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Free Cello Etudes in Closed First Position!

5/3/2022

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Celebrating the release of Book 1A in the Cello Etude System!

The Cello Etude System has been carefully structured to help students who learn at different paces. Here is how it works:
  • Book 0: Beginning Studies
  • Book 1A: Closed First Position
  • Book 2A: Extended First Position and Half Position
  • Book 3A: First Position and Fourth Position

Two Learning Paths in Every Book

There is a relaxed path and an accelerated path through every Cello Etude System book. The relaxed path takes you through all of the etudes and the accelerated path (for learners who move more quickly through music) takes you through a carefully selected segment of the book that teaches all essential skills but without as much repetition.

Book 0

Book 0 has beginning cello etudes: open string etudes, studies with just open and first finger, etc., progressing to basic etudes on all four strings in first position. 
Here is Book 0:
And here is the blog post with free beginning etudes (not included in the book!):
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Book 1A: Closed First Position 

Studies on string crossing, embellishments, hooked bowing, dynamics, double stops, chamber music skills (such as entrances,) and more!
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Learn More
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Here Are The Free Cello Etudes (in Closed First Position) ​to Celebrate the Release of Book 1A!

Note: These free etudes are not in the book! 

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude No. 1

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude No. 2

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude No. 3

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude
Free Closed First Position Cello Etude

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude No. 4

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude No. 5

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude No. 6

Free Closed First Position Cello Etude
Free Closed First Position Cello Etude

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Free Cello Etudes in Closed First Position!

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Free Cello, Viola, or Violin Solo Fantasia on Eleanor Plunkett to Celebrate Flying Solo Book Two!

3/11/2022

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Welcoming Baby Lilya!

Wow, it's been quite a few months since the last blog post! Quite a bit has happened and we are so excited to share it with you all. ​
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We have had an addition to our publishing family! Lilya was born to Myanna and her husband this past January. Lilya was in rehearsals and onstage all fall and winter in the womb and not much has changed with her playlist now; she's already listening in on lessons, rehearsals, and editing sessions!  She seems to love music already and especially perks up at hearing her grandmother play the piano.  
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Late-Night Creativity

Myanna is up all through the night with Lilya and has taken this time to finish editing Flying Solo Violin Book Two, Flying Solo Viola Book Two, and Flying Solo Cello Book Two. ​Over the past 2 months, Myanna has gotten quite good at writing with one hand and holding the baby with the other. ​Practicing presents even more challenges (and some funny pictures) but she is managing. We are so grateful to live 5 minutes from each other and 5 minutes from our parents; a triangle of music and art - plus the ability to help each other - that is quite a blessing!

Here are the new releases!

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 And to celebrate, here's an all-new Fantasia that
Myanna wrote on the Irish tune Eleanor Plunkett!

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Fantasia on Eleanor Plunkett for Cello Solo, arr. Myanna Harvey
Fantasia on Eleanor Plunkett for Cello Solo, arr. Myanna Harvey

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Fantasia on Eleanor Plunkett for Violin Solo, arr. Myanna Harvey
Fantasia on Eleanor Plunkett for Violin Solo, arr. Myanna Harvey

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Fantasia on Eleanor Plunkett for Viola Solo, arr. Myanna Harvey
Fantasia on Eleanor Plunkett for Viola Solo, arr. Myanna Harvey

    Want to print these?

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    Eleanor Plunkett for Solo Violin, Viola, or Cello!

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Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

10/3/2021

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Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

I am in love with cello etudes. 

There are very few things in life that make me more excited than finding new cello etudes. I've been searching for etudes since I was in junior high, working on the Werner cello method by myself (my teacher at the time didn't assign etudes or exercises) and found myself puzzled over the rests at the beginning of some of the studies. Was there (gasp) a piano accompaniment? This was before widespread internet access but I searched library catalogs, obsessively looked at the back covers of cello music looking for any mention of a piano part, and asked everyone I came across. Nobody had any idea...
Werner Cello Method
A few years later, we had our first computer (good old dial-up internet access) and I found Ebay. I searched for old cello music late into the night, every night.

