Quick Answer

Preparatory exercises for the Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 can help cellists develop the shifting, bow control, coordination, and technical confidence needed before learning the concerto itself. Because the concerto combines fast passages, shifting, string crossings, lyrical phrasing, and endurance, many students benefit from practicing focused technical studies before attempting the full work.

Preparatory studies can help cellists:

• strengthen shifting accuracy
• improve string crossings
• develop bow control
• build left-hand agility
• improve coordination at faster tempos
• prepare musically and technically for concerto repertoire

Step-by-step technical preparation often makes advanced repertoire feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

The Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto is a work for cello and orchestra (or piano), written at an advanced level. Studying this Concerto often takes a year or more; it’s a major work! In this blog post, you have free exercises that will help you prepare to play the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor.

While there are no clearly marked or numbered movements, the Concerto does have three fairly distinct sections that might correlate with our idea of typical concerto movements. 

Some techniques used in the first two movements are octave shifts, fast shifting (sometimes called “runs”) into the high positions, double stop fifths and sixths, spiccato, and thumb position. 

Awkward bowing is a part of Saint-Saens’ most famous works for cello, including the Allegro Appassionato, The Swan, and Concerto No. 1 in A Minor. These exercises help you prepare for some of the bowing challenges at the beginning of the Cello Concerto No. 1.

Preparatory Saint-Saens Cello Exercise: Bowing II

The first exercise here, Scale Shifting helps you work on the positions used in the Concerto. The second exercise, Rhythm and Staccato uses staccato to help you prepare for the rhythm at the opening of the piece. 

Preparatory Saint-Saens Cello Exercise: Rhythm and Staccato

These exercises continue work on the rhythm at the beginning of the Concerto. Practicing the rhythm on a scale, instead of on a single note, is an organized way of practicing the rhythm that also helps you get the feeling of motion that is in the piece. 

Preparatory Saint-Saens Cello Exercise: Rhythm II

Octave Shifts are in many major works for cello, including the Saint-Saens Concerto, the Lalo Concerto, and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations. More octave shift exercises can be found in Octave Shifts for the Cello, Book One, Book Two, and Book Three. 

Preparatory Saint-Saens Cello Exercise: Octave Shifts II

From the chromatic scale on page 2 of the Concerto to one of the famous “runs”, these exercises help you work on shifting in the Concerto. 

Preparatory Saint-Saens Cello Exercise: Shifting/Bowing Study

Want a PDF of these? See below!

Here are the Study Books that Teach You How to Play the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1, Measure by Measure

Note: The free e​xercises above are not a substitute for a full study of the Concerto like the one in The Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 Study Books. Instead, they help prepare you for the study books and show how exercises can make learning more efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto difficult?

As the first major cello concerto that many students learn, the Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 is technically demanding because it combines fast passagework, shifting, string crossings, lyrical phrasing, endurance, and advanced coordination throughout the piece. The concerto also requires strong bow control and musical contrast while maintaining technical precision.

How should cellists prepare for the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto?

Many cellists prepare more successfully by combining concerto practice with focused technical exercises and etudes. Helpful preparation often includes:

• shifting exercises
• scale and arpeggio studies
• string crossing exercises
• bowing studies
• slow practice
• rhythmic practice with a metronome
• Study Books that teach the Concerto

Technical preparation can make difficult concerto passages feel more secure and musical.

What technical skills are needed for the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto?

Cellists preparing this concerto usually need:

• reliable shifting
• strong intonation
• fast left-hand coordination
• controlled string crossings
• flexible bow technique
• rhythmic precision
• fluency in thumb position
• physical endurance in both hands

Preparatory technical studies are often helpful because they isolate these skills before students combine them in the full concerto. 

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