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Fiddles on the Mountain, Lively Folk Duets for Two Cellos, Book One

by Myanna Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello, Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications
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Cover of Fiddles on the Mountain, Lively Folk Duets for Two Cellos, Book One
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

Cello fiddle duets that celebrate the great outdoors are here! Raise your spirits as your fingers nimbly climb around the fingerboard in Fiddles on the Mountain; an exuberant collection of cello folk duets inspired by nature. From beloved tunes like Waltzing Matilda to traditional bluegrass favorites like Shady Grove, this book of duos for two cellos will take you on a journey through the mountains, roads, and groves that have inspired folk tunes through time. Are you looking for music to perform? Perfect for lessons, gigs, performances, and chamber music parties, this book will bring joy to players and audiences alike. Have you finished Flying Fiddle Dets for Two Cellos, Book Two? This book was written to follow the Flying Fiddle series. These duets use first through fourth position and are set at an intermediate level. Fiddles on the Mountain for Two Violins, Fiddles on the Mountain for Two Violas, and Fiddles on the Mountain for Two Cellos are compatible: the parts in these books can also be played as duets with any combination of violin, viola, and cello.

Technical overview

Lively intermediate folk and fiddle cello duets that celebrate the great outdoors.

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.