Cello Levels 1a - 10

CELLO
Level 1A:
Good posture: both left hand position and bow hold
Good intonation
Correct rhythm
Use of first, third and fourth finger
Meters 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4
1 octave D major scale
Suzuki Cello School, Vol. 1:
Twinkle
French Folk Song
Song of the Wind
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
May Song
Allegro
Perpetual Motion*
*Graduation Piece, singles and doubles
Level 1B:
Good posture, good left-hand position and bow hold
Good intonation and correct rhythm
Pizzicato
Bowings: dtach, staccato, legato
Awareness of bow division
Meters: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4
One-octave major scale and tonic arpeggio in G and D, starting on open string.
Two-octave major scale and tonic arpeggio in C.
Suzuki Cello School, Vol. 1 and 2 and Position Pieces for Cello, Book 1 (Rick Mooney):
Rigadoon
Etude*
Minuet in C
Hunters Chorus
Minuet 2
Minuet 1
Position Pieces for Cello (Upper Second Position) 1/week
*Graduation Piece, singles and doubles
Level 2:
Same as Level 1B and:
Good intonation and clear tone
Introduction of second, third and fourth positions
Use of bow division
Bowings: dtach, staccato, legato Meters: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4
Simple dynamic contrasts
One-octave major scale and tonic arpeggio in Bb or Eb (lower octave).
Two-octave major scale and tonic arpeggio in C, D or F (with stretch at top, or one octave and a
sixth).
One-octave melodic minor scale and tonic arpeggio in G starting from the open string.
Suzuki Cello School, Vol 2 and Position Pieces for Cello, Book 1 (Mooney):
Musette
March in G (Bach)
Two Grenadiers
Theme from Witches Dance
Position Pieces for Cello (Extended Second Position and Third Position) 1/week
*Gavotte Gossec
Bouree
*Graduation Piece
Level 3:
Same as Level 2 and:
Increasing skills in second, third and fourth positions
Bowings: dtach, staccato, martel, and legato
Dynamics: crescendo and diminuendo
Beginning of vibrato on longer notes
Ritardando
Two-octave major scale and tonic arpeggio in D, Eb, F, and G, shifting or fixed position.
One-octave major scale and tonic arpeggio in Ab, Db (lower octave) and A.
One-octave melodic minor scale and tonic arpeggio in C, G, or D starting on open string.
Suzuki Cello School, Vol 3 and Position Pieces for Cello Book 1, (Mooney):
Lully Gavotte
Position Pieces for Cello (Lower Second and Fourth Position) 1/week
Minuet in G (Beethoven)
*Webster Scherzo
Humoresque
La Cinquantaine
Allegro Moderato (Bach)
*Graduation Piece
Level 4:
Playing in first four positions with some fifth position
Double-stops, accented strokes, lifts
Tenor clef introduction
Start work on one-octave scales in broken thirds, double-stopped thirds and sixths
Musical expression through phrasing and dynamics
Vibrato used in pieces
Two-octave major scale and tonic arpeggio in Ab, A, or Bb.
Two-octave scale and tonic arpeggio in Db, Eb or E. Play both the melodic and the harmonic
versions of one:
Two-octave minor scale and tonic arpeggio in C, D, or G.
AND:
Two-octave chromatic C scale. Slur two eighths.
AND:
Introduction to Three-octave C major scale

