for Beginning String Classes by Heather Gullstrand

  Pages 1-14 no staff, note heads with letter names  New concepts at top of page  Bowed exercises appear on p. 14  Regular note heads appear on p. 15. Strictly Strings

  Curved bridge  Hand positions  Fingering  String maintenance  Instrument/bow parts  (can be easily copied for a quiz ; ) Diagrams

  Rote learning  Technique is incorporated into the pieces  (no etudes…except for #12…”Etude”…)  Bow is used from the start  Focus is on intonation and tone production  Best for use in homogeneous settings Suzuki Method

  1.) An early start  2.) A superior environment  3.) A commitment to practice  4.) A superior instructor  5.) A thorough teaching method Suzuki Method The Five Conditions for Ability Development

  Focus is on positioning the instrument  Color coded string indicators  National Standards indicated throughout  New concepts (“directions) and reviewed concepts are indicated throughout New Directions for Strings

  Rote activities are incorporated throughout  Letter names only at the beginning of Book 1  Pizzicato circles (bow lift preparation)  Can be used in a team teaching setting with a music theory or other general music teacher New Directions

  2 options for bass players: “traditional” and “D string” (3 rd position from the start)  Music theory practice activities  Dictation skills and ear training are incorporated  More advanced techniques are introduced early on : finger tunnels, bow lifts, bow use New Directions

 The method books that I grew up with …

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  Great color pictures of real human beings positioning their instruments  New concepts are found on “Adventure Maps”  Eighth note rhythm introduced early  Repeated notes with note heads & letter names String Explorer

  Notes appear on staff early on; exercises have many repeated notes  Bowing techniques introduced early on (hooked bowings and slurs)  Ear training, theory, and composition activities  Throughout  Solfege introduced  Improvisation exercises  Composer and music history information String Explorer

  All for Strings- KJOS Music All for Strings- KJOS Music All for Strings

  Keep left hand fingers down! Keep left hand fingers down!  Many photos of instrument positioning, technique, maintenance.  Many fingering charts incorporated throughout. All for Strings

  The most widely used String Method book in the USA  Pizzicato is used for an extended time, setting the left hand position well before introducing the bow Essential Elements 2000

  Note names are indicated inside note heads  Indications of “fingers down” throughout  Bow technique and rhythm: “Rosin Raps” p. 13  Fingering chart near the end (I feel that there should be more of these incorporated throughout the book)  Teacher manual has many resources:  Evaluation  Parent letters  Teaching tips and timelines Essential Elements 2000

  Newest addition to string methods by Bob Phillips  Teacher can create book by selecting techniques, songs, exercises  Single sheet orchestra music with new concepts and terms (3 more added this year) Sound Innovations Series

  Sound Innovations Sound Innovations

  Artistry in Strings Artistry in Strings

  Allen, M., Gillespie, B., Tellejohn-Hayes, P., & Higgens, J. (2001). Essential Elements 2000 Book 1.  Anderson, G., & Frost, R. S. (2008). All for Strings Book 1. Kjos.  Applebaum, S. (1995). String Builder Book 1. : Belwin Mills.  Dillon, J., Kjellan, J., & O'Reilly, J. (1993). Strictly Strings. Highland Etling.  Fischbach, G., & Frost, R. S. (2002). Artistry in Strings Book 1. Kjos.  Muller, J. F., & Rusch, H. (1962). String Method Book 1. Kjos.  Phillips, B., Boonshaft, & Sheldon. (2010). Sound Innovations String Orchestra Bk 1. Alfred.  Phillips, B., Dabczynski, A., & Meyer, R. (n.d.). String Explorer Book 1. Highland Etling.  Suzuki, S. (2007). Suzuki Violin School Book 1. Alfred. Resources