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Open String Bow Workouts for Cello, Book One

by Cassia Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications
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Cover of Open String Bow Workouts for Cello, Book One
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

One great thing to add to the beginning of your cello practice (at any level of playing!) is a short study on open strings. Open-string studies on the cello can help you focus on your bow and how it interacts with the string. Good bow technique is essential for creating beautiful sound. This book of new and exciting bowing workouts for the cello gives you 97 exercises to train your bow on open strings before you begin the rest of your practice. Since there are no left hand notes, you can focus entirely on improving the dexterity and control of the right (bow) hand. Useful also for students who are struggling with reading notes, this book gives cellists a tremendous resource for creating better tone. The exercises work on bow distribution, rests and retaking bows, slurs, triplets, dotted rhythms, double stops, string crossing and more.

Technical overview

This cello technique book gives you exercises that will refine your bowing skills and cello tone using only open strings.

Level rubric

Intermediate

Left Hand

  • Fluent in positions 1–4 with confident shifts & reliable intonation.
  • Introduce 5th position via scales/études.
  • Learn tenor clef for higher passages.
  • Early exposure to thumb position basics.
  • Refine combined shifting & extensions.
  • Advance double stops (two‑note chords).
  • Refine vibrato for expressive shaping.

Right Hand

  • High control over multiple bow strokes.
  • Advanced spiccato for fast passages; reliable sautillé.
  • Apply martelé at frog and mid‑bow.
  • Execute rapid string crossings with minimal arm movement.
  • Adjust contact point to modulate tone.
  • Introduce complex bow patterns & chord rolling.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Faster tempos & varied meter challenges.
  • Tackle compound meters, intricate ornaments & syncopation.
  • Deepen expressive phrasing; analyze piece structure.
  • Clear dynamic contrasts; introduce slight rubato.
  • Enhance ensemble sensitivity.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.