Skip to content
Cello Repertoire Initiative

Knowing the Notes for Cello

by Cassia Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications
More by this composer

Purchase or download

Cover of Knowing the Notes for Cello
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

Knowing the Notes for Cello helps you learn and remember the notes in first position. Using short exercises and pieces, each warm-up focuses on a specific note, reinforcing note-reading & strengthening beginning cello skills. The book ends with a brief introduction to extended first position. This book works well with Beginning Fiddle Duets for Two Cellos. Please note: this book is not compatible with the other instrument books in the series.

Technical overview

This beginning cello note-reading technique book focuses on one note at a time.

Level rubric

Late Beginner

Left Hand

  • Mostly 1st position with small extensions.
  • Early shifting to 2nd/3rd positions.
  • Controlled vibrato on sustained notes.

Right Hand

  • Expanded bow technique for faster passages & wider dynamics.
  • Longer slurs (3–4 notes).
  • Hooked bowing for dotted rhythms.
  • Practice basic martelé accents.
  • Increase speed in string crossings with minimal arm movement.

Bow Strokes

  • Standard détaché; add staccato, martelé, short slurs, hooked strokes.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Incorporate dotted figures, compound meters (6/8), triplets & syncopation.
  • Develop subdivision sense; introduce rubato in small measures.
  • Slightly longer phrases.
  • Introduce basic dynamic shading.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

Music

Recently AddedThe newest additions

About

Our MissionResource CatalogContributeContact Us