10 Great FREE Cello Sheet Music Pieces for All Levels

For cello players of all levels, it’s important to have access to high-quality free Cello Sheet Music that suits your skill level and musical preferences, for a fulfilling practice session. In this article, we’ve gathered for you ten exceptional free cello sheet music arrangements. Each of these compositions offers a distinctive musical journey, ranging from the elegance of Saint-Säens “The Swan” to the contemporary hit “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. This selection is available for free, enabling you to delve into the world of cello sheet music, without incurring any additional expenses!

▶️ Get unlimited 14-day access for FREE to more than 80,000 cello sheet music titles for all levels! 

1. Discover Schubert’s free sheet music Ave Maria

▶️Play “Ave Maria” FREE cello sheet music

Is Schubert’s “Ave Maria” too popular? This is what some critics think, given the innumerable adaptations that the work has undergone, since its creation in 1825.

The melody is exquisite: a very simple prayer addressed to the Virgin Mary, inspired by the Walter Scott poem The Lady of the Lake. In the poem, the heroine implores Our Lady to protect her father, with whom she has escaped into a grotto.

In order to work on this free cello sheet music, you can annotate your score, work on the tricky passages in a loop, and use the metronome to help you practise.

2. Perform Lightly Row free cello sheet music

▶️️ Play “Lightly Row” FREE cello sheet music

“Hänschen klein” (“Little Hans”) is a German folk song that originated in the 19th century. The first lyrics told of a boy who ventures from home into the world, and returns as a man to his family. It later became a children’s song with arranged lyrics. The melody of “Hänschen klein” is now used in “Lightly Row”, a Mother Goose rhyme that became very popular in the 20th century in the United States.

The song is often used as a beginner’s piece for those learning to play string instruments, including the cello. Its simple and repetitive structure makes it accessible for novice musicians. “Lightly Row” is frequently used as an introductory piece to teach basic techniques such as bowing, fingering and reading sheet music. Access the free cello sheet music of “Lightly Row” on Tomplay, to explore the fundamental skills of your instrument while enjoying the pleasing melody.

Perform this song, with a piano accompaniment included. You can also make use of all the built-in features of the Tomplay app: work on a passage in a loop, annotate your scores, or change the tempo to suit your ability; along with many more helpful features!

3. Gardel’s Por una Cabeza: free cello sheet music

▶️️ Play Gardel’s “Por una Cabeza” FREE cello sheet music

“Por una Cabeza” is a tango composition penned in 1935, by the musical brilliance of Carlos Gardel. The title, derived from a Spanish horse-racing expression, translates to ‘by a head’, signifying a narrow victory margin where a horse wins a race by the mere length of its head. The lyrics poetically portray a compulsive gambler, drawing parallels between his addiction to horse racing and his fascination with women. Notably, this musical gem takes centre stage in the opening scene of Steven Spielberg’s film, Schindler’s List (1993).

Explore this sheet music with Tomplay. You can play along with a high-quality recording of the cello and piano duet.

4. Discover the free cello sheet music of The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns

▶️️ Play Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan” FREE cello sheet music for 14 days

Composed in 1886 by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, this whimsical masterpiece is a musical menagerie that brings the animal kingdom to life through playful compositions. Each movement in this suite portrays a different animal, from graceful swans and prancing kangaroos to majestic lions and even the elusive fossils of prehistoric creatures.

Discover the free cello piece music of “The Swan” on Tomplay. You can play along with a high-quality recording of the cello part, with a piano accompaniment. Make use of all the useful features that Tomplay has to offer, which will help you get to grips with this piece!

5. Explore the free cello sheet music for Justin Hurwitz’s Mia and Sebastian’s Theme from La La Land

▶️️ Play Justin Hurwitz’s “Mia and Sebastian’s Theme” FREE cello sheet music for 14 days

Justin Hurwitz’s “Mia and Sebastian’s Theme” stands out as a poignant and memorable piece, from the acclaimed 2016 musical film La La Land. This bittersweet melody serves as the central musical motif throughout the movie, encapsulating the romance between the main characters. Hurwitz, a young American composer, gained widespread recognition for his work on La La Land, winning two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. While “Mia and Sebastian’s Theme” begins as a simple piano piece, it evolves throughout the film, appearing in various arrangements that reflect the characters’ journey. Its nostalgic quality and emotional depth have made it instantly recognisable, even outside the context of the film.

