I was wondering why a person chooses a cello over violin/viola, or a violin/viola over a cello.

I am so torn between all three. I am taking cello lessons, but would so much like to do all three officially. Tried for a little while with alternating cello and violin lessons. Two weeks later I was going beyond first position in cello beyond extending my fourth finger (technically was not leaving first position). I was also starting to do a trill. This required too much time to do both violin and cello officially with lessons, so I had to stop violin, and am back to playing the violin as a break from my cello, or when my back bothers me too much to carry my cello, acoustic or electric, to my chair,

Cello

PROS

I love the soulful sound of a cello, oh to be able to play that way! I also love the wild sound of a happier “jumpy” cello. So versatile. 

I love holding my cello. I love giving her her little hug before I start. I am thinking she does not appreciate my little hug because she does not seem to be cooperating fully with my shifting, or the newly added learning vibrato.

I get a kick out of the reaction of people who know me when I mention I have to “leave” or whatever to practice my cello or go to a cello lesson. It is so funny. Not the reaction when I mention playing violin or viola for some reason. 

It is fun.

CONS

The size. The cello is so large! I cannot see myself hauling it to visit my daughter. It is not a day trip. 

Strings are more expensive than violin or viola for the most part.

VIOLIN and VIOLA

PROS

They both have a lovely sound. The viola shares the soulful cello, but also has that lovely violin. Both can be played reflecting such emotion. Fiddle to sad classical romance pieces.

Portable. They are both smaller than a cello and able to be transported more easily.

Strings, for the most part are less expensive.

CONS

All the accessories. Chinrests and shoulder rests, if they are used. You have to keep buying them to find the best combination. Then you get it set up right and you change your hold, the way you stand, or you body just changes over the years. You have to start all over again.

I tire out quicker with my violin or viola than my cello. Why? My viola and violin, to me is more awkward. Holding it at my shoulder and lifting my arms so high are harder than my lower arm positions on my cello.

So, I guess, I love bowed stringed instruments, I just prefer my cello, but that preference over the violin and viola is ever so slight.

Of all three, my fingering is easier to get right on the viola. It seems to match my natural finger spread more easily. But, my cello still takes the edge.