School Materials: Method Books to Learn Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass
A Collection of materials frequently assigned in strings classrooms. Great for kids, teachers and adults. These books are pedagogically tested and will help anyone advance their playing in a progressive manner. If you’re looking for a “how to” or need the book the teacher assigned, here is a great list of popular methods. Teachers may learn some new approaches as well!
Essential Elements for Strings (book three: Essential Technique for Strings) offers beginning students sound pedagogy and engaging music, all carefully paced to successfully start young players on their musical journey. EE features both familiar songs and specially designed exercises, created and arranged for the classroom in a unison-learning environment, as well as instrument-specific exercises to focus each student on the unique characteristics of their own instrument. EE provides both teachers and students with a wealth of materials to develop total musicianship, even at the beginning stages.
Essential Elements now includes Essential Elements Interactive (EEi), the ultimate online music education resource. EEi introduces the first-ever, easy set of technology tools for online teaching, learning, assessment, and communication... ideal for teaching today's beginning band and string students, both in the classroom and at home.
Essential Elements for Strings (book three: Essential Technique for Strings) offers beginning students sound pedagogy and engaging music, all carefully paced to successfully start young players on their musical journey. EE features both familiar songs and specially designed exercises, created and arranged for the classroom in a unison-learning environment, as well as instrument-specific exercises to focus each student on the unique characteristics of their own instrument. EE provides both teachers and students with a wealth of materials to develop total musicianship, even at the beginning stages.
Essential Elements now includes Essential Elements Interactive (EEi), the ultimate online music education resource. EEi introduces the first-ever, easy set of technology tools for online teaching, learning, assessment, and communication... ideal for teaching today's beginning band and string students, both in the classroom and at home.
String Basics: Steps to Success for String Orchestra is a comprehensive method for beginning string classes. Utilizing technical exercises, music from around the world, classical themes by the masters, and original compositions, students will learn to play their string instruments in an orchestra. Step-by-step sequences of instruction will prove invaluable as students learn to hold their instrument and bow, finger new notes, count different rhythms, read music notation, and more.
The Belwin String Builder is a string class method in which the violin, viola, cello, and bass play together throughout. Each book, however, is a complete unit and may be used separately for class or individual instruction. The material in this book is realistically graded so that only a minimum of explanatory material is required. Each melody is interesting and will provide the basis for a fine left hand technic and bow arm. Available in three levels for violin, viola, cello, bass, piano accompaniment, and teacher's manual.
Foundations for Strings provides a substantial amount of progressive material to develop and reinforce both reading and technical skills. The music is written to encourage strong, solid playing while dealing with well-balanced, musical exercises that move at a pace that retain the interest of the students with both familiar and new material that allows them to play and sound like “real” players.
Introducing SI Online: Access streaming video MasterClasses and audio accompaniments for Books 1 & 2. Adjust the pacing any time during the semester to address the unique needs within your classroom utilizing the free additional materials online. Adjust the focus of your teaching and address the differentiation of abilities in your classroom with adding more music history, theory, technique, rhythm, scales, composition, improvisation, assessment pages, and more. Explore the wealth of additional repertoire available online, including duets and small ensembles.
Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 2. By Bob Philips, Peter Boonshaft, and Robert Sheldon. Published by Alfred.
Sound Innovations for String Orchestra is a revolutionary, flexible, and comprehensive method that combines time-tested educational concepts, input from thousands of teachers, and advances in modern technology. A logical sequence, clean page layouts, clear goals for each exercise, and uncomplicated explanations combined with instrument-specific MasterClass videos and varied accompaniments will foster better comprehension and improved execution of technique. The content is organized into six short levels, providing benchmarks, assessment indicators, and intermediate goals.
Features of Sound Innovations for String Orchestra:
Simple, structured approach to teaching and learning
Meets state and national music education standards
Concepts are isolated and taught individually for better retention
Organized into structured, concise levels
Numerous ensemble-playing and performance oppotunities
Video MasterClasses cover the entire method - from beginning to end
Included with each book is access to a wealth of free online media:
Play-along tracks for every line of music
Video lessons from expert musicians and teachers
Supplemental content (covering rhythm, history, theory, and more) as well as additional repertoire
Note: For teachers who would prefer to use CD's or DVD's in the classroom, the score is available with a CD/DVD set which contains most of the same audio/video content to which all Sound Innovations users have digital access.
An easy-to-teach, straight forward string method from three renowned pedagogues. A unique letter-note style of music notation is utilized which ensures a smooth transition from rote to note reading. Students are quickly introduced to ensemble playing and play a wide variety of fun-to play melodies, keys and modes. Strictly Strings features a carefully prepared lesson sequence which develops all players' abilities equally.