Five Pieces in First Position

Five Pieces in First Position
Designed as an alternative/supplement to the renowned Suzuki method.

• I. Elephant Dance: Open-string double stops—in combination with broad, weighted bow strokes—create a piece suitable for beginning cellists. Rhythmic differentiation between quarter notes and eighth notes is recurrently established. ASTA Level: 1
• II. Misty Night: Utilizes a soft, light bow stroke to produce an ethereal tone. ASTA Level: 2-3
• III. The Baritone Bumble Bee: Students learn to adjust volume through technical adaptation. Intermediate technical elements include trills, tremolo, and pizzicato.  ASTA Level: 2-3
• IV. Merry Little Waltz: Both whimsical and rhythmic in its waltz pulse, this piece encourages young cellists to project a triple-time rhythm through selective emphasis and body language. ASTA Level: 2
• V. Follow the Leader: Employment of the C melodic minor scale renders this piece an age-appropriate introduction to minor keys. ASTA Level: 2-3

– Ariel Witbeck