Teaching Cello -
​Methods and Exercises for Late-Intermediate Cello Students

Finger Exercises for Basic Training

At this level, I still recommend that students start the lesson with a finger exercise. Finger exercises that use the positions are especially valuable. 

First through fourth position

First through seventh position

First through eighth position and then easy thumb position

Cello Shifting Technique

Once students have learned to shift, it is particularly important that they continue to practice shifting every day. Assigning daily shifting exercises can help your student with sight-reading and intonation, with overall knowledge of the fingerboard and, of course, help them with their repertoire and pieces.

Shifting up through eighth position

Exercises 26-50 in this book go up through eighth position, in rows and patterns.

Shifting to 4th and 5th Positions

A variety of shifting studies that help build fluency in the positions.

Shifting up through eighth position

Exercises 41-80 in this book go up through eighth position, in rows and patterns. Downloadable PDF ebook.

Shifting to 6th and 7th Positions

An all new variety of shifting studies that help build fluency in the positions.

Shifting up through fourth position

Although this book only goes up to fourth position, it is still appropriate for a late-intermediate level student.

The First Foray Into Big Shifts

Shifts of eight notes, B to B, C to C, etc. Great to prepare for major concertos.

Cello Scale Technique

In addition to shifting, it is essential that late-intermediate cellists practice scales every day. Scales help teach students how to read and implement a key signature, help them learn all of the notes on the cello, and can also be used for bowing and rhythm practice.

Never be bored on scales!

Major and minor scales, broken thirds, and arpeggios in two octaves, with variations.

Teach the Three-Octave Scales Note by Note, Shift by Shift!

This book seems to be the first of its kind: a book that actually teaches you how to play a scale (not just a list of scales and bowings). My scale teaching has never been the same! This book is responsible for teaching scales to students who were playing well below advanced level and for fixing the scale intonation and precision of some of my advanced students. The results were astounding and I can't imagine teaching scales without this book, ever again.

Two Books of Variations on Easy Scales

This is a good introduction to three-octave scales. I use the C Major Scale book as an easy introduction to 7th position soon after my students have started fourth position. 
Written to follow the C Major Scale book, this book is a good introduction to the scale patterns in the Squire Tarantella (d minor but the shifting is the same),

Cello Double Stop Technique

Shifting in Double Stops

This book teaches shifting in double stops through the first four positions in a series of very carefully graded exercises.

Intensive Shifting

These intensive double stop shifting exercises are sure to strengthen your students' fingers. Not for the faint of heart!

Exercises and pieces in sixths

Teaching one double stop sixth at a time, this book uses exercises and short pieces to build stronger fingers and improve intonation.

Beautiful Double Stop Method!

I love the exercises and composed pieces in this beautiful volume! Focusing on a single position at a time, this is a wonderful book that I play through myself from time to time.
5405510 look inside Fun With Double Stops 2 Vc Composed by Basler-Novsak, S/Stein, S,. Cello. Boosey & Hawkes Chamber Music. 35 pages. Simrock #M221115942. Published by Simrock (HL.48018626).

Bowing

Sevcik's Classic Bowing Books

Sevcik's bowing variations are amazingly exhaustive and comprehensive. The six books in the Opus 2 series cover every bowing I can imagine. The only difficulty I sometimes encounter in teaching these is explaining the concept of applying a variation to a theme so that younger students can play the variations. For that reason, I usually use these books with junior high, high school- aged and adult students.  ​
16636979 look inside Sevcik for Cello - Opus 2, Part 3 (School of Bowing Technique). For Cello. Music Sales America. 16 pages. Bosworth & Co. #BOE003546. Published by Bosworth & Co. (HL.14029804).
16636960 look inside Sevcik for Cello - Opus 2, Part 2 (School of Bowing Technique). For Cello. Music Sales America. 22 pages. Bosworth & Co. #BOE003545. Published by Bosworth & Co. (HL.14029801).

String Crossing

Exercises and short excerpts that work on balancing across two strings.

General Technique

Little technical studies by Feuillard

These etudes are more technical than melodic but they are pure teaching genius. Great for students in middle school and above.
19471064 look inside Etudes Du Jeune Violoncelliste (60) Composed by Louis R. Feuillard. For cello. Classical. Score. 31 pages. Published by Edition Delrieu (LM.DF315).

Genius method by Francesconi

Wonderful method for intermediate skills. Gino Francesconi wrote this book, even though his name isn't in the listing. I love the Italian focus on agility in their technique! Search for this book in Europe for a better price.
Cover tiny file look inside Scuola Pratica Del Violoncello Antologia Didattica Vol 2 Suvini Zerboni. Published by Hal Leonard Special Import (HS.50596587).

Tenor Clef

This is a method for teaching tenor clef on the cello. The first half of the book is in first to fourth positions while the second half focuses on learning and using tenor clef in the higher positions. For teaching tenor clef in thumb position, I use Thumb Position School for Cello.

Tenor Clef Repertoire

La Cinquantaine: Cello part

La Cinquataine: Piano part

Guerini Allegrio Con Brio: Cello part

Guerini Allegrio Con Brio: Piano part

Next: Etudes for Late-Intermediate Cello Students