The Cello Exercise Index: A searchable, sortable, accessible index of technical exercises

A major component of my doctoral research was the creation of the “Cello Exercise Index.” Technical exercise books are rarely indexed in detail and not always readily accessible. To address these issues, I created a traditional “back of the book” index not just for one book, but for a representative majority of the exercise repertoire. To build the Index, I individually analyzed, tagged, and entered data for the contents of exercise books, ultimately creating a resource that allows users to search for, browse, and filter exercises according to their needs. 

The Cello Exercise Index is an analysis and codification of technical exercises written for the cello, allowing for more effective and efficient use of the exercise repertoire. 

The dissertation itself is a guide to the Cello Exercise Index. The document includes details about the methodology of its creation and also considers broader questions about the value and relevance of exercises for contemporary cellists. To get a snapshot of the role of exercises in today’s cello studios, I conducted a series of semi-structured interviews to hear perspectives and opinions from four prominent cello teachers. 

Interested readers can find the dissertation HERE 

The version of the Index released alongside the dissertation can be accessed and downloaded via the Open Science Framework. Follow this link then download the Excel Document to use sorting and search features.