40 Melodic Progressive Etudes, Op.31, Book 1 for cello by Sebastian Lee
Published by Schott. Edited by Holger Best
Sebastian Lee (1805-87) was a renowned German cellist who had a thriving career in Paris as soloist at the Paris Opera and pedagogue at the Paris Conservatory. Many of his methods have endured and are still popular today.
His 40 Melodic Studies, Op.31 is one of the most widely used method books for the cello, guiding the student comfortably yet systematically thru progressive exercises ranging from the lower positions to thumb position, while introducing bowing techniques and various other musical challenges. The method is typically published in two volumes; this Schott Edition is the first volume, covering etudes nos. 1-22. This edition is newly adapted by Holger Best to match modern conventions and is based on the revised version by Hugo Becker. Intermediate level, Grade 3.