Client Interview: Matt Parsons

Matt spends most of his time playing music, riding a bike, or writing about and engineering software.

We've decided to occasionally interview some of the wonderful humans who come through our shop. First up is Matt Parsons, who started learning the cello as an adult, has stuck with it, and has really impressed us with his mindset and persistence!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity

THE JOURNEY TO THE CELLO

Nadya: Was there a specific moment that made you think, "I need to play the cello"?

Matt: Honestly, it was childhood movie and video game soundtracks. I just though it was obviously the best-sounding instrument. I wanted to play then, but it's an expensive investment-- both in money and time-- that I didn't have access to until I was an adult.

N: What was it like when you finally picked it up?

M: I'd played guitar for years, so I assumed I'd at least be able to make a decent sound. I was wrong. I actually asked my teacher if something was wrong with the cello. She took it, played it beautifully, and said, "No, it's fine." That was a wake-up call.

N: You actually gave up the first time around-- what happened?

M: I played for about 18 months, but the logistics were a nightmare-- I was Ubering to lessons and renting a basic student instrument. When I asked my teacher how long it would take to stop sounding "offensive" to others, she said, "Honestly? Five years." I decided right then to focus on other things.

N: What brought you back?

M: Five years later, I realized: If I had just stuck with it, I'd sound pretty decent right now. This time, I upgraded everything. Having a high-quality rental instrument (from Denver Violins), and a teacher I actually clicked with made sticking with it so much easier. I also needed an artistic outlet; I'd put music aside to "get a real job", and picking up the guitar again felt like a rut. The cello was a fun new challenge.

PRACTICE

N: How do you carve out practice time as a busy adult?

M: I keep the cello in my home office-- it's always in my peripheral vision, so as soon as I have a break from work, I stand up from my desk and sit right into the cello chair, There's like two seconds of lag time.

N: You mentioned approaching the cello like a "problem-solver"-- how so?

M: When I restarted in 2023, I had a cello with a neck that was literally coming off and a teacher who wasn't a great fit. Instead of getting frustrated, I realized these were just solvable problems. I found a better shop, a better instrument, and a better teacher.

N: Has there been a specific "aha" moment with your technique?

M: Learning how to put weight through my bow hand. I used to hold it with so much tension, but about two months ago, I learned to just relax and let the weight flow through my index finger. It changed everything-- I can play for hours now without pain.

LOOKING AHEAD

N: If you could be awesome at one piece of music a year from now, what would it be?

M: I love the Sarabande and the Prelude from Bach's D Minor Suite. Or if I'm really dreaming, I'd love to play a transposed version of the Chaconne in D Minor.

N: What's your advice for other adults who want to learn something new?

M: It takes a long time, but if you aim to get just a little better every day, the time passes faster than you think. Five years from now, you'll either have started or you won't- and five years is enough time to get good.

N: Any final recommendations?

M: Check out Natalie Haas and Alasdair Fraser. Their shows are incredible and showcase such a cool, fun style of cello playing.

***Editorial note: Natalie Haas will be at the University of Wyoming Cello Festival coming up on April 18, 2026!***