The 10 Best Cello Books For Beginners In 2024

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Written by Izaak Walton
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Are you looking for the best cello books for beginners? If so, you’ve come to the right place. When you’re starting out learning an instrument, the options for learning can be overwhelming. With so many books, videos, and online courses to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.

To help you narrow down the choice, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the best beginner cello books currently on the market. Let’s get started.

If you’re a visual learner and prefer to learn by video, check out this amazing cello video course by Mike Block.

Quick Answer: The Best Beginners Cello Books

Preview
Our Favorite
Suzuki Cello School Cello Part & CD, Volume 1 (Internation Edition) (Suzuki Cello School, Vol 1)
The ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book & MP3/PDF)
Essential Elements for Strings - Book 1 (Original Series): Cello
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Cello: A Must-Have Collection of Well-Known Songs, Including Many Cello Features
The Big Book of Disney Songs: Cello
Name
Suzuki Cello School Cello Method Book
The ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner
Essential Elements for Strings - Cello
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Cello
The Big Book of Disney Songs: Cello
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Reviews
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Amazon Prime
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Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Our Favorite
Preview
Suzuki Cello School Cello Part & CD, Volume 1 (Internation Edition) (Suzuki Cello School, Vol 1)
Name
Suzuki Cello School Cello Method Book
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Prime
Amazon Prime
Preview
The ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book & MP3/PDF)
Name
The ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Prime
-
Preview
Essential Elements for Strings - Book 1 (Original Series): Cello
Name
Essential Elements for Strings - Cello
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Prime
Amazon Prime
Preview
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Cello: A Must-Have Collection of Well-Known Songs, Including Many Cello Features
Name
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Cello
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Prime
Amazon Prime
Preview
The Big Book of Disney Songs: Cello
Name
The Big Book of Disney Songs: Cello
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Prime
Amazon Prime

Top Cello Books for Beginners Reviews

Below are our reviews of some of the popular cello books currently on the market. As most of these books are very inexpensive, we’d recommend trying out a few to see which one you prefer.

Another thing is you’ll need a method book and some repertoire book with pieces to practice. Check out some of our recommendations below.

1. Suzuki Cello School Method Book

Sale
Suzuki Cello School Cello Part & CD, Volume 1 (Internation Edition) (Suzuki Cello School, Vol 1)
  • Publisher: Summy-Birchard Company
  • Publisher: Summy-Birchard Company
  • Publisher: Summy-Birchard Company

Claiming the coveted top spot on our list is the Suzuki Cello School Cello Part & CD Volume 1, the newest revised edition of the iconic Suzuki line of music books. 

Suzuki is well-known for providing some of the best learning materials around, and their cello book series is no different. It has comprehensive, exceptionally written lesson plans designed by some of the top cello teachers in the world. 

The Suzuki teaching method focuses on the individual needs of each student, a welcome change from the typical one-size-fits-all approach of some other music books. 

With this cello book for beginners, every student can have a chance at becoming a proficient cello player in no time.

2. The ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner

The ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book & MP3/PDF)
  • The Abcs Of Cello For The Absolute Beginner Book/CD
  • "The CD contains audio and printable PDFs of the piano accomapaniments for play-along
  • It also contains audio of performances with violin and piano

Taking the runner-up spot on our ranking of the best cello books is the ABCs of Cello for the Absolute Beginner. 

While a team of cello teachers develops most other cello books, the ABCs of Cello is the brainchild of Janice Tucker Rhoda, a teacher with years of experience teaching hundreds of students. 

Its approach mirrors her in-person teaching, designed to foster the individual’s talents in relation to the group. Learners will become adept at melodies, finger scales, and more, and everything is super accessible and easy to understand. 

Overall, a fantastic option for children and adults who want to learn to play the cello. 

3. Essential Elements for Strings – Cello Edition

Essential Elements for Strings - Book 1 (Original Series): Cello
  • Essential Elements For Strings by Allen/Gillespie/Tellejohn-Hayes for Violin
  • Book 1
  • Gillespie, Robert (Author)

Coming to take the final top three spot is Essential Elements for Strings for the Cello, one of the established and widely distributed Essential Elements series often found in schools. 

Compared to our top two picks, this cello learning book takes a more generalized approach to its coursework. This makes it a great option for children who need to learn the same techniques as their peers or someone looking for a tried and true learning technique. 

However, the excellent pacing makes Essential Elements stand out from other classroom cello books. It’s perfect for learners of all ages and essential for those who want a strong grasp of how most people learn cello. 

4. First 50 Songs You Should Play on Cello

If you’re looking to go beyond theory and learn to play songs, the First 50 Songs You Should Play on Cello is the best option for you. 

With this book, you’ll have access to a wide range of songs for the cello, including classical staples to popular pop hits through the decades!

While we don’t recommend getting this book on its own if you’re an absolute beginner, we suggest picking this one up along with a basic learning book as well. 

In our opinion, it’ll help keep you engaged, and it’s a great way to break up the sometimes-monotonous classical learning structure of other books. 

5. The Big Book of Disney Songs on Cello

Sale
The Big Book of Disney Songs: Cello
  • Series: Instrumental Folio Format: Softcover Composer: Various ISBN: 9781458411310 UPC: 884088590970 80 pages Tracks include: Beauty and the Beast Can...
  • Format: Softcover
  • Composer: Various

Want to take your learning to the next fun and fantastical step? Well, look no further than The Big Book of Disney Songs: Cello. 

