Repertoire for Teaching Shifting
The first pieces that I assign students usually have only first and fourth positions. Then, after they have started to learn second and third positions, we add pieces that use those.
The Romberg Sonata in E minor is one of my most-used pieces; I cannot fathom life as a teacher without it.
The Romberg Sonata in E minor is one of my most-used pieces; I cannot fathom life as a teacher without it.
Solo books for Cello
Solo Time for StringsFeel free to re-finger some of these pieces; the fingering choices can be a little odd. They are, however, great supplementary repertoire; I like to assign one every week or two in addition to the student's main piece.
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Pejtsik's Cello Album, Volume Three |
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Beautiful pieces by Nolck |
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Cheney's Fabulous Compilation |
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Feuillard's Album |
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String Festival SolosString Festival Solos, vol. 2, is a great book for using a basic knowledge of the first four positions. Great recital pieces! The piano accompaniment is sold separately.
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Cello part
Piano accompaniment
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The Sonata Track for Student Cellists
Using basic shifting and a variety of music styles, these solos are wonderful teaching pieces. If you can find them, the Little Suite, Andante and Rondo, Sonata in Modo Antico, Suite in G Major, the Sonatina in G Minor, all by Rudolf Matz, are superb early-intermediate teaching pieces. Try Shar Music for piece by Rudolf Matz.
1. Romberg Sonata in e minor
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This is usually the first sonata I use with students. After spending significant time on the first movement, we progress to the third movement, where I use a fingering in the tenor clef section that matches up perfectly with the 7th position notes learned in the C Major Scale Book, which we study at the same time.
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2. Marcello Sonata
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Great little sonata for using a lot of second position. I usually teach only the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th movements; I find the 1st movement a little rhythmically complicated for this level (and a bit grim) but some students may appreciate the beauty.
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3. Corrette Sonata
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Although listed and published somewhat ignominiously, this sonata is wonderful for incorporating second, third, and fourth positions into an exciting piece. The last movement can be used to teach early fifth position (or the A harmonic after fourth position can be used instead).
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4. Romberg Sonata in C Major
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Faced with teaching students one of my most-use and most-loved Sonatas with an unfriendly edition (see below), I made my own edition with exercises that teach every measure: a study book. The complete Sonata is at the end of the book, and a link in the front of the book directs you to a page where you can download a free duet part so you can play along with your students. Also available on Amazon.
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A fabulous piece, this is only marred by the small font that International has insisted on publishing. I do change some of the fingerings and there is a misprinted bowing on the first page, but I can overlook those things. It is a shame that International Music Company is so unaware of what students need visually, especially adult students.
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Other Early-Intermediate Cello Sonatas
Woschitka Sonata |
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Merci Sonata |
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Three Sonatas by Cirri |
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J.C.F. Bach Sonata |
Print version
Download version
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Diabelli Sonatine |
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Boismortier Sonata in G minor |
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Free Sonatas Available Online
Sonata in C major by Breval
Sonata in F major by Galliard
Sonata in A minor by Galliard
Early-Intermediate Cello Concertos and Concertinos
Concertino in F by BrevalJust a really wonderful teaching piece. Best for students with a decent sense of rhythm and musicality, this can be a great recital piece.
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Works by ZocariniCheerful, energetic pieces that have a decent amount of shifting.
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Concertino by KummerAnother fabulous teaching piece.
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Concertino by Baudiot |
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Petit Concert by Vallee |
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Jacchini Cello Concerto |
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Breval Concertino in A majorNot my favorite key for students but a good teaching piece nonetheless.
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Early-Intermediate Pieces for Cello and Piano
Squire Romance |
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Squire Minuet |
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Goltermann La Foi |
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Bunting Dance Caprice |
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Dinn Variations |
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Trowell Humoresque |
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Trowell Chanson villageoise |
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Free Cello Repertoire for Shifting
Tarantelle, by Gillet
Solos by A. Nolck
Solos by G. Goltermann
La Romanesca, by Lee
Trois Nocturnes Faciles, by J. Stransky
6 Duos for cello and piano by F. Weber
Early-Intermediate Pieces for Solo Cello
The Bach Cello Suites: Check out our page on some different Bach editions
Gabrielli Severn Ricercari |
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Telemann Fantasia |
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Szelenyi Petite Suite |
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