Let me first start by saying that choosing a method book is a very difficult decision! It’s also a very personal decision because every teacher has different values, teaching philosophies, and teaching situations. There are are a variety of factors that may impact a teacher’s method book decision, including, but not limited to, the age and maturity of your students, class size, environment, funding sources, the length and frequency of classes, and more. In addition, the pedagogical sequence, pacing, and content may impact your decision. Finally, some books offer fantastic “extra” resources that are included with the purchase of a book and this may be the tipping point that leads to your ultimate decision.
There have been many method books added in recent years. While authors strive to create the best possible resource, it is important to remember that no method book is perfect. Every method book has positive points and potential draw backs. Authors of method books often have to make very difficult decisions as what to include and what to leave out. Most books are limited to 48 or 52 pages. Beyond that, the book becomes too large and too expensive.
As the expert in your field and the person who best understands your students, you want to choose a book that will best fit your needs and your particular situation. And because there is no perfect book, most teachers will customize their curriculum with other books, handouts, and resources to be most effective. While being loyal to one book may have some advantages or be a bit more simplistic, there is not one method book that will fit perfectly into a single situation.
Personally, I use Essential Elements as my core method. I chose Essential Elements because I appreciate the pacing, and the Pestalozzian philosophy of only introducing one new skill at a time. I like how the book is presented — it’s very clean and easy to read. It’s not overcrowded with a ton of information, thereby making the pages hard to comprehend and navigate.
I have been using Essential Elements since the late 90’s, well before I was invited to become an EE clinician. While I am proud to be a part of Hal Leonard and the Essential Elements team, I still feel the need to supplement my instruction with a variety of materials. I have enjoyed the additional resources that are a part of Essential Elements Interactive. This free online resource provides additional resources, such as PDF downloads of additional material, instructional videos, and more. At the heart of EEi is the music studio where your students can practice with music on screen and with fun accompaniment tracks. There are a lot of new features, including “Soundcheck” that will provide feedback on performances.
Besides EE, I regularly supplement with 3-4 additional books throughout the year. These may be other method books to supplement my instruction of rhythm studies, shifting, intonation, etc. I also strive to teach technical skills away from the sheet music so that students understand all of the skills they will be using prior to beginning a new piece. Some books focus heavily on certain techniques, provide different exercises, or offer a different approach, so this is when I will supplement with different resources, whether it be a different book, a handout I’ve made on Finale, or something else. It is definitely okay to do this! I highly encourage you to seek out additional resources beyond your method book.
Last, remember that many techniques can and should be taught by rote prior to using printed material.
To find what works best for you, you may need to experiment! I recommend purchasing a class set of different books.
Some of my favorite string methods…
Essential Elements for Strings
by Robert Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes, and Michael Allen
For teachers everywhere, Essential Elements has continued as the standard of pedagogy. Its carefully designed curriculum makes student learning efficient, yet fun, at all levels. In addition, Essential Elements continues its innovation with powerful technology-based learning tools, supplementary components, and correlated performance materials.
Links to purchase books:
Book 1
Book 2
Book Two is a great way to help your students beyond the beginning stages. Book 2 develops performance skills through a variety of exercises, melodies, and engaging music. Read below to see how EE Book 2 can help your students in your music classroom.
Essential Technique (Book 3)
Essential Technique for Strings Book 3 further develops music skills for the intermediate and advancing student. Book 3 introduces students to higher positions, shifting, advanced bowing, and special techniques. THREE MAJOR SECTIONS: Higher Positions and Shifting, Keys and Scales, Bowings, Rhythms and Vibrato
Advanced Technique (Book 4)
Level 4 of Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Strings series is perfect for your advanced-level students. Each book includes: – A detailed practice routine for scales – Three-octave major and minor scales and arpeggios – A systematic fingering system for scales – Extensive shifting exercises for advanced positions – Shifting reinforcement in a musical context using unison orchestra excerpts – Advanced technical development – Sequenced rhythmic and bowing studies – and much more!
BONUS!!
Each book comes with Essential Elements Interactive – a powerful online resource for use in class or at home. EEi is included FREE with the purchase of a student book and provides students with many tools, including:
- Enhanced Play-along Tracks
- Cloud-based Recording Studio
- Ability for teachers to assign, organize, and grade recordings
- Ever-Expanding Resources
- Track Student Progress
- and much more
Habits of a Successful String Musician
by Christopher Selby and Scott Rush
(Best suited for very advanced middle school or high school)
Habits of a Successful String Musician is a field-tested, vital, and most importantly musical collection of almost 400 sequenced exercises for building fundamentals. Perfect to use with the entire string orchestra or solo player at virtually any skill level, this series contains carefully sequenced warm-ups, sight-reading etudes, rhythm vocabulary studies, chorales, tuning canons, and much more. In one place, this series collects everything an aspiring player needs to build fundamental musicianship skills and then be able to transfer those skills directly into the performance of great literature. Habits of a Successful String Musician: Presents a differentiated, sequential, and comprehensive method for developing skills that lead to the mastery of reading rhythms, and ultimately, to musical sight-reading. Creates a method for teaching scales, arpeggios and thirds that simultaneously accommodates students of different ability levels. Organizes tone, rhythm and articulation patterns into a flexible and sequential series. Creates finger pattern and velocity studies that address the most common problems encountered by intermediate orchestra students. Provides beginning through advanced shifting exercises for students of every level. Creates exercises for learning alternate clefs and higher positions. Provides chorales for the development of intonation, tone quality, blend and musicianship. Presents rhythm charts in a new format that allows transfer from timing and rhythm to pitches in a musical context. Provides audition sight-reading in a classroom full ensemble format that is well planned in scope and sequence. There are over 130 sight-reading examples in this book. Promotes the idea that students should cross the threshold from the technical components of playing to music making. Habits of a Successful String Musician is the answer to the very simple question: What should I be learning during fundamentals time?