Suzuki Cello School, Vol. 4 and Position Pieces for Cello Book 1, (Mooney):
Marcello Sonata in e minor, mvt 2
Breval Sonata in C major, Op 40, no 1 (mvts 1 and 2)
Marcello Sonata in e minor, mvt 1
*Squire Bouree
Position Pieces for Cello (Upper Third, Extended Third, Half Position and Various
Positions) 2-3/week
*Graduation Piece
Level 5:
Balanced left arm demonstrated through correct arm and hand position
Control of vibrato, and ease of shifting
Left-hand extensions forward and backward
More double-stops
Playing in fifth position and some thumb position
Fluency in tenor clef and beginning use of treble clef
Starting broken thirds in two octaves
Flexibility of bow-hand and good right arm position
Bowings including chords, accented strokes, martel, lifts, spiccato, beginning sautill
Musical expression including rubato, dynamics and vibrato
Developing sense of tonal beauty
Two-octave major scale in E or F#.
Two-octave minor scale (melodic or harmonic versions) in A, B, C, D, or G.
Three-octave major scale in A, E, or G.
Three-octave minor scale (melodic or harmonic versions in C, D, G
Two-octave chromatic scale starting on C. Slur 2, 3, or 4 eighths
Suzuki Cello School, Vol. 4-6, Cheney Solos for Young Cellists, Volume 2 and Position Pieces
for Cello, Book 2 (Rick Mooney):
Position Pieces for Cello Book 2 (Fifth Position Patterns 1, 2 3, and Upper Fifth Position)
Vivaldi Sonata in E minor, Op. 14, No. 5 (mvts 1 and 2)
Squire Danse Rustique
Popper Fond Recollections
*Goltermann Concerto no. 4 in G op. 65, mvt. 4
Jenkinson Elfintanz
*Graduation Piece
Level 6:
Shifts from neck positions to fifth position B, C, C#, and above
Extended playing in thumb position
Developing sautill
Growing skill in double stops and chords with vibrato and clear tone
More complex rhythms
Comfortable familiarity with treble clef

Practice of three octave scales with varied bowings and rhythms
Expression though phrasing, dynamics, and timing
Initial sense of style for varied periods of music
Beauty of tone with power in sustained passages
Two-octave major scale in Ab or C#/Db
Two-octave minor scale (melodic or harmonic) in Eb or E
Three-octave major scale in D, Eb, or F
Three-octave minor scale in A or E (melodic or harmonic)
Two-octave chromatic scale starting on G. Slur four eighths
Suzuki Cello School Books 6 and 7, and Position Pieces for Cello Book 2 (Mooney):
Position Pieces for Cello (Sixth Position Patterns 1-3, Lower Sixth, Seventh Patterns 1-3)
Squire Tarantella Op. 23
Saint Saens The Swan
Vivaldi Concerto in G minor for 2 cellos RV 531, Allegro
Bach Cello Suite No. 1 (Prelude and contrasting mvt)
*Popper Gavotte, Op. 23 No. 2
*Graduation Piece
Level 7:
Accuracy of shifting
Extended fast passages played with evenness and cleanliness
Trills
Fluency in treble clef
Starting work on broken thirds, blocked thirds, blocked sixths, and octaves in two-octave scales
Increasing bowing skills using sautill, staccato, complex string crossings, as well as beginnings
of nuanced dynamics and shaping of glissandos
Growing familiarity with varied styles demanded by diverse periods of music
Tone has power in all registers
Two-octave major scale in B.
Two-octave minor scale (melodic or harmonic) in F.
Three-octave major scale in C#/Db, F#, or G.
Three-octave minor scale (melodic or harmonic versions) in C#/Db or F.
Two-octave chromatic scale starting on D. Slur two, three or four eighths.
Suzuki Cello School, Volumes 7 and 8 and Thumb Position for Cello, Book 1 (Rick Mooney):
*Van Goens Scherzo Op. 12
Thumb Position for Cello Book 1 (Patterns 1-3) 2-3/week
Bach Cello Suite No. 3 (Bourrees and contrasting mvt)
Sammartini Sonata in G (all 3 mvts)
Mendelssohn Song Without Words
*Graduation Piece
Level 8:
Confidence and accuracy of shifting, including double-stops
Use and control of different kinds of shifts and glissandi
Developing varied speeds and widths of vibrato