If your little learner is itching to put their cello skills to the test, Disney songs are a great way to connect their classical skills to something they know and love. It’ll help reinforce what they’ve already learned and show them where they need to improve. 

This book features 72 songs, including hits from classics like Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, and more! Plus, you can even get this one on Kindle!

6. Easy Pop Melodies: for Cello

Sale
Easy Pop Melodies: for Cello
  • Cello
  • Pages: 64
  • Instrumentation: Cello

Another great option for learning songs for the cello is Easy Pop Melodies: for Cello. It’s a worthwhile alternative for beginner cellists, especially those who have outgrown some of the other songbooks on the market. 

Learn to play popular hits from different eras in pop, from “My Girl” and “Unchained Melody” to “Viva la Vida” and “Clocks.” 

Easy Pop Melodies has some of the best page layouts on the market, with large and bold chords and symbols that make it simple to play and read at the same time. 

Overall, an excellent option for those of you who want to expand your repertoire from classical territory into something more modern. 

7. First Position Scale Studies for the Cello

First Position Scale Studies for the Cello, Book One
  • Harvey, Cassia (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 52 Pages - 09/06/2018 (Publication Date) - C. Harvey Publications (Publisher)

Making the seventh spot on our ranking is the First Position Scale Studies for the Cello, an exceptional book for beginners who need a firm understanding of basic scales. 

Another popular book to use in classrooms, First Position takes a fun and vibrant approach to learning the cello. Its pages are filled with helpful diagrams and bold fonts, perfect for reading at a glance. 

The First Position series is also one of the better options in relation to scales. If your child is having trouble with scales, teachers recommend this book as a supplement to some of the other music books on the market. 

8. 101 Hit Songs For Cello

Sale
101 Hit Songs: for Cello
  • for Cello Series: Instrumental Folio Format: Softcover Artist: Various Inventory #HL 00197190 ISBN: 9781495075377 UPC: 888680645519 Width: 9.0 in....
  • This massive collection will keep instrumentalists busy with 101 pop hits to learn and play! Songs include: All About That Bass All of Me Brave...
  • This massive collection will keep instrumentalists busy with 101 pop hits to learn and play! Songs include: All About That Bass All of Me Brave...

Are you looking to spice up your child’s learning experience? 101 Hit Songs: for Cello is an impressive collection of some of the most memorable songs through the decades. Learning cello and relating it to the music you love has never been so fun!

Inside this 160-page music book, you’ll find songs like “I Gotta Feeling,” “Jar of Hearts,” “Shake It Off,” and more! 

101 Hit Songs: for Cello features more songs than similar pop-music collections for cello. A great supplemental book for some of the more theory-based books on our list!

9. 101 Classical Themes for Cello

Sale
101 Classical Themes for Cello
  • 101 Classical Themes for Cello Instrumental Folio Series Softcover
  • This huge collection offers instrumentalists the chance to play 101 classical themes, including: Ave Maria · Bist du bei mir (You Are with Me) ·...
  • 1 · Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring · Lullaby · Minuet in G · Ode to Joy · Piano Sonata in C · Pie Jesu · Rondeau · Theme from Swan Lake ·...

Interested in learning some of the more classical hits considered part of the cellist’s canon? 101 Classical Themes for Cello features some of the most iconic works of the cello ever written. 

Learn how to play works for the cello like “Rondeau,” “Theme From Swan Lake,” “The Flight of the Bumble Bee,” and so many more respected pieces from iconic composers!

101 Classical Themes for Cello is another fantastic supplement to learning theory from one of the other books on our list and is perfect for recitals and other serious performances! 

10. Easy Classical Cello Solos

Easy Classical Cello Solos: Featuring music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and others.
  • Marcó, Javier (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 30 Pages - 05/04/2011 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)

And finally, featuring pieces from the most iconic composers of all time, the Easy Classical Cello Solos is the perfect beginner and intermediate book for cello solos, featuring pieces from the most iconic composers of all time. 

While every cellist needs to learn the basics, you also need to learn to stand out from the rest of the orchestra. Learning classical cello solos is a great way to learn how the old masters played and how your own style can evolve from their works. 

Easy Classical Cello Solos is best bought after you or your little learner has already gotten a grasp on the fundamentals of playing the cello, as outlined in the books above. 

Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?

While we recommend picking up a few of these cello books, everyone should get the Suzuki Cello School Method Book. Their series of books are a must-have for string players of all instruments. Its comprehensive lesson plans from teachers with real-world experience really help it stand out from the rest of the pack. 

No matter which of these cello books you choose, we’re sure you’ll be well on your way to becoming an intermediate to advanced cello player in no time. All it takes is a little practice, some patience, and one of these books!

Sale
Suzuki Cello School Cello Part & CD, Volume 1 (Internation Edition) (Suzuki Cello School, Vol 1)
  • Publisher: Summy-Birchard Company
  • Publisher: Summy-Birchard Company
  • Publisher: Summy-Birchard Company
Photo of author

Izaak Walton is a violinist and violin teacher based out of Denver, Colorado. Izaak received a Master’s in Violin Performance at the University of Denver, and a Bachelor’s in Violin Performance from the University of Georgia. Exposed to a variety of violin methods and musical styles, Izaak built passions for music history, literature, and violin technique.