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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Superseries: Bags of American Folk

by Mary Cohen

Instrumentation
Cello
Composed
2010
Publisher
Faber Music
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About this piece

​"Bags of American Folk" is a collection of American folk songs arranged for unaccompanied cello by Mary Cohen, suitable for late beginner cellists. The compilation includes well-known tunes like "Simple Gifts," "Shenandoah," "The Yellow Rose of Texas," and "On Top of Old Smokey," offering pieces ideal for practice and enjoyment.

Technical overview

Bowed notes, eight notes, slurs, hooked bows. Each piece is very short. Some are more challenging than others. A preview of the score can be seen here: sharmusic.com

Technical focus

  • Sight-Reading
  • A String Notes
  • D String Notes

Level rubric

Beginner

Left Hand

  • 1st position on all strings with fingers 1–4.
  • Understand whole/half steps
  • No shifting; notes stay in 1st position.
  • Focus on accurate finger placement.

Right Hand

  • Consistent détaché for simple melodies.
  • Extend bow (mid‑bow) on a straight path.
  • Introduce short (2–3 note) slurs.
  • Begin basic string crossings; occasional open‑string double stops.

Bow Strokes

  • Détaché and on‑string staccato.
  • Introduce simple legato (short slurs) and bow retakes.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Simple rhythms with basic subdivisions.
  • Short phrases; limited dynamic contrasts; echo dynamics.
  • Develop a singing, accurate tone.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

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