I love to travel – I also love my cello – and the two don’t often go well together.

I’m really excited about the Prakticello which has apparently been around for thirty years (I know, where have I been?) and is an entirely acoustic, portable practice instrument that breaks down into a case that would qualify as a carry-on luggage on most airliners. Plus its sturdy enough that if you do have to check it, it’s much less likely to sustain damage that your “real” cello would be subject to in the cargo hold of a plane.

It’s a about the price of a “silent” cello (a little cheaper than the Yamaha I priced out) and doesn’t require a plug in.

Hear an interview with the creator and the Prackicello in action at NPR.

THIS is definitely going on my “gotta have” list