​One night, I found a large collection of cello music on Ebay and in it, there was a copy of the Werner Cello Method Piano Accompaniment - all volumes. I was so excited to find out that yes, Werner had written a piano part; the book actually did exist! Now all I had to do was win the auction. 
I put in a low bid and waited while the bids rose that week. I waited until a few hours before the auction closed and then I sat, staring at the page, refreshing it every few seconds.

​Dial-up internet was slow and unreliable and I was shaking as I waited for the minutes to tick by. One minute before the auction ended, I started bidding again. I bid higher (hands shaking,) bid higher, oh no - I'm outbid, bid higher, move faster Cassia! And then it was over. I couldn't believe it but I had won. The Werner was going to be mine!
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There have been numerous moments of great etude-finding joy since: The store in Italy that actually answered my email about a huge number of rare etude books they'd gotten from an old estate and sent the package with Zacchini, Moja, and so much more. The library in Switzerland that didn't answer the first five emails I sent but answered the sixth; with the file of the Nolck book I was looking for actually attached! The used book stores and internet sites and WorldCat continue to have treasures and yes, there's still Ebay. 
Lee Cello Method
But through it all, the greatest joy has been playing and teaching with these amazing etudes. I knew there had to be a way to make them available in a practical way. It has taken a long time but we finally have a practical, graded system of rare and classic cello etudes that works for my students.  
Becker Op. 13
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There will be a number of volumes in The Cello Etude System:
Part 0: Beginning Level
Parts 1A and 1B: First Position, Closed
Parts 2A and 2B: First Position, Extended, and Half Position
Part 3A: First and Fourth Position
and many more!

The First Volume of Cello Etudes is Released!

This is the solo book. The student etude part is written on its own, without accompaniment. This can help with note-reading and making it easier to find and work on skills. 
LEARN MORE
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Etudes are the bridge between technical exercises and repertoire. The best etudes teach one or more specific cello skills, often combined with opportunities to develop musicality. 
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Etudes are an essential part of any cello curriculum and now, finally, there is a book that gives beginning cellists a system of etudes they can play from the very start of their cello journey!
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Duet accompaniments provide another layer of teaching. With the duet accompaniments in this book, there is a focus on rhythm that will prepare the student for later chamber and orchestral music-making!
LEARN MORE
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There were too many beginning etudes to fit in The Cello Etude System, Part 0 so we decided to offer some of the extra beginning cello etudes for free in this blog!
Happy Etude Playing!

-Cassia 
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Free Beginning Cello Etude No. 1

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

Free Beginning Cello Etude No. 2

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

Free Beginning Cello Etude No. 3

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

No. 3, cont.

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

Free Beginning Cello Etude No. 4

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

Free Beginning Cello Etude No. 5

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

Free Beginning Cello Etude No. 6

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

Free Beginning Cello Etude No. 7

Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

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    Free Beginning Cello Etudes!

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Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

1/12/2021

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About a month after I wrote Open String Bow Workouts, Book One, back at the end of 2019, I got the first email asking for Book Two. As more and more people started asking for Book Two, I realized that I'd like a Book Two as well and I started mapping out what a second volume would look like.

​It's taken a little bit longer than I'd planned (apologies to everyone who got a January 2020 estimated release date!) but Open String Workouts for the Cello, Book Two is finally here!  
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To celebrate, here is a second volume of free Mini Open String Bowing Workouts for Cello! The mini cello bowing workouts below are all-new and aren't included in the book. 

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 1

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 2

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Because Open String Bow Workouts for Cello, Book Two focuses on articulation and bow control, these free studies work on some of the same skills that the book does: staccato, dynamics, double stop staccato, and spiccato. 

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 3

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 4

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Double stop staccato is a great way to get the strings ringing right away - which leads to better tone overall!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 5

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 6

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 7

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 8

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

And finally, here are a couple of open string cello exercises on spiccato: 

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 9

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 10

Better Bowing Articulation: Free Mini Open-String Workouts for Cello, Book Two!

