Cello teachers insist on the importance during the initial stage of instruction of not unduly straining the pupil's left hand through premature introduction to the open position, they argue, this helps to stabilise the development of the hand position. The arrangement of the melodies included in the present volume was determined by the need for repertoire involving principally the first close position. The widest possible use is made of the cello strings III and IV. Moreover, the melodies have been arranged in such a way that they can be accompanied by a second instrument, and / or by the piano.
