Smart tips for setting up instrument hold, posture, bow hold, etc., for violin, viola, cello or double bass in the private lesson or string classroom.

Are you taking bow hold exercises seriously enough?

  Teach bow hold exercises the smart way! You probably already teach bow hold exercises when you teach beginners, but do you know how crucial bow hold exercises are to the foundation of your students’ technique? I often find that … Read More

Free Beginner Bass Scales

The nice thing about teaching strings is, unlike band instruments, all the instruments are the same… almost!  The double bass is somewhat of an oddball, being played standing, only able to play two notes per string, and tuned in fourths … Read More

Note-Reading for Strings Handout and Worksheets

This handy reference for note-reading on violin, viola, cello and bass is great to have to reinforce music-reading skills! The worksheets present note-reading in a logical order to help reinforce note-reading and fingering on all strings, and help students see … Read More

Check Your Bow Posters!

Tightening and Loosening the Bow Properly…. Tired of bows that are too tight and students who forget to loosen their bows?  These posters are great for teaching beginners, and will give your students a visual reminder every time they get … Read More

String Orchestra Seating Plan Lesson

The set-up of a string orchestra can be a bit bewildering to beginners. One of the first things I do in September is use this handout with my beginning students to illustrate how a string orchestra is seated.  Through this … Read More

Are You Using SmartMusicTeacher YouTube Videos?

  In case you haven’t noticed yet, SmartMusicTeacher has a YouTube Channel with (at this moment) over 50 videos that are free for you to use with your violin, viola, cello and bass students.  And boy, did the videos come … Read More

How to Pack and Carry Your Cello – Video

I’ve watched many a student struggle with packing and unpacking their cello, and carrying them in awkward positions.  Packing a cello is actually very easy, and carrying it properly actually makes it feel really light.  After watching this video, you … Read More

Start Stringed Instruments Playing By Ear

It is very common for string teachers, whether they be classroom teachers or private violin, viola and cello teachers, to start their students off playing by ear.  This sets up a foundation for intonation and listening. Because playing a stringed … Read More