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Did you miss the blog post with mini free exercises to celebrate Book One? 
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Forked Deer: Free Mini Fiddle Tune Booklet for Violin, Viola, Cello, and String Bass!

10/4/2020

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All of the music was ready. The snacks, the chairs, the stands; we were ready for anything. Myanna and I had spent hours arranging music, making chamber groups out of names (level often unknown), answering emails, cleaning, and so much more. Summer string camp was about to begin!
Harvey String Teaching Summer Chamber Camp
The doorbell rang and the first student came in, always looking a little uncertain. It's hard to be first! But then the deluge would happen and soon our front porch would be covered with violin, viola, cello, and bass cases and no matter how prepared we had planned to be, chaos would reign for that entire first session. ​
Harvey String Teaching Summer Chamber Camp
We have always had students at a range of ages and levels sign up for Summer Chamber Camp, from first year players to high schoolers in advanced string quartets. But by far, the most challenging issue has been finding music for our "Blackberry Blossom" groups: first and second year students in larger groups who want to play with their friends (even if levels aren't compatible) and have fun playing!
The level range inside of these groups has been astonishing. Some students only know a few notes while others can play fluently in first position (but aren't quite ready for the early-intermediate trios and quartets at the next level.)
Problem-solving is pretty much our favorite thing. So Myanna wrote some easy, flexible tune arrangements for these groups. 
First, there's a Regular Exercise and a Basic Exercise that can both be played together at the same time (and with all the instruments.)
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Then, for each tune, there's an Advanced Melody, a Stress-Free Melody, a Basic Harmony, and a Teacher Harmony (plus, a piano accompaniment and full score, available separately.)
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Here's a concert photo of one of our Summer Fiddle groups playing a tune from the Blackberry Blossom Fiddle Books!

Harvey String Teaching Summer Chamber Camp
We weren't able to have a summer camp this year due to Covid. But now, we're using these books both with in-person and remote string classes and lessons. And we're excited about how flexible the books are, both with level and instrumentation. 

And now for the free booklets!

To give you an idea of how the books work, Myanna and I have put together a free set of exercises and tune arrangement of Forked Deer in exactly the same format as the Blackberry Blossom Fiddle Books. 

This is an all-new tune that isn't in the books! Feel free to copy and hand out to students or fellow musicians. 
Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for Violin
Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for Viola
Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for Cello
Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for String Bass
Forked Deer: A Free Fiddle Tune Booklet for String Class

Here are Free Play-Along Tracks for Forked Deer:

C. Harvey Publications · Forked Deer First Exercise
C. Harvey Publications · Forked Deer Second Exercise
C. Harvey Publications · Forked Deer Tune

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Free Sousa Duet for Strings to Celebrate the Release of Fiddles on the Bandstand, Book One!

7/2/2020

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Free Liberty Bell March for Violins, Violas, Cellos but Sousa
 So we're a little over halfway through 2020 and it's been quite a year! We hope that all of you are healthy and safe and able to still make music.

About a month ago, just as the weather was turning warmer, Myanna realized we all could all use some light-hearted, earnest, outdoor-belonging, inspiring, beautiful, rhythmic, toe-tapping, nostalgic, FUN music! ​​
As usual, Myanna told me nothing about what she was writing, but as I walked out of the studio to my car one day, I passed Myanna and our mother playing some Sousa on two violins and I just had to stop and listen.

​They kept playing through the book and somehow I couldn't leave. And that's how the Fiddles on the Bandstand books were born!

Fiddles on the Bandstand Duets: Fully Compatible Between Instruments

Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Two Violins
Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Two Violas
Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Two Cellos

Here's What's In the Books:

Fiddles on the Bandstand: Fun Duets for Strings
These are the tunes people hum, the tunes we remember from "somewhere", the tunes we might even want to share with our neighbors in an impromptu outdoor concert!

