Teaching Cello - Duets for Beginning Cello Students

Nelson's Right from the Start

Super easy duets for students who have just learned a few notes. From duets in open strings to a gradual use of fingers in the later duets, these are fabulous teaching material by the great Sheila Nelson that I've used many many times.
4141837 look inside Right from the Start (for 2 Cellos). Composed by Sheila Nelson. For Cello Duet. Boosey & Hawkes Chamber Music. 10 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M060039324. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48010218).

Applebaum's Classic Duet Book

Good beginning duet book that can work along with String Builder Book One.
1431795 look inside Duets for Strings, Book 1 (Cello). Composed by Samuel Applebaum. Orchestra. For Cello. Duet or Duo; String Orchestra Method/Supplement. Belwin Course for Strings. Book. 16 pages. Published by Belwin Music (AP.EL01992).

Beginning Fiddle Duets

Fun, easy beginning fiddle duets for cello. The top part is entirely in closed first position, while the bottom part is in both closed and extended first position.

Cute Tunes for Cello Duet!

Just a few of these have some slightly challenging techniques. Most of the duets are enjoyable and playable!
4135954 look inside Tunes You Know 1 - Book 1 (Easy Favorites for Cello Duet). Composed by Sheila Nelson. For Cello Duet, Cello. Boosey & Hawkes Chamber Music. 15 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M060085765. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48011247).
Cover tiny file look inside Tunes You Know 2 - Book 2 Easy Favorites for Cello Duet. Composed by Sheila Nelson. Boosey & Hawkes Chamber Music. Educational, Classical. 16 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M060085772. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48011248).

Closed and Extended First Position Duets

This book starts out wonderfully but adds considerable extended first position pretty early on.
956566 look inside Easy Violoncello Duets, Volume 1 - 1st Position Edited by Josef Rentmeister. For 2 cellos. Instructional. Easy cello duet book (no accompaniment). Duet notation. 16 pages. Heinrichshofen Verlag #N4101. Published by Heinrichshofen Verlag (PE.N04101).

More Extended First Position than "Very Easy" Implies

Again, this book contains more extended position than I usually teach at the very beginning. I would call this "22 Pretty Easy Duets".
4302113 look inside 22 Very Easy Duets, Opus 126 Composed by Sebastian Lee (1805-1887). For 2 cellos. Published by International Music Company (IM.2865).

More Duet Books from Applebaum

These two books by Samuel Applebaum contain a wealth of beginning cello duos.
1432772 look inside Chamber Music for Two String Instruments, Book 1 (2 Cellos). Composed by Samuel Applebaum. For 2 Cellos. Duet or Duo; String Orchestra Method/Supplement. Book. 16 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.EL02329).
1432295 look inside Beautiful Music for Two String Instruments, Book 1 (2 Cellos). Composed by Samuel Applebaum. For 2 Cellos. Duet or Duo; String Orchestra Method/Supplement. Book. 32 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.EL02201).

Fix Their Rhythm With These Duets

This is a rhythm-intensive book that works really well! I love the old duos that really push my students to better counting.
4991343 look inside Violoncello Duos for Beginners - Volume 1 Composed by Arpad Pejtsik. Arranged by Arpad Pejtsik. For Cello Duet. EMB. 47 pages. Editio Musica Budapest #Z8158. Published by Editio Musica Budapest (HL.50510927).

Never Run Out of Material Again

Just tons and tons of material here. 
5870713 look inside Easy Duets and Solos - Vol. 1 (Cello). Composed by Erich Doflein. For Cello, Cello Duet. Schott. Playing score. 32 pages. Schott Music #ED6643. Published by Schott Music (HL.49006507).

Cute Duets by Nelson!

Adorable duets that kids usually love. Wish the notes were bigger. 
4141848 look inside Stringsongs (Pupil's Book). Composed by Sheila Nelson. For Cello (Cello). Boosey & Hawkes Chamber Music. 24 pages. Boosey & Hawkes #M060039331. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48010219).

Mature Students Will Appreciate These

Great for older beginners who crave a bit more complexity in their duos (this is definitely not a Samuel Applebaum book!).
5870409 look inside Leichte Stucke, Band 1 (Easy Piece, Vol. 1). Composed by Jean Baptiste Sebastien Breval (1753-1823). For Cello. Schott. Playing score. 16 pages. Schott Music #ED6158. Published by Schott Music (HL.49006051).

Next: Repertoire for Beginning Students