Cello Sightreading

Teaching Cello - Cello Sight-Reading

I use a lot of music with my students; many are playing between 7 and 11 books/duets/pieces per week. From the very beginning, they play through as much music as possible, reading and learning new music every week. I have them sight-read new solos in the lesson and we work on sight-reading skills, such as reading a little bit ahead, looking through the piece ahead of time to pick a tempo based on accommodating the fasttest notes, not stopping when they play through, etc. In addition, there are some great books to work on these principles. The Cello Sight-Reading Books, published by Schott, are great in that they have lists of italian tempo terms, and practice duets that progress gradually through the levels.

Beginning Cello Sight-Reading

I Can Read Music, Book One

These two books are great for students who have trouble reading notes! I have also used them successfully with dyslexic cello students.

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I Can Read Music, Volume 1 A note reading book for CELLO students. Composed by Joanne Martin. String - (Suzuki) Supplementary; Suzuki. Book. 108 pages. Alfred Music #00-0441. Published by Alfred Music (AP.0441).

I Can Read Music, Book Two

The second volume has duets that focus on both note and rhythm-reading.

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I Can Read Music, Volume 2 A note reading book for CELLO students. Composed by Joanne Martin. String - (Suzuki) Supplementary; Suzuki. Book. 108 pages. Alfred Music #00-0429. Published by Alfred Music (AP.0429).

Playing in Keys for Cello, Book One

I use this book to teach students how key signatures affect which fingers they use. The book includes easy extensions about half way through, as they are used in G and F major.

This book has been quite effective in teaching the lower strings to students that can only read notes on the A and D strings.

Sight-Read It for Strings

I don't find myself using this book very much with students. If they are playing enough music each week, they generally don't have trouble sight-reading as beginners unless they started as transfer students. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile resource to check out, and can be used in string classes as well.

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Sight-Read It for Strings (Cello) (Improving Reading and Sight-Reading Skills in the String Classroom or Studio). Edited by Andrew H. Dabczynski, Richard Meyer, and Bob Phillips. For cello. Method/Instruction; String Orchestra Method/Supplement. Sight-Read It for Strings. Instructional, Method and Sight Reading. Instructional book. Instructional text and bowings. 32 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.25261)

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Intermediate Cello Sight-Reading

At First Sight, Book One

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At First Sight - Book 1: 80 Progressive Pieces for Cello Sight-Reading, Pre-Grade 1-3 Composed by Peter Lawson. String music. Published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. (ST.H372).