Xavier Foley

The Exercise Book (Intermediate)

$4.99 USD

~~$15.00 USD~~ $4.99 USD

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Instrument double bass cello Violin Viola

Copies 1 Copy 5 Copies (Great for music teachers)

Featured video

Product description

The Exercise Book is a digital collection of 18 carefully written exercises designed to build real technique while keeping practice enjoyable. Available for double bass, cello, viola, and violin, each edition is thoughtfully adapted to suit the unique range and demands of the instrument. Instead of repetitive, lifeless drills, every exercise feels like a short piece of music, keeping you engaged as you develop essential skills. Musicians often find themselves practicing more and improving both their technique and musicality, simply because the exercises are fun and genuinely addictive to play.

This book is ideal for intermediate and returning players who want to strengthen fundamentals without feeling overwhelmed or bored. Every exercise is practical, musical, and immediately playable.

What you’ll work on

Stronger left hand coordination and finger strength
Improved rhythm, intonation, and note clarity
Better control across lower position to thumb position.
Building endurance for longer, more confident playing sessions

Why players love it

Exercises sound like music, not mechanical drills
Clear and easy to read notation
Designed to fit into short, focused practice sessions
Helps rebuild technique while keeping motivation high

Choose Your Instrument:

Select the edition that matches your instrument to get the most out of every exercise. Each version is carefully adapted for double bass, cello, viola, or violin, ensuring the material fits your range, technique, and musical voice. Simply refer to the guide below and choose your instrument before adding the book to your cart.

If you play a brass or wind instrument, you can still use the book by selecting an edition that matches your clef. The exercises are easily adaptable, making them a flexible tool across a wide range of instruments.

For Teachers:

The 5-user option is perfect for teachers with a teaching studio. It allows you to use the book with multiple students, making it easy to share the material across your lessons while saving money compared to purchasing individual copies.

Instant access

The Exercise Book is delivered as a digital PDF. Download it instantly, read it on your tablet, or print it out and start playing right away.

Whether you are returning to the double bass or building your foundation from the ground up, The Exercise Book helps you practice smarter, stay consistent, and enjoy the process.

Other pieces included (click for video)

Specifications

File format: PDF
18 pieces to practice
page count: 24
download link will be sent to email used to purchase this product
Instant access.
Compatible devices: Windows, MAC, iPhone, Android, Tablet, iPad.

Get featured!

Submit a video of yourself playing music from the Exercise Book for a chance to be featured on my social media accounts. Featured videos gain exposure within the bass community and beyond, helping you reach potential gig opportunities while growing your social media presence.

Meet the composer

Xavier Dubois Foley

Xavier Foley, the owner of xavierfoley.com, is an award-winning international double bass soloist and composer. An Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, he was accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music at age 16 and graduated in 2016, where he studied with Edgar Meyer and Hal Robinson. He won First Prize at the 2014 Sphinx Competition Senior Division and was first place winner of the Young Concert Artists auditions in 2016. His works have been commissioned by many organizations, including Carnegie Hall, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the New World Symphony. Drawing on his performance and teaching experience, Xavier creates exercises that focus on building solid fundamentals through clear, musical material.

this is a great cello exercise book

Do you want some exercise routines for the cello that are fun to play and sound wonderful? Then this is the exercise book for you….

Thank you, so glad you’re enjoying it! Great to hear the exercises are both fun and musical.

The Exercise Book (Intermediate)

Rocky Cello Start Ends Well

I made another review about purchasing the cello version and not liking the transposing out of bass clef. Xavier contacted me and sent the original version right away. I appreciate his efforts to help, and his willingness to accommodate other instruments. Class act!

Thank you so much, we really appreciate your kind words! Glad we could help, and it means a lot to hear that.

The cello version is almost unplayable

Working with my teacher of twenty plus years we were unable to actually play most of these.

It appears the cello part has been directly has been directly transposed from the double bass and sadly it just doesn’t work.

Hello Paul,

As a bass player myself that has frequently played cello repertoire on the double bass (EG: Bach Cello Suites). I would be curious as to what makes this double bass repertoire impossible to play on the cello?

Many cello players have asked me to make versions available for cello, which means that the music has very little changes other than taking out certain harmonics because your instrument is tuned in 5ths, and certain double stops.

Usually, it is the other way around way around where music for double bass should be easier for cello players to play! Perhaps it is because the music written for this exercises uses a lot of thumb position for us double bass players? Which means cello players will also have to use thumb position?

Please be aware that I intentionally did not take the music an octave down for cello players as that would make the exercises easier. The whole point of these exercises is to introduce a CHALLENGE. If this music was easy, then where is the growth?

Paul, please take a listen to me performing the full Bach cello suite No. 2 in D minor and see that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I am actually playing your music in 90% thumb position while cello players play in a more comfortable position: https://youtu.be/6yj9VJjzd4w?si=SUjRTOqqyx_1AJ_d

Curious to here your reply. Thank you

-Xavier