Here are some things I think every cellist should have:

New Strings!  Please plan to change your strings at least once a year (G and C) and twice a year for A and D.  You’ll be amazed how much better you sound on fresh strings.  Keep one old one of each set in your music bag or case in case you break one.  For smaller cellos, I recommend Helicore.  For full size instruments, Larsen A and D and Spirocore G and C.  Jargars are also good for all strings on full size cellos.

New bow hair!  At least once a year you should rehair your bow.  If you have a smaller cello, it might be just a cheap to buy a new bow.  Also, keep the hair rosined!  Twice a week if the hair is pretty new, more if it’s older.  Older bow hair doesn’t hold rosin as well, and needs more rosin anyway.  You may save yourself a lot of needless aggravation in your lesson and practice if you aren’t working against old, slippery bow hair.

Pencils!  Seriously, keep more than one in your music bag and/or your case and GET IT OUT for lessons and rehearsals.

A Korg TM-40 Digital Tuner and Metronome.  It is less than $40 and gives you many useful practice helpers – metronome with tap input to help you identify the tempo you want, tuner for tuning your instrument, and it will play a drone pitch for you to practice with!

A Xeros Endpin Anchor.  I think straps such as this are much more reliable than the “Donut-type” stoppers, and this one is endlessly adjustable and inexpensive.

A folding music stand.  You will be really glad you have this as soon as you can read music!

A music bag or briefcase.  Make sure it is big enough to hold all the stuff you need, including music folders, which are much bigger than your average briefcase can hold.

A digital recorder.  You can record your practicing, lessons and performances.  The recorder isn’t super cheap (This Zoom H2 is about $150) but if you can afford one, I think you will be really glad you have it.