A first year string orchestra class- Technique Learned vs. Performance Literature Available
- The method books teachers most often use start with the left and right-hand techniques for the A-string and D-string— but we want to learn all four strings earlier because of the similarities that exist by simply moving horizontally on the instrument
- There is a mountain of string orchestra literature beginning students now have access to because we are connecting the physicality of the instrument to the music, and an extra practice exercise for any music being performed can only help!
This is a sample of a straight-forward exercise sheet written for teaching the first position on all 4 strings using the staff. All instruments can be played together to create harmony, or separated in whichever ways you want! (Later examples of these concept sheets can include specific measures from a piece an orchestra is performing.)
Wasson Music 