he has perfect command of the cello

[alpacinou]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to say someone has a perfect command of a musical instrument. I am looking for an idiom which would convey this.

In my language, we have a saying that literally translates to this:
The cello is a very difficult instrument. The cello is like a wild horse but it is completely tame in his grasp.

First of all, do you think this sentence works in English? If not, is there an idiom which has the same meaning?

 

[englishhobby]

I think, anyone has a right to use metaphors and similies that are popular in their own language when speaking a foreign language. If you explain that it's a metaphor from your culture, it is quite acceptable. As for similar idioms in English, I am not familiar with them (but I am not a native speaker).

In a dictionary, I have found the following phrases:
a virtuoso of the first order
the most dazzling virtuoso we have seen


https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/virtuoso



I am a Non-NEST (Non-Native English Speaking Teacher)

 

[Matthew Wai]

I found "consummate" at https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/consummate1?q=consummate

He is a consummate cellist.

 

[alpacinou]

Do native speakers think this works?

The cello is like a wild horse but it is completely tame in his grasp.

 

[Rover_KE]

It doesn't work for me.:-(

 

[alpacinou]

It doesn't work for me.:-(

How would you express it?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I found "accomplished" at https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/accomplished?q=accomplished

He is an accomplished cellist.

 

[Rover_KE]

How would you express it?

He makes the cello sing.

 

[alpacinou]

He makes the cello sing.

I like that. Is this a common fixed expression? Or a metaphor you came up with?

 

[Rover_KE]

Neither. It's one I've heard many times before.