Purchase books here:
Habits of a Successful Middle-Level String Musician
(Best suited for middle school, intermediate players)
Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician is a field-tested musical collection of over 300 sequenced exercises for building fundamentals. Perfect to use with the entire string orchestra or a solo player, this series contains carefully sequenced finger pattern and shifting etudes, tone and articulation warm-ups, sight-reading exercises, rhythm vocabulary studies, chorales, and much more. In one place, this series collects everything an aspiring player needs to build fundamental musicianship skills and then be able to transfer those skills directly into the performance of great literature. Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician: Presents a differentiated, sequential, and comprehensive method for developing finger pattern and shifting skills to address the most common problems encountered by intermediate level orchestra students. Organizes tone, rhythm, and articulation patterns into a flexible and sequential series. Creates a method for teaching scales, arpeggios, and thirds that simultaneously accommodates students of different ability levels. Provides chorales for the development of intonation, tone quality, blend, and musicianship. Presents sequenced rhythm vocabulary charts in a format that allows transfer from timing to pitches in a musical context. Includes over ten pages of audition sight-reading exercises in a full- ensemble format that is well planned in scope and sequence. Promotes the idea that students should cross the threshold from the technical components of playing to music making. Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician is the answer to the very simple question, What should I be learning during fundamentals time?
String Basics: Steps to Success for String Orchestra
by Jeremy Woolstenhulme, Terry Shade, and Wendy Barden
String Basics 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. Clear, full-color photographs and fingering chart diagrams introduce playing positions, bow hold and bowing, and left hand finger patterns. Duets, rounds, trios, and orchestra arrangements develop student’s ability to play in an ensemble setting right away. Duets are designed to strengthen ear training and establishing good information. Theory & Composition offers students hands-on experiences to better understand what they see and hear by actually learning to notate music and compose simple melodic lines. This book is one component of the Strings Basic Series that includes the Interactive Practice Studio, which is a unique and trendsetting downloadable resource containing a wealth of supporting biographical, historical, and cultural information; photos, maps, artwork, audio samples, video and more. It’s designed with your students in mind. Fun – Inspiring – Motivating!
Sound Innovations
By Bob Phillips, Peter Boonshaft, and Robert Sheldon
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. With SI Online, adjust the pacing and focus of your teaching any time during the semester to address differentiation and the unique needs within your classroom. Also, access streaming audio and video content and explore the wealth of additional repertoire available online. Learn more at www.alfred.com/SIOnline.
Book 1
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano Accomp.
Book 2
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano Accomp.
Book 3
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano Accomp.
- Alfred Publishing Co. Model#0034593
- Phillips, Bob (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages – 04/01/2010 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Phillips, Bob (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages – 04/01/2011 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
- Phillips, Bob (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages – 05/01/2010 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
- Phillips, Bob (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 56 Pages – 06/01/2012 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
- Phillips, Bob (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 56 Pages – 06/01/2012 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
Measures of Success
by Gail Barnes, Brian Balmages
Measures of Success for String Orchestra is a comprehensive musicianship string method for the beginning orchestra student. Students are engaged in a variety of ways including playing, listening, evaluating, conducting, and critiquing. A well-structured pace is set to accomplish certain goals. Basic skills (bowing, fingering and posture), theory, rhythm, and history are progressively discussed throughout. Includes a DVD with video tutorials, recorded accompaniments, and the ability to transfer MP3s to a computer or mobile device.
Book 1
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano Accomp.
Book 2
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano Accomp.
Book 3
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Piano Accomp.
- English (Publication Language)
- 999 Pages – 01/01/2023 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
- FJH Music Model#SB307VC
- English (Publication Language)
- 999 Pages – 03/01/2023 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
- Format: Book
- Instrument: Violin
- Category: String Orchestra Method/Supplement
- Contributors: By Gail V. Barnes, Brian Balmages, Carrie Lane Gruselle, Michael Trowbridge
- Pub Date: 3/2023
- Format: Book
- Instrument: Viola
- Category: String Orchestra Method/Supplement
- Contributors: By Gail V. Barnes, Brian Balmages, Carrie Lane Gruselle, Michael Trowbridge
- Series: Measures of Success for String Orchestra
- Format: Book
- Instrument: Bass
- Category: String Orchestra Method/Supplement
- Contributors: By Gail V. Barnes, Brian Balmages, Carrie Lane Gruselle, Michael Trowbridge
- Series: Measures of Success for String Orchestra
Mueller-Rusch Method
by J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch, by Kjos Music
Vintage method with some really great pedagogy and exercises. Book 3 (the orange one) is my favorite!
The Müller- Rusch String Series has helped create successful string programs for over 45 years! The complete, thorough, and sequential course of study ensures the succesful, simultaneous development of all string instruments, building a solid foundation whether used for class or individual instruction. Five books in progressive levels of difficulty, are available for Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass, and Full Conductor Score/Piano Accompaniment.
Book 1 (Green)
Book 2 (Brown)
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
Book 3 (Orange)
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
Book 4
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
Book 5
- Teachers Manual
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- J. Frederick Muller and Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 10/01/1961 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- Neil A. Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 01/01/2016 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 01/01/2016 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages – 01/01/2016 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- KJOS (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 01/01/2013 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 01/01/2016 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages – 01/01/2016 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
- J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages – 01/01/2016 (Publication Date) – Koala Publications (Publisher)
- J. Frederick Muller & Harold W. Rusch (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages – 01/01/2016 (Publication Date) – Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
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