Strategies for Teaching Strings Building a Successful String and Orchestra Program

by Hamann, Donald L.; Gillespie, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780195148879
• ISBN10: 0195148878
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-09-25
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Strategies for Teaching Strings is an essential guide for prospective, novice, and experienced string teachers. Acclaimed instructors Donald L. Hamann and Robert Gillespie share their years of experience, providing readers with all the information and skills necessary to teach stringinstruments in schools and to develop a successful school orchestra program. Based on national standards for teaching strings and orchestra, the text begins by introducing the string instrument family and presenting an overview of the school orchestra program. Subsequent chapters--divided into three levels of string competency corresponding to elementary, middle, andhigh school skills--cover performance goals and objectives, strategies for teaching technical and performance skills, and solutions to common playing problems for each ability level. Rehearsal planning and preparation, rehearsal techniques, practical approaches to teaching improvisation, studentrecruitment and retention, and choosing literature for the school orchestra are also covered. The book is enhanced by illustrations and photographs that demonstrate correct playing techniques and fingering positions. An appendix includes information about special pedagogical approaches andprofessional string associations. A full listing of the national content standards established by the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) appears in Chapter 6.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Chapter 1 THE STRING INSTRUMENT FAMILY	1	(13)
Instruments	1	(3)
Bows	4	(1)
Accessories and Supplies	5	(2)
Selecting String Instruments	7	(2)
Care and Maintenance of String Instruments and Bows	9	(3)
Summary	12	(1)
Resources	12	(2)
Chapter 2 THE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA PROGRAM	14	(15)
A Brief History of Orchestra Programs in the Schools	14	(2)
Values of Orchestra Programs in the School Music Curriculum	16	(2)
Strategies for Defending the School Orchestra Program	18	(3)
Developing Community Support for the Orchestra Program	21	(1)
The School Orchestra Curriculum	22	(2)
Enhancing the Orchestra Curriculum	24	(3)
References	27	(1)
Additional Resources	27	(2)
Chapter 3 BEGINNING STRING CLASS INSTRUCTION	29	(34)
Guiding Principles for Teaching Beginning String Classes	29	(1)
Performance Goals and Objectives of First and Second-Year String Classes	30	(1)
Strategies for Determining Proper Instrument Sizes	31	(2)
Pedagogy for Teaching Instrument Position	33	(6)
Additional Instrument Position Teaching Strategies	39	(1)
Left-Hand Shape: General Guidelines	40	(2)
Pedagogy for Teaching the Left-Hand Shape	42	(3)
Pedagogy for Teaching Pizzicato	45	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Beginning Finger Placement	45	(2)
Bowing Instruction: General Guidelines	47	(1)
Bow Hand Shape: General Guidelines	47	(2)
Pedagogy for Teaching Bow Hand Shape	49	(3)
Détaché Bowing: General Guideline	52	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Détaché Bowing	52	(4)
Beginning String Crossings: General Guidelines	56	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching String Crossings	56	(2)
Staccato and Hooked Bowings: General Guidelines	58	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Staccato and Hooked Bowings	58	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Slurs	59	(1)
Aural Skill Development in Beginning Classes: General Guidelines	59	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Beginning Aural Skills	59	(1)
Strategies for Teaching Instrument Tuning in Beginning String Classes	60	(1)
Problem Solving: Beginning Students' Common Playing Problems and Solutions	60	(3)
Chapter 4 INTERMEDIATE STRING CLASS INSTRUCTION	63	(34)
