I am thinking maybe I am to old to learn to play cello (i am 24). I actually plan on going to school for music education and I wanted to learn to play cello a little bit before I went. I have been playing Guitar/Bass for a little over 8 years now so I have some musical knowledge. Basically I would need to learn the techniques to hold the cello, bow, etc. Would this feat be un-obtainable without the help of an instructor? Music theory is universal, it is the instruments that have different playing styles. So with the basic knowledge of music, could I teach myself with the help of online lessons, books, dvds, etc. to play the cello? Has anyone done it like this before? I heard Yo Yo-ma play cello and it is just an amazing beautiful relaxing instrument and I just have to learn. Any help or advice would be a tremendous help. Thank you in advance.

"Online lessons" are no lessons at all; a teacher has to be physically present.

In order to be admitted to most music schools you need to pass an instrumental audition. Is your "bass" a bass guitar or a double bass? Do you play classical guitar?

Are you sure there are no cello teachers in your area? If there really aren't, why don't you wait till you get to college and then enroll in a String Technique class?

I do have a classical guitar and can play it somewhat. I guess I could expand my knowledge and technique on that instrument. Would they accept that in an audition to a music program at a college? I play an electric bass. I currently have a 4 string Jazz bass, 5 string warwick corvette with a high c string, and I am waiting on a custom made 7 string that hopefully will be ready around march. I also have a keyboard (pianos are too expensive and I have no room for it in my current residence) that I am beginning to tinker with as well.

You should be able to get in to most music schools if you are sufficiently proficient in classical guitar (exactly how proficient depends on the school), but if you want actually to find a job as a music teacher in public schools you'd be better off playing a wind or string instrument or studying piano and voice. I'd suggest attending a two-year community or junior college first (whatever they're called in your particular state--I'm assuming you're living in the U.S.) so as to get your bearings.

Don't give up on cello lessons until you've checked to see if any of the local public school music teachers are cellists (and check music stores as well, of course).

Update....found a cello teacher....two actually. So I will start lessons on Jan 14. Anyone have any suggestions on what type of cello to purchase if I like it? I will be renting one for a while because that is a big investment if I dont like it. How hard do you think the transition will be from a Bass guitar to a cello? Thanks again.

I'm glad you found a teacher, and I think renting a cello at first is a good idea.

The only problem I have with playing both the cello and the bass guitar is that for some reaon I get the open third strings (G and A respectively) confused. I don't know why this is, and, oddly enough, it's only the open notes--not a significant problem, anyway.

I think it's cool, by the way, to put down the cello bow altogether sometimes and play pizzicato using bass guitar right-hand finger technique or classical guitar right-hand finger technique.

The normal cello left-hand finger span, a minor third, is the same as the guitar's (not the bass guitar's), but since the cello is tuned in fifths, not fourths, the cello requires more shifting and figuring out fingering except in first position (you'll be staying in first position for a while).