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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Spies on the run

by Kathy Blackwell and David Blackwell

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Composed
2023
Publisher
Self Published
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About this piece

A free piece for cello and piano from Kathy and David Blackwell's website, written at the level of Cello Time Runners. Marked 'With excitement', it is built around the backward extension, in particular the low D flat that players often overlook, over a jazzy, marcato piano part. The PDF contains the score and the cello part.

Technical overview

First position with backward (1st-finger) extensions, especially low D flat; marcato and legato bowing, f and mp contrasts; quarter note = 100.

Technical focus

  • Dynamics

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

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