A Brief Comparison

of String Method Books

for Beginning String Classesby

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 MethodThe 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” (3rd 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…

The method books that I grew up

with…

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

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