​Some years ago, Myanna and I ran a youth orchestra and when they were asked to play outside after a parade, we quickly realized that there is an entire genre of lighthearted music that is perfect for that situation. Some of the tunes that inspired us back then have made an appearance in this book. 

In the past week, as the books have arrived from the printer, I have started to play the duets in outdoor lessons with my students. And I can say that there's nothing quite like the beauty of these cello duets gently floating out in the breeze. 

To Celebrate the New Books,
Here's a Brand New Arrangement of
​Sousa's Liberty Bell March!

John Philip Sousa
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Did you know that Sousa began his career playing violin?
Sample Pages from the Free March:
(Full March Available Through the Contact Form Below.)
Free Liberty Bell March for Violins, Violas, Cellos but Sousa
  • The violin duet is mainly in first position with a small amount of third position. 
  • The viola duet is in first and third positions. 
  • The cello part is in first through fourth positions and is all in bass clef.
  • The duets are compatible between instruments.

    Sign Up Here to Receive Your Free PDFs of the
    ​Sousa Liberty Bell duet!

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Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios - Free Preparatory Studies!

11/1/2019

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Figuring Out How to Teach Cello Arpeggios

As long as I have been studying or teaching cello, learning arpeggios consisted of seeing an arpeggio and trying to play it. This was fine; even workable, but as I came to discover, not the best way to learn or teach cello arpeggios that would be consistently in tune.
Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies
Some students struggled mightily with the larger spaces. Other students didn't understand the concepts behind the fingerings. All in all, even the most talented and advanced students only played a perfect arpeggio about 1/3 of the time, which wasn't great for auditions!
I became acutely aware of the lack of an actual cello method for teaching arpeggios when Theresa Villani (a wonderful cellist and teacher) reached out to ask if I had one. Since I had no idea where to start, I did quite a bit of brain-storming... and wrote a scale method instead!
Learning Three-Octave Scales on the Cello
After Learning Three-Octave Scales on the Cello was published at the end of August 2019, I still didn't quite know which arpeggio fingerings to pick for the book but at least I had a blueprint for how to teach notes and spaces.
I finally settled on three distinct fingerings for Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello. The first fingering, used in the Galamian Scale System for Cello (among other books) is a little like a staircase; you go up the C string, then over to the G, then up the G, then over to the D, then up the D, then over to the A. 
​
Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello
The second fingering is very straightforward: you go across to the A string and shift up the A string.
Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello
The third fingering, used in Klengel Technical Studies for Cello, Volume One, shifts up to the thumb on the D string and then has you play the top octave of the arpeggio in thumb position. ​
Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello
Each of these three fingerings has something to teach cellists. A study of all three fingerings will give you a comprehensive knowledge of fingerboard geography and larger shifts on the cello. 
Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello

Free Cello Arpeggio Preparatory Studies!

To celebrate the release of this new book, we are offering free preparatory studies for Three Octave Arpeggios on the Cello. Click on each picture to see the image enlarged. If you would like the file as a free PDF, fill out the form below and your download will be on the next page.

Cello Arpeggios
Shifting Study

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies

Cello Arpeggios
Fifth Position Study

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies

Cello Arpeggios
Spacing Across Strings

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory StudiesPicture

Fingering No. 1
Putting the Arpeggio Together

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies

Cello Arpeggios
Note Spaces
​for Fingering No. 2

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies

Cello Arpeggios
Playing Across Strings
​for Fingering No. 2

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies

Cello Arpeggios
Putting the Notes Together for Fingering No. 2

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies

Cello Arpeggios
Shifting to the Thumb for Fingering No. 3

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies

Cello Arpeggios
Learning More Thumb Position Notes for Fingering No. 3

Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello: Preparatory Studies
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Learn Cello Scale Spaces - Free Sheet Music!

9/2/2019

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One of the best ways to map the fingerboard for your mind and fingers is by learning scales. Three-octave scales, in particular, can be used to teach nearly all of the notes on the cello.
Learn Cello Scale Spaces - Free Sheet Music!
As I watched over the years while some of my students struggled with knowing how far to shift in three-octave scales, I knew that there had to be a solution. 

