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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Technitunes for Cello

by Sheila Nelson

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes (BH 1200162, ISMN 9790060039638)
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About this piece

Technitunes is a book of short original pieces by the British string teacher Sheila Nelson (1936-2020) that each focus on a technique. Boosey describes the series as introducing 'quite advanced aspects of technique, such as high positions, harmonics, rapid bowings and double stops at an early stage'. The pieces can be played with piano or as duets and string ensembles. 'Toad in the Hole' and 'Reel' are on the current ABRSM (Grade 3) and Trinity (Grade 2) cello lists.

Technical overview

No technical overview is available yet.

Level rubric

Early Intermediate

Left Hand

  • Regular shifting among 1st–4th positions.
  • Frequent shifts with target notes & prepared approaches.
  • Introduce ornamentation (grace notes, slow trills, turns).
  • Begin basic double stops (often with one open note).
  • Combine extensions with shifting.
  • Consistent vibrato on sustained notes with speed variations.

Right Hand

  • Bow arm gains finesse and speed.
  • Introduce controlled spiccato.
  • Sautillé appears in rapid passages.
  • Expand legato into longer, sustained lines.
  • Practice advanced articulations (martelé, refined string crossings).
  • Add complex strokes for double stops/chords.

Bow Strokes

  • Use context‑appropriate strokes: legato, spiccato, martelé.
  • Subtle bow changes during string crossings.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Increased challenges: sixteenths, dotted rhythms, syncopation, contrasting subdivisions.
  • Emphasize expression with crescendos/decrescendos & vibrato.
  • Balance technical precision with emotional delivery.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

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