Beginner books

I have a few new posts I've been working on, loaded with information and resources -  they're going to take a while for me to get together, in the meantime, here's a short little post featuring some beginner resources which I find useful, hope you do too (please note, these are affiliate links). 

For younger beginners, I nearly always start with Early Start on the Cello by Egon and Kurt Sassmannshaus. The format of this book is very welcoming for young musicians, with very big print, and illustrations throughout. I find it has a great balance between a focus on reading, and aural development - many of the pieces are songs which children will already know. And there are plenty of open string pieces/exercises - a must in my book! 

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Early Start on the Cello, Volume 1 A cello method for children age four and older. Composed by Egon Sassmannshaus; Kurt Sassmannshaus. Stapled. Barenreiter's Sassmannshaus. Instructional method. Performance score. 64 pages. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag (BA.BA8996).

A wonderful method for teaching younger beginners, which I am intending to study (when my little ones are older!) is the Colourstrings method - you can find out more about the method in Australia here. There are two resources below which relate to this method. 

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Violin ABC - Handbook for Teachers and Parents Composed by Geza Szilvay. This edition: English edition. Handbook. Published by Fennica Gehrman (FG.55009-595-3).

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Colourstrings Cello ABC, Book A Composed by Csaba Szilvay. Tutor. Published by Fennica Gehrman (FG.55009-477-2).

For older students, I normally begin with Feuillard's method. This book has dense text, with plenty of reading and technical exercises - I don't sound like I am selling it here, but I really do like this book! it moves quickly onto shifting and more advanced technical concepts. While there are little pieces, in duet format, at the end of each lesson in the book, I do find the need to supplement this book with plenty of outside sheet music (one such example is below - Melodies by Old Masters - technically not for beginners, but can be studied by older students after a few successful months with the Feuillard). 

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Methode Du Jeune Violoncelliste Composed by Louis R. Feuillard. Method / Etudes. Score. 65 pages pages. Published by Edition Delrieu (LM.J3102).

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Melodies by Old Masters - Volume 1 For Young Cellists. Composed by Various. Arranged by Alfred Moffat and Eugen Rapp. Schott. Schott Music #ED2384. Published by Schott Music (HL.49003727).

That's all for now, will be back next week with more!