Viola clef=alto
Cello clef=tenor
(with few exceptions)

I know that I can play violin music on the cello, but I guess I can`t play viola music on the cello. The only difference of playing violin music on the cello is that you never get to use the C string.

When you look at cello music the IB sign is raised, so it starts on the second space of the staff...this is the tenor clef. In viola music, the IB sign starts on the first space...this is the alto clef. I`ve never seen cello music written in the alto clef before...but that doesn`t mean that it doesn`t exist.

I find the hardest pieces are the Barber, Bartok, Prokovieff, and Shostakovich 2 concertos even though they aren`t as well known. When you listen to them you`ll notice they are contemporary and so don`t have the pleasant sound that you get from the easier Bach Suites. Personally, though I like the sounds of the Dvorak and the Elgar concertos which are also difficult.

I find the slow songs the hardest - stuff like Le Cygne (the Swan) by C.Saint Saens. Especially when it`s high (treble clef) and slow, so you have to be really controlled. Control is so hard when you`re running out of bow!

Personally i can`t see where you guys are coming from with pieces like Haydn C and Bach #6, if you`re really looking for a chalenge, try Debussy cello sonata or Haydn D. I mean, Haydn C is even in the suzuki books!!

hey sorry, this might be off topic, but i really need a reply:
I borrowed a cello from a friend. she bought it a year ago and hasn`t played it since. I took it for repairs and they claimed that it was a pretty good cello. However, the a string is hard to play on. it plays fine open but the b is hard to play, like it squeaks and the note is barely audible. also, the c,d, and e are playable. i`m wondering if there is some type of bowing technique that i dont know, or if its the string thats the problem. thanks

Strings do go bad you know. You should just try to buy a new "A" string and have your old one for a spare. If it`s not the strings or your playing, then it`s the Cello. New Cellos always sound bad, especially machine-made ones. Anyways, put plenty of rosin on the bow, press against the strings hard, but not too hard.

I know what I`m talking about.
Concertos: Prokofiev Sinfonia concertante, Shostakovich concerto #2, Schoenger concerto, britten cello symphony, Penderecki #2, of course Dvorak, Barber...

Sonatas: Prokofiev, Beethoven in A, Brahms in F, Franck, Schubert "Arpeggionne", Carter, Stravisky "Suite Italienne",...

Unnaccompanied works:
Bach 6th suite, Kodaly sonata, Cassado suite, Britten suites, Penderecki "Capriccio per Siegrfried Palm"....

I`ve played several songs in alto clef, in fact the only instruments that do play in alto typically are cello or trombone.

The Dvorak Cello Concerto is a challenging piece to play.

I have a Vivaldi Cello Concerti CD;

Concerto #`s: #1 rv401, #4 rv422, #7 rv406, #8 rv398, #9 rv424, #11 rv412 and #12 rv413

I actually like all of them, some sound real easy to play but the rest of them are lively and fast. An orchestra does play in the backround. I found 401 424 and 413 on

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=81512282220&type=rec&item=4301927

the haredest piece ritten for cello is pagganini caprice 24. becase its not even supposed to be played on teh cello

YES! I went on music scores website and some-what translated it from violin to cello.
I put it down 3 half-steps from the violin sheet music and then ignored the violin clef, sharp, flat and natural signs. The way I did it is first note A note on the G-string first finger AND on the measures where the notes were too low I went up an octave. It would be kind of boring if the whole song was on the A-string lol.


The first page of it is actually quite easy to play. Too bad I wasn`t able to print it! Hmm, I wonder if that is how 8notes has it?

The Piatti cello caprices. They are harder than any concerto, sonata, any of the Bach suites, Paganinni 24 or any thing I have ever seen. I should know because I`m a cello professor.

*Paganini (sorry)