When you’re learning to play the cello, classical music can begin to feel monotonous after a while. To become proficient, you need to occasionally get out of your comfort zone and play other genres. That type of experience helps solidify your techniques and introduce new ones so that you develop an overall mastery of the instrument. The following rock songs can help you do just that.
This selection includes some of the most popular “downloaded” rock songs for the cello. Depending on your particular tastes (and the amount of disposable income you have available), you’re sure to find a song that can help you expand your performance portfolio.
“Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns and Roses. Many aspiring cellists have heard the 2 Cellos rendition of this iconic rock song. This scoring is their duet, so you can learn both parts, or have a fellow cellist learn it with you. Although this will definitely stretch your playing skills, it’s such an amazing feat that any audience will love it. The $6.99 download is published in A Minor.
“Dust in the Wind” by Kansas. This $2.25 download is an excellent song for beginner cellists to learn. The rich melody sounds awesome on the instrument. From their album, Point of No Return, it remains a classic rock ballad.
“The Scientist” by Coldplay. Download this bass clef arrangement in F Major for only $2.99. A very popular download, this mellow music is perfect for beginner cellists.
“Clocks” by Coldplay. Another popular hit by this band, the cello solo in D Major is available to download for $2.99.
“Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Although it’s only $2.99 to download this all-time rock icon for cello, you just can’t measure the cool contained in this 80’s hit. Playing it on the cello sounds fantastic.
“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift. It can be tough to recreate this pop hit on the cello, but this scoring includes both the instrumental part and solo, so you can really expand your skills by downloading this hit for $3.25.
“Space Oddity” by David Bowie. This arrangement (for $12.99) is written for a quartet, but learning the cello part is out of this world. A classic, this song remains a very popular sheet music download for intermediate level musicians.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns and Roses. This long-time favorite really rocks when played on the cello. The quartet sheet music (23 pages) is available for $14.99, and it includes the violins and viola parts as well as the part for your cello.
“Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves. This upbeat rock song is great for beginner cellists. Get the digital download of the string quartet arrangement, with score and parts included, for only $12.99.
“All My Love” by Led Zeppelin. Download this classic rock song, and incorporate the famous synth lick on the cello for only $29.95. It’s pricey, but worth it.
“The Best of Metallica” cello sheet music. This book features 12 solo arrangements for the cello along with a campanion CD. Fan favorites in this collection include The Day That Never Comes • Enter Sandman • Fade to Black • Harvester of Sorrow • Nothing Else Matters • One • Sad but True • Seek & Destroy • The Thing That Should Not Be • The Unforgiven • Until It Sleeps • Welcome Home (Sanitarium). It’s a bargain at $10.99.
In fact, Mona Lisa Sound has a number of cello rock song downloads that vary in price. Some of the top ones include:
- “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull
- “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
- “Break on Through” by The Doors
- “Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas
- “Crazy on You” by Heart
- “Crossroads” by Cream
- “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica
- “Just What I Needed” The Cars
- “Zombie” by the Cranberries
- “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones
- “Renegade” by Styx
- “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell
- “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix
- “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” and “Take Me to the River” by the Eurythmics
- “Who Are You” by The Who
All of the sheet music for these rock cello songs cost around $21.99 to $25.99, and they make a great addition to your current sheet music collection.
So, if you’re looking for new ways to expand your cello skills, or you just want to try some different music types, give one of these rock titles a try. You’ll never believe the difference it can have on your cello playing capacity. 
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