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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Playing The Cello: Student's Book

by Anna Shuttleworth

Instrumentation
Cello
Composed
2004
Publisher
Novello Publication
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About this piece

A collection of short studies for the very first stages of cello playing, this book guides early beginners through simple etudes and technical exercises. Written in 2004 by Anna Shuttleworth and Hugo Cole for solo cello, it offers a gradual, confidence-building introduction to the instrument.

Technical overview

Previews are available here: sharmusic.com

Technical focus

  • A String Notes
  • D String Notes
  • G String Notes
  • C String Notes
  • Theory
  • Detaché

Level rubric

Early Beginner

Left Hand

  • Basic setup: open strings & 1st-finger in 1st position.
  • No shifting or extensions.
  • No vibrato; harmonics only as open-string effects.

Right Hand

  • Proper bow hold with straight strokes.
  • Basic détaché on open strings.
  • Mid‑bow focus; clean start/stop exercises.
  • Simple adjacent string crossings.

Bow Strokes

  • Détaché.
  • Stopped notes
  • Continuous string contact.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Simple rhythms (quarters, 8ths, repeated patterns).
  • Short pieces in 2/4 or 4/4.
  • Minimal phrasing (1–2 bars).
  • Steady dynamics for clear tone.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

Music

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