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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Top Banana for Cello

by Celia Cobb and Naomi Yandell

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Publisher
Stainer & Bell (H502 cello part; H505 piano accompaniment)
More by Celia CobbMore by Naomi Yandell

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About this piece

Top Banana is a set of 20 original concert pieces with piano accompaniment by the British string teachers Celia Cobb and Naomi Yandell, published by Stainer & Bell (their duet book Cool Beans is already in the catalogue). Seven of the pieces are on Trinity's current cello lists for Grades 1-3, including 'Snoozy Blues', 'Goblin Parade' and 'Kazotsky Kick'. The violin, viola and cello books share keys so mixed groups can play together, and backing tracks are available.

Technical overview

No technical overview is available yet.

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.

Music

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