
A classically-trained cellist with a twist for your project! My name is Yann and I am a professional cellist from Brittany, France. My 20-year experience in the studio as well as my education in both classical and pop/rock music allow me to listen, adapt and deliver premium tracks for your song!
-Cello: My specialty is obviously cello playing and recording, so don't hesitate to contact me if you need bespoke cello arrangements; if you have a written part for me I will gladly follow it but if you don't, I will work out my own arrangement!
-String ensemble: Should you need a bigger cello ensemble, I can also layer multiple tracks to get a deeper orchestral feel, or an intimate quartet sound.
-String arrangement: Working both as a cellist and a composer gave me the opportunity to develop my skills as an arranger, meaning that I can also write a set of harmonies, tremolos and/or staccatos to be used in your song, so as to accompany and enhance a melody or emphasize a groove for instance. My education as a cellist allows me to write striking melodies and pretty counterpoints, that's what I do best!
-Male singer: I sing in several bands and use my voice as an instrument in different projects (theatre and films), all the while writing my own songs in both languages (English and French). Songwriter at your disposal if you need one!
-Pop-rock arranger: With many musical productions now officially published I have an experience in arranging catchy, pretty tunes in various styles (from Gainsbourg-like ballads to upbeat pop songs). Don't hesitate to check my SoundCloud if you wish to hear more of it and see if that's what you require for your song!
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Credits
Languages
- English
- French
29 Reviews - 5 Repeat Clients
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Nice job from YannCelloSolo
Very professional and talented musician. - check_circleVerified
Excellent recording and communications. Will use again!
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Such a thoughtful and creative artist equipped with the skills to master such an elegant instrument. I highly recommend working with this professional musician.
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Yann gave me the EXACT sound I was looking for and more. He's the real deal and will definitely be working with him in the future.
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Creative and easy going artist. It's been a pleasure.. And I would love to keep working together for the future!
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Formidable ! A true involvement in my project. I recommand.
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Smooth transaction. Yann provided a quality recording within a weeks turnaround time. Will be ordering from them again in the future!
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Yann is fantastic. We asked him to help us with some music for a short film. Not only did arrive to set with his cello as a cello playing body double, but he also gave us some great music that took the short to the next level.
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This was my first time on SoundBetter but definitely not my last.
The contact with Yann went really fast and smooth, and in just a few days he delivered a really nice arrangement that was very well executed and recorded.
I´m very pleased and I´m happy to recommend him! - check_circleVerified
Very talented, quick and easy to work with
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He's the fastest musician I've worked with on SoundBetter. I almost didn't have to give him any instruction. He's so fast he had the song recorded before I sent him the music sheet ;)
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Yann provided me with some layered cello parts for our acoustic guitar-based, singer/songwriter type of song. He did a great job and incorporated passion into the tracks, while capturing a really good cello sound. Overall, a great outcome!
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Yann is a genius and, if you don't choose him, then I think you are dumb.
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Working with Yann was a great experience and he went above and beyond my expectations and was a great communicator in pinning down what I was looking for. Highly, highly recommend.
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Incredible Cellist. So much emotion through his playing. Revised my project multiple times without any fuss. I would love to work with him again.
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I worked a few times now with Yann - he again recorded Cello for a song of mine. Excellent interpretation and a beautiful timbre. Super professional, highly recommended!
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Excellent job.
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Sounds great! Would definitely use Yann again. Thanks so much.
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Another job well done :-)
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A great player and really works hard!
Interview with YannCelloSolo
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My first natural impulse when picking up the cello is to play in a romantic fashion with lots of vibrato and emotion, but sometimes I also end up hitting the strings with the back of my bow or plucking them underneath the bridge... It depends on the song!
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Difficult choice... Let's say a supergroup with Mike Patton on vocals, Radiohead as the backing band and Jaz Coleman working on the arrangements?
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: So far I have worked on genres as diverse as pop-rock, gospel, folk ballads, country, doom metal, experimental jazz and corporate commercials... Each new song is an enriching experience regardless of the genre. The songs I write for myself however are more oriented towards alternative rock with a hint of electro.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Versatility! Or perhaps my training in both classical and modern music which allows me to grasp the spirit of a song quite rapidly.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A cello track can easily emphasize the melancholy and sadness inherent to a song. But the instrument itself is very versatile and I am open to new experiences myself! Should your song require a hint of orchestral-like acoustic staccato, or layered harmonies to thicken the mix and enhance the flat sound of synthesizers, or even a full cello quartet to convey an impression of pump (and circumstance...), I will wield my bow according to the spirit of your production.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It takes me roughly an hour to warm up, then on to the recording I guess... If the song requires it I might use comping as well as it allows for more precision in the arrangement.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: As of yet my studio consists in a Zoom H4 digital recorder, which offers good results for both cello and vocal takes; it is usually linked to my computer (along with external soundcard, Focusrite Saffire Pro) where I process everything using software such as Fruity Loops, SoundForge or Adobe Audition. To this you can add all my instruments: aside from a powerful acoustic cello my house accomodates a Yinfente electric cello, one Dean Hillsboro Bass and an electric guitar made by the French luthiers from Custom 77.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Yo-Yo Ma obviously, as a cellist he went beyond the traditional frontiers conceived by classically trained musicians. But as a composer and a songwriter my influences are as diverse as Ennio Morricone, Mike Patton, Radiohead, Serge Gainsbourg...
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Usually the client sends me one or several songs with suggestions ranging from extensively annotated sheet music to nothing at all - both are absolutely fine by me! I then proceed to lay down a few tracks, send them back and wait for feedback, though most of the time preliminary work is enough to wrap it up by first shot :)

I was the cellist in this production
- CelloContact for pricing
- Singer - MaleAverage price - $100 per song
- String SectionAverage price - $150 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $100 per song
- Pop-Rock ArrangerAverage price - $200 per song
- Full instrumental productionContact for pricing
- Damon Albarn
- Serge Gainsbourg
- Josh Homme
- Acoustic cello
- NS Design 5-string electric cello
- Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 sound interface
- ribbon
- dynamic & condenser microphones
Third song for free!