Surprisingly, the answer came while I was writing a scale book for the violin! 

Because violinists typically play with four fingers in each position (1-2-3-4), instead of three (1-2-4 or 1-3-4), I was able to write exercises that used notes they already knew to teach notes in the next position. 
When I saw how well the exercises worked, I just knew that I had to find a way to use that same concept to teach cello scales.

​I started writing studies for a three-octave G major cello scale and tried them with several students who had never played a three-octave scale before.
I wasn't surprised when they figured out the exercises; it was a pretty easy concept. But I was absolutely shocked when, at the end of playing the 4 pages of G scale exercises, those same students were able to play the scale straight through, without stopping, and in tune!
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New Release!
Before this, I had wheedled and cajoled and talked my students through their initial 3-octave scales. And, after they finally learned the scales, some of them played scales in tune but some just didn't.

​This book was a game-changer for me and my students, cutting out months and years of frustration, and helping them master entire three-octave scales in all of the major and minor keys.
Cello whole step
Cello whole step
Cello half step
If we take time to think about the steps in scales and teach them to our fingers, it is possible to truly learn scales, play more in tune, and play in tune more consistently.
Cello D Major Scale
To celebrate the release of Learning Three-Octave Scales on the Cello, this post gives you the major scales written out with all of the whole and half steps so you can think about and remember each space. 

And if this whets your appetite for scale mastery, check out the new cello scale book!

​​Tips for Playing Cello Three-Octave Scale Steps

  • Play these exercises slowly. 
  • Think about each space as you play it.
  • As your mind sees the words "half step" or "whole step", try to remember how that space feels in your fingers.
  • Roman numerals refer to strings, not positions.
       I = A string
       II = D string
       III = G string
​       IV = C string
  • If you have trouble playing scales in tune, or just want to improve your scale intonation, study the scale exercises in Learning Three-Octave Scales on the Cello.

C Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

D-flat Major
Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

D Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

E-flat Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

E Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

F Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

F-sharp Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

G Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

A-flat Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

A Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

B-flat Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

B Major
​Cello Scale Spaces

Three-Octave Cello Scale Spaces

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Cello Positions: Free Cello Note Charts and Shifting Exercises

2/28/2019

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Starting to play in positions on the cello can be daunting!

However, after you have played in first position for awhile, the other notes on the cello are begging to be learned! So many great cello repertoire pieces use positions and learning shifting can help you reach more notes, make playing across strings easier, and even avoid open strings if you want to. 

1. Learn Cello Fourth Position 

This method was written for adult learners and includes pictures and diagrams that help explain where fourth position is. Exercises and short pieces on each page work together to teach a skill. This book is available as a PDF ebook on www.learnstrings.com and as a print book on www.amazon.com.
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2. Learn Cello Positions in Depth

A great way to learn cello positions is by studying each position. Here are a few position method books: 

Are your shifting books too hard?

​Try the Preparatory Study Books

​
(great for fearful shifters)​

These books have very easy studies that can make shifting an easier, more gradual process. Each study focuses on a single shift and the exercises progress slowly to allow you to get comfortable with shifting. 

