Skip to content

Double Stop Beginnings for the Cello, Book One

by Cassia Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications
More by this composer

Purchase or download

Cover of Double Stop Beginnings for the Cello, Book One
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

Double Stop Beginnings for the Cello, Book One teaches you to play two notes at once and get them in tune. Playing double stops strengthens your fingers, helps you build a good left hand position, and improves your tone. Exercises and short fiddle tunes are used to teach double stop techniques, such as switching fingers across strings. Teachers can use this book as a supplement to other methods and study books.

Technical overview

This beginning cello double stop method book helps you gain stronger fingers and play more in tune.

Technical focus

  • Double Stops

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.