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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Cello Exam Pieces from 2024, ABRSM Grade 1

by Various

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Composed
2023
Publisher
ABRSM (cello part and piano accompaniment ISBN 9781786015709; cello part only 9781786015655; with audio 9781786015754)
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About this piece

Nine pieces for cello and piano set for ABRSM's Grade 1 cello exam from 2024, three from each list, with notes on each piece. Alongside a Baroque minuet by Jeremiah Clarke, a Renaissance branle and a Bartók children's piece, it includes a swing number from Jennifer Andrews's The Mellow Cello, Christopher Norton's Pitlochry, the Skye Boat Song and Nikki Iles's arrangement of the Zulu song Siyahamba.

Technical overview

First position on the G, D and A strings with all four fingers, simple two-note slurs and some swung quavers. Dynamics include crescendos and diminuendos. Every piece has a piano accompaniment.

Technical focus

  • 2 Note Slurs
  • A String Notes
  • Collaboration with Piano
  • D String Notes
  • Dynamics
  • G String Notes
  • Hairpin Dynamics
  • Rhythm

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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