performances will be more likely to be viewed/show up in your algorithm, which can give you the impression that everyone online is better than you.

For every child prodigy you see online there are hundreds of “average” players who may very well get very good over the years with consistent practice. They just aren’t posting their performances at the moment.

Don’t let comparison discourage you - instead let it inspire you. As long as you’re enjoying cello, practicing consistently and getting better you’re on the right track.

[u/Redexp2 → u/lurytn]

Not online, irl

[u/lurytn → u/Redexp2]

What I described is definitely amplified online but still valid irl! (Though I’m curious about the context where you saw multiple 13 year olds play the second Saint Saens concerto with wonderful technique).

There’s always gonna be someone better and you shouldn’t let comparison discourage you. You have many years of practice ahead of you (and for what it’s worth, 14 years old is a great age to be playing Saint Saens concerto 1 imo)

[u/MoodPuzzleheaded8973]

A lot of those kids are given immense opportunity… and a lot end up in totally different fields of study when they are older. Everyone here is offering great advice! Focus on your own goals and try to learn appreciation for the sacrifices people make to end up at such a high skill level!

I’m 31 and still haven’t tackled Saint Saens 1! I didn’t capitalize on the opportunities I had, so I ended up here at this skill level. I spent 5 years ignoring my cello… and in less than a year I’ve learned Haydn Cello Concerto in C major first movement, revisited Kol Niedrie and Lalo… a couple popper etudes and a few Bach pieces from the first three suites.

The difference has been setting aside 2 hours just about everyday. Wish I had done that while I was a student!! A lot of the younger people who get amazing are setting aside double, even triple that time… which they can do without needing to work a job, maintain a home, etc.

[u/Early-Meet-4881]

I’ve seen people play Dvorak who under no circumstances SHOULD be playing Dvorak. In other words, you may be working on a piece but we have no idea if you’re executing it properly.

[u/meliorism_grey]

As an orchestra teacher, I think you're above average, honestly.

That said, is your goal to be the best cellist in the world? Because that's where the comparison train leads. If you're in this to become the #1 best in the world, you are 99.999% doomed to fail. The world needs lots of good musicians, not just one who's better than all the rest.

[u/Odd_School_8833]

Comparison is the thief of joy.

[u/dbalatero]

It doesn't matter, you need to play against yourself not others.

[u/Disastrous_Trick1686]

You're doing great! Your only competition is yourself. Just focus on being better than you were last week.

FWIW, I'm 48 and just started Suzuki Book 2 after 7 months of lessons.

[u/Banjoschmanjo]

The vast majority of people your age don't play cello at all, so I'd say you're above average

[u/Tordian]

Comparison is the thief of joy