Performance Goals and Objectives of Third- and Fourth-Year String Classes	63	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Parallel Bowing	64	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Smooth Direction Changes	65	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Tone Production at Different Dynamic Levels	65	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Moderate-to-Faster Tempo String Crossings	66	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Slurring More than Four Notes	66	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Martelé Bowing	66	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Basic Spiccato	67	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Consistent Lengthened and Balanced Body Posture	68	(1)
Pedagogy for Refining Instrument Position	68	(2)
Intermediate Left-Hand Skills: General Guidelines	70	(12)
Pedagogy for Refining Left-Hand Shapes	82	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Cello Extensions	82	(1)
Shifting: General Principles	83	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Shifting	84	(1)
Vibrato: General Principles	85	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Vibrato	86	(6)
Double Bass Pivoting: General Guidelines	92	(1)
Pedagogy for Developing Intermediate Aural Skills in the School Orchestra	92	(2)
Intermediate Instrument Tuning	94	(1)
Problem Solving: Intermediate Students' Common Playing Problems and Solutions	95	(2)
Chapter 5 ADVANCED STRING CLASS INSTRUCTION	97	(31)
Goals and Objectives of Advanced Playing Skills	97	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Expressive Détaché Bowing	98	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Louré (Portato) Bowing	98	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Sul Tasto Bowing	99	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Ponticello Bowing	99	(2)
Pedagogy for Teaching Controlled Tremolo Bowing	101	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Collé Bowing	102	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Fast String Crossings	102	(1)
Pedagogy for Teaching Expressive Spiccato	103	(1)
Two-Octave Scales through Four Sharps and Four Flats: General Guidelines	104	(8)
Introducing Three-Octave Scales: General Guidelines	112	(10)
Pedagogy for Refining Shifting	122	(1)
Pedagogy for Refining Vibrato	123	(1)
Pedagogy for Developing Advanced Aural Skills in the School Orchestra	124	(2)
Advanced Instrument Tuning	126	(1)
Problem Solving: Advanced Students' Common Playing Problems and Solutions	127	(1)
Chapter 6 PLANNING THE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL	128	(43)
Your Goals and Objectives	128	(3)
Guidelines for Organizing the Rehearsal	131	(2)
Differences and Commonalities in Teaching Wind, Brass, and String Instruments	133	(6)
Keys to Efficient and Effective Development of Playing Technique in the String Class	139	(2)
Guidelines for Choosing Music	141	(3)
Preparing a Score	144	(7)
Lesson Plans	151	(3)
Evaluation of Teaching	154	(6)
The National Standards	160	(8)
References	168	(1)
Additional Resources for Teaching the National Standards in the School Orchestra	169	(1)
Additional Sample Repertoire for Use in Teaching the National Standards in the School Orchestra	169	(2)
Chapter 7 REHEARSAL TECHNIQUES	171	(24)
Planning for the Year	171	(1)
Your Rehearsal Room and Equipment	171	(1)
Tryouts	172	(6)
The Rehearsal	178	(1)
Tuning	178	(3)
Warm-Ups	181	(1)
Review of Old and Introduction of New Materials	182	(2)
Sight Reading	184	(1)
End of the Rehearsal	184	(1)
Rehearsal Format	185	(1)
Other Considerations	186	(1)
The First Rehearsal	187	(2)
Troubleshooting during Rehearsals	189	(4)
References	193	(2)
Chapter 8 PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO TEACHING IMPROVISATION IN THE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA	195	(5)
A Creative Drone Approach	196	(1)
A Riff Approach	196	(1)
A Call-and-Response or Question-and-Answer Approach	197	(1)
A Chordal Approach	198	(1)
A Rhythmic Ostinato Approach	199	(1)
Summary	199	(1)
References	199	(1)
Chapter 9 STRING STUDENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION	200	(13)
Philosophy	200	(1)
Preparation for Recruitment	200	(3)
Recruitment Procedures	203	(5)
Retention	208	(4)
References	212	(1)
Chapter 10 METHOD BOOKS AND MUSIC FOR THE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA PROGRAM	213	(9)
Printed Method Books	214	(1)
Recommended Publishers	215	(1)
String Orchestra Literature	216	(3)
Full Orchestra Literature	219	(1)
References	220	(1)
Additional Resources	220	(2)
APPENDIX: ADDITIONAL PEDAGOGICAL RESOURCES	222	(5)
Special Pedagogical Approaches	222	(3)
Professional String Associations	225	(2)
Index	227