Free Resources
Free Sheet Music
Accompanied by tutorial videos
Free 30-min Lesson
Get started with my free on-demand full-length beginner lesson
Download the e-book
A concise but comprehensive resource to get started on your cello journey
Practice Planner
Strategize your daily practice and maximize your practice time
There is no limit to what you can achieve with the right kind of work & the right knowledge.
I’m Billy Tobenkin, and I started my cello journey 15 years ago with no musical background and a completely untrained ear.
I’m now a professional cellist and online educator specializing in teaching adult learners.
I’m here to tell you that it is never too late, and that you can become a real cellist if you want.
Now is the time to get started.
Learn more about my online courses or scroll down to get started right away with my free downloads, sheet music, tutorials, and 30-minute lesson.
Take the first step, then the second. I’m here to help you along the way!
FREE 30-MIN BEGINNER LESSON
Making a beautiful sound from Day One
This lesson is for you if you’re new to cello (or coming back to it after a break) and want to learn how to draw a beautiful sound with your bow.
All you need is a reliable internet connection to watch the lesson and your cello and bow!
Download my free sheet music
And follow along with my tutorial videos!
G Major Scale Walkup
My scale walkup exercise is for you if you need help with fingerboard geography.
This version of my walkup (which goes up to 4th position) covers every hand position on each string that you’ll find yourself in when playing in the key of G major.
Learn Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah
Want to learn the quickest and most surefire way to learn a song like Hallelujah without excess physical tension? I teach my method for quick learning in a 4-part video series on YouTube.
Download the sheet music to follow along and learn this beautiful song!
Learn La Vie en Rose
La Vie en Rose, sung by Edith Piaf, is one of the quintessential romantic songs of the 20th century and a perfect song to learn to play for others.
Follow along as I guide you through left hand technique and developing a swing rhythm while using a metronome.
Learn Ode to Joy
This is a great beginner piece (playable entirely in first position) to learn for the holidays.
I break down the learning process in this video: We’ll analyze the music first, break it down into more digestible measures, and separate the hands.
Simple 5 minute shifting exercise
This shifting exercise between 1st and 4th positions is for you if you’re looking for a systematic approach to developing rock solid shifting between 1st and 4th position
As you keep on doing this exercise, you’ll start to develop a strong physical sense of where 1st and 4th position exist in 3 dimensional space and be able to apply this approach to other positions.
LOOKING FOR A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO STARTING?
My e-book is your go-to resource for learning cello as an adult
My e-book is for you if you want a concise guide to getting started. You’ll learn about finding the right teacher, finding the right equipment, how to fast-track your progress, and a bonus checklist to starting your journey.
STRATEGIZE YOUR PRACTICE
Get my simple (but highly effective!) practice planner!
My Adult Cello Practice Planner helps you strategize your practice by setting short-term goals and then devising and revising your daily plan to get there.