Cello Positions: Free Cello Note Charts and Shifting Exercises

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.

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

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

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​A String

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

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​D String

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

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​G String

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

Free Cello Position Exercises
​on the
​C String

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Free Cello Position Exercise
for Muscle Memory

Free Cello Position Exercise
for Muscle Memory

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Free Cello Position Exercise: Cello Positions Across Strings

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4. Study the Position Exercise Books

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.

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.