With Tomplay, you can play this cello arrangement sheet music with a professional piano backing track, allowing you to immerse yourself in the sound of the musical film. Our high-quality audio tracks provide an authentic cinematic experience. Let the magic of Hollywood begin at your fingertips!

6. Free cello sheet music for Hans Zimmer’s He’s a Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean

▶️️ Play Hans Zimmer’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: He’s a Pirate” FREE cello sheet music for 14 days

Embark on an exhilarating musical odyssey with “Pirates of the Caribbean: He’s a Pirate” by the celebrated composer Hans Zimmer – and it’s made even more thrilling with our free cello sheet music! This iconic soundtrack from the blockbuster film franchise captures the spirit of adventure, mystery and excitement, which defines the swashbuckling tales of seafaring pirates. Grab your cello and become the captain of your musical voyage!

With Tomplay, you can perform this free cello sheet music, accompanied by a high-quality audio backing track. Enjoy the different built-in features in our app: annotate your cello sheet music, tune up your instrument and record your performance.

7. Perform the free cello sheet music for Astor Piazzolla’s famous Libertango

▶️️ Play Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango” FREE cello sheet music for 14 days

Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango” stands out as one of the most iconic and revolutionary works in the nuevo tango genre. Composed in 1974, this timeless masterpiece embodies the innovative fusion of traditional tango with elements of jazz and classical music. Piazzolla (1921–1992), a renowned Argentine composer and bandoneon player, transformed the tango landscape, breathing new life and unprecedented musical complexity into it. While he left behind a vast musical legacy, it is “Libertango” that remains his most famous composition. It can be heard in numerous films, commercials and even in modern pop covers, testifying to its enduring influence on contemporary music.

With Tomplay, you can play this cello sheet music, accompanied by a high-quality piano accompaniment recording. 

8. Discover Yiruma’s River Flows In You with our free cello sheet music

▶️️ Play Yiruma’s “River Flows in You” FREE cello sheet music for 14 days

Originally, “River Flows In You” is a modern romantic piano solo piece crafted by the South Korean musician Yiruma, back in 2001. Featured in the soundtrack of the Twilight film saga, the title retains an air of mystery, encouraging listeners to interpret it personally, seeking their own internal current or emotions tied to love.

Utilising Tomplay, you have the opportunity to perform this song on the cello with our free cello sheet music, arranged for various skill levels. Slow down the tempo and speed it back up, as you work on getting to grips with this piece. 

9. Enjoy our free cello sheet music for Viva La Vida by Coldplay

▶️️ Play Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” FREE cello sheet music for 14 days

“Viva La Vida” is a contemporary and captivating song by the British band Coldplay. Released in 2008, it has been featured in various films, TV shows and commercials, attesting to its widespread popularity. The lyrics of the song contain historical and Christian references, and the track is built around a looping string section in unison with a digitally processed piano. The title, which translates to ‘Long Live Life’ in Spanish, is taken from a painting by 20th-century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Tomplay offers the opportunity to play this iconic piece with its free cello sheet music, tailored to different proficiency levels!

10. Perform the FREE cello sheet music of Metallica’s song Nothing Else Matters

▶️️ Play Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” FREE cello sheet music for 14 days

“Nothing Else Matters” is one of Metallica’s most famous songs: it is part of the band’s 1992 Black Album. James Hetfield originally wrote the song for a former girlfriend. However, the band now sells it as a song about their fans, because nothing else matters apart from them! It’s written in a 3/4 time signature, which is unusual for a rock song. 

Perform our arrangement of “Nothing Else Matters”, along with the rest of the band on an accompanying backing track. This song is available for many ability levels.

Discover these songs for free with Tomplay, or access our entire catalogue with a 14-day free trial! From contemporary hits to timeless classics, this free selection of cello sheet music offers a valuable opportunity to develop your cello skills and express yourself through music.

▶️ Get free unlimited 14-day access to more than 80,000 cello sheet music titles for all levels