...It is amazing at just how sad and poignant a hunk of lumber like a cello can sound.
It is a very difficult instrument to just carry around, much less play.
Conservatory could be challenging for me, when I was there. Hauling around the instrument, along with a pack of books and snacks was NO FUN!
I was really handy with my feet...I could get the door open, and then hold it wide with my right foot as I entered a hall. My most 'interesting' time was when my quartet played for a dinner for a very prominent Politician. The security staff damn near didn't let me in. My cello had the usual 'retractible' endpin, that cannot be removed, unless you just break open the bottom of the cello, but one asshole kept saying that it was a weapon. The Supervisor checked it out, and saw that it could not be removed, and let me in, but cautioned me to just sit my butt in my chair once I entered, and to NOT hand the cello to ANYONE ELSE!
I just meekly said..."Yes, Sir." (The gig paid VERY WELL...and I needed the money.) My most memorable event transporting the instruments occurred a couple years ago. I was entering a hotel, and I had a cello strapped to my back, another cello hanging over my left shoulder, the handle of my gamba in my right hand, and dragging my roll-along suitcase in my left hand...and I was already in a bad mood.
The doorman asked..."Are you a musician?"
I will leave how I responded as 'an exercise for the student'...but I was let in...after profuse apologies.
Anyway...such is the life of a cellist...