Increasing conviction and musical maturity in a range of styles
Advancing bowing skills in varied articulations and use of nuance and inflection
Beginning work on broken thirds, octaves, blocked thirds, blocked sixths, and harmonics into the
third octave
Tone showing beauty, projection, and colors
Three-octave major scale in Ab, A or G.
Three-octave minor scales (melodic and harmonic) in F or G#.
Four-octave major scale in C, D, Eb, or F.
Four-octave minor scales (melodic and harmonic) in C or D.
One-octave scale in blocked thirds in C Major, using separate bows
Thumb Position for Cello, Book 1 (Rick Mooney)
Thumb Position for Cello Book 1 (Pattern 4 and Various) 2/week
Bach cello suite no 2 (two contrasting movements)
J.C. Bach-Casadesus (arr. Marchal) Concerto in C minor (all 3 mvts)
Brahms Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38, mvt 1
*Popper Tarantella, op. 33
*Graduation Piece
Level 9:
Extensive thumb position playing in varied registers, including double stops
Clean and even passagework and extended fast passages
Increased fluency and ease of shifting in high positions and in double stops
Artificial harmonics
Continued overall progress in technical skills and tone production
Use of vibrato, tone colors and expressive shifts/glissandi to suit interpretation
Heightened development of a sense of style and instrumental imagination
Three-octave major scale in Bb or B.
Three-octave minor scales (melodic and harmonic) in Ab, A or G.
Four-octave major scale in C#/Db, E, F# or G.
Four-octave minor scales (melodic and harmonic) in C#, Eb, or E.
One-octave scale in blocked sixths in G Major, using separate bows.
Thumb Position for Cello Book 2 Thumbs of Steel
Bach Cello Suite No. 5 (two contrasting mvts)
Thumb Position for Cello (Groups 1-6)
Haydn Concerto in C Major, mvt 1
Boccherini-Grutzmacher Concerto in Bb, mvt 1
Saint-Saens Concerto No. 1 in a minor, op 33, mvt 1
Bloch Meditation Hebraique
*Graduation Piece
Level 10:
Fluent playing over the entire range of the instrument
Beginnings of familiarity with virtuosic bowings such as ricochet and flying staccato
Knowledge of all scales, arpeggios, broken thirds, and blocked sixths in three octaves
Increased awareness of musical forms, styles of different periods, and the relationship of
tonal elements (theory) to interpretation

Students should be encouraged to develop their own interpretation of repertoire, including
choices of bowings and fingerings.
A three-octave major scale with the following bowings: slur eight sixteenths; slur two eighths
followed by two staccato up-bow; or slur one set of triplet eighths followed by three staccato
notes up-bow. Arpeggio: Slur six notes as two sets of eighth-note triplets.
A three-octave minor scale (melodic or harmonic) with the following bowings: slur one set of
triplet eighths; and slur eight sixteenths. Arpeggio: Slur six notes as two sets of eighth-note
triplets.
Four-octave major scale in Ab, A, Bb, or B. Slur four or eight sixteenths.
Four-octave minor scales (melodic and harmonic) in F, F# or G. Slur four or eight sixteenths.
Two-octave scale in blocked octaves in thumb position using separate bows.
Thumb Position for Cello (Groups 7 to end)
Bach Cello Suite No. 4 (two constrasting mvts)
Elgar Concerto op 85, mvt 1
Lalo Concerto in D minor, Finale
*Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, op. 33
Popper Dance of the Elves, op. 39
*Graduation Piece
Recommended Literature after Level 10:

Boccherini Concerti
Dvorak Cello Concerto
Hindemith Cello Concerto 1940
Shostakovich Cello Concerti

Cello Levels 1a - 10

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Cello Levels 1a - 10

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What are the requirements for Level 1A?

What are the requirements for Level 2?

CELLO

Introduction to Three-octave C major scale

Comfortable familiarity with treble clef

Developing varied speeds and widths of vibrato

tonal elements (theory) to interpretation

Recommended Literature after Level 10:

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