Instrument Level Cello - Level 1
READ THIS FIRST: Notes to Composers
General recommendations:
Speed: Slow to Moderate
Length: 16-24 bars
Rhythm: Simple duple and triple meter; mostly quarter- and eighth-note rhythms; no dotted rhythms; no triplets; no 16ths; no syncopation; no hocket or other complex rhythmic devices; no fast lines or repeated notes for more than a few notes; no long periods of rest.
Playable Notes and Skills
- Fingers 1, 3 & 4 on top two strings (whole step, whole step, half step above each open string).
- A string: B, C# D
- D string: E, F#, G
- Finger 2 is possible (for example 1st string C Nat, or 2nd string F Nat) but has not been used extensively in their solo music.
Things to Avoid
- String crosses that skip a string
- Bows over two seconds
- Consecutive notes that must be played legato with the same finger on different strings.
- Double stops