3. Free Preparatory Exercises for Pattern Shifting and Serial Shifting for the Cello

Half and Whole Steps

Free Cello Note Chart: Half and Whole Steps

Free Note Chart:
​Cello Positions
​on the A String

Free Note Chart: ​Cello Positions ​on the A String

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​A String

Free Cello Position Exercises ​on the ​A String

Free Note Chart: 
​Cello Positions
​on the D String

Free Note Chart:  ​Cello Positions ​on the D String

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​D String

Free Cello Position Exercises ​on the ​D String

Free Note Chart: 
​Cello Positions
​on the G String

Free Note Chart:  ​Cello Positions ​on the G String

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​G String

Free Cello Position Exercises ​on the ​A String

Free Note Chart: 
​Cello Positions
​on the C String

Free Note Chart:  ​Cello Positions ​on the C String

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​C String

Free Cello Position Exercises ​on the ​C String

Free Cello Position Exercise
for Muscle Memory

Free Cello Position Exercise for Muscle Memory

Free Cello Position Exercise
for Muscle Memory

Free Cello Position Exercise for Muscle Memory

Free Cello Position Exercise: Cello Positions Across Strings

Free Cello Position Exercise: Cello Positions Across Strings


4. Study the Position Exercise Books

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Ever-so-slightly easier than Serial Shifting, Pattern Shifting for Cello has exercises in rows and patterns. The exercises progress more slowly than those in Serial Shifting and this book could be studied along with other position methods. 

The first half of the book has studies in 1st through 4th positions while the second half of the book has studies in 1st through 8th positions.

All of the exercises are in C major to allow you to fully learn the basic cello positions and spacing.  

Pattern Shifting for the Cello is available as a PDF ebook on www.learnstrings.com.
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A little bit more difficult than Pattern Shifting, Serial Shifting for the Cello has similar exercises in rows and patterns. The exercises progress more quickly than those in Pattern Shifting and having a prior knowledge of positions is advised.

The first half of the book has studies in 1st through 4th positions while the second half of the book has studies in 1st through 8th positions.

All of the exercises are in C major to allow you to fully learn the basic cello positions and spacing.  

Serial Shifting for the Cello is available as a print book here on www.charveypublications.com and on Amazon.com and Sheet Music Plus.

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Prepare to play the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto in A minor!

2/20/2019

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Preparing for Saint-Saens

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The Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor is a work for cello and orchestra (or piano), written at an advanced level. Studying this Concerto often takes a year or more; it's a major work!
While there are no clearly marked or numbered movements, the Concerto does have three fairly distinct sections that might correlate with our idea of typical concerto movements. 
Some techniques used in the first two movements are octave shifts, fast shifting (sometimes called "runs") into the high positions, double stop fifths and sixths, spiccato, and thumb position. 

Free Saint-Saens Preparatory Exercises

These free preparatory exercises can help you get ready to start studying the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto. They work on some of the basic techniques needed to play the first few pages of the Concerto: bowing, octave shifts, chromatic scales, and more. 

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Bowing I

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Bowing II

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Scale Shifting Exercise

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Rhythm & Staccato

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study
Note: These free e​xercises are not a substitute for a full study of the Concerto like the one in The Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 Study Book. Instead, they help prepare you for the study book and show exercises can make learning more efficient. 
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Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Rhythm I

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Rhythm II

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Octave Shifts I

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Octave Shifts II

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Chromatic Scale

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Free Preparatory Cello Exercise: Shifting and Bowing Study

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Preparatory Study

Books to study in preparation

The Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto is much easier to learn if you have acquired a solid grasp intermediate and advanced cello technique. You should be able to read bass,  tenor, and treble clef and play in thumb position. You should have learned three-octave scales and it would be helpful if you have also studied octave shifts, double stop sixths, and double stop octaves. 
Tenor Clef for the Cello
Octave Shifts for the Cello, Book One
Three-Octave Scales for the Cello, Book One: The Basics
Sixths for the Cello, Book One
Thumb Position School for Cello
Octaves for the Cello, Book One

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Like these exercises? Now, you can learn the rest of the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto using a Study Book!

We are very excited to present this new release:
The Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 Study Book for Cello, Volume One!
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Live outside the US? All of our books are on Amazon around the world and many of our books are available as PDF downloads on Learnstrings: 
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    Authors

    Cassia Harvey can't ever find or play enough exercises. She searches for rare and out-of-print studies and etudes in her free time. If you know of any, please let her know. Seriously; it's an obsession.

    Myanna Harvey's teacher assigned her piles of exercises when she was growing up but whenever her mother stopped listening, Myanna would quickly break away from the Sevcik to play a bit of Brahms or Beethoven she had heard on the radio. Now she practices with exercises and assigns them to students but her greatest passion is playing chamber music. 

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