author
Arthur Broadley
b. 1872
Known for practical books on cello playing and instrument care, this early music writer spoke directly to students who wanted clear, useful guidance. His work still feels approachable because it blends technique, common sense, and a teacher’s ear for real-world problems.
1 Audiobook
Chats to 'Cello Students
by Arthur Broadley
About the author
Arthur Broadley was a British writer on music, remembered above all for his books on the violoncello. His best-known work, Chats to 'Cello Students, was published in 1899 and presents cello study in a friendly, conversational way, drawing on his own experience as a teacher.
Other books linked to him include Adjusting and Repairing Violins, 'Cellos, Etc.: A Practical Handbook for All Players (1908) and The Violoncello: Its History, Selection, and Adjustment (1921). Together, these works suggest an author deeply interested not only in performance, but also in the history, setup, and upkeep of string instruments.
Reliable biographical detail about his personal life appears to be scarce in the sources available here, so it is safest to focus on the books themselves. What comes through clearly is his plainspoken, hands-on style and his effort to make serious musical study more accessible to learners.