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Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello

by Cassia Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications

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Cover of Learning Three-Octave Arpeggios on the Cello
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

Are you ready to learn three-octave arpeggios on the cello? Do you want a better sense of fingerboard geography? Are you tired of guessing where notes in the higher positions are? This book can help! Using a carefully planned series of exercises, this book teaches the notes and spaces in three-octave major and minor arpeggios on the cello. Studies for three complete sets of fingerings are included, included "shifting across strings," "shifting up the A-string," and "shifting into thumb position." After practicing these exercises, your hand can have a much better grasp of where the notes are in each arpeggio and how to reach those notes consistently and precisely. The book uses bass, tenor, and treble clefs and would be most helpful for advanced cellists. A prior or simultaneous study of three-octave scales is recommended. Learn Three-Octave Arpeggios, Note by Note and Space by Space 1. Instead of just listing the arpeggios for you, this book takes them apart and teaches them, note by note and space by space. 2. By focusing on developing muscle memory, the book can help your hand develop a reliable knowledge of fingerboard geography. 3. While scales teach you the notes in order, they don't cover larger shifts. Arpeggios are one of the best ways to learn bigger distances on the cello. What's in the Book Because this book gives you exercises for three complete sets of traditional fingerings for all of the major and minor arpeggios, the book has something for everyone! As a bonus, the arpeggio workout by Sevick has been adapted for cello and included to cover an even more comprehensive set of arpeggios.

Technical overview

This advanced cello technique book teaches the notes and shifts in three-octave arpeggios.

Level rubric

Advanced

Left Hand

  • Unrestricted fingerboard operation.
  • Effortless high‑register passages with thumb position.
  • Execute large leaps, rapid shifts & fast runs with precise intonation.
  • Render double stops with clarity and even vibrato.
  • Crisp, stylistically appropriate ornamentation (trills, turns, mordents).
  • Instinctive micro‑adjustments in intonation for expressiveness.
  • False harmonics in low positions

Right Hand

  • Complete command of all bow strokes at any tempo/dynamic.
  • Comfortable execution of virtuoso passages (sautillé, intricate ricochet).
  • Tone projection from whisper‑quiet to fortissimo.
  • Integrate advanced bow patterns with expressive phrasing.
  • Demonstrate technical precision with a broad dynamic range.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Interpret large‑scale structures with nuanced pacing and rhythmic freedom.
  • Highly refined phrasing with subtle note grouping & expressive rubato.
  • Convey emotional depth and stylistic authenticity.
  • Incorporate personal interpretive choices while meeting stylistic demands.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.