You know those students who really aren’t listening? The ones who never adjust their finger patterns from string to string? The ones who are totally unaware of how they actually sound? How do you motivate these students to play the … Read More
When I started to teach by finger pattern, one of the first activities I had my students do was to draw the fingering charts for each of the keys they were learning. This is a great way to give students … Read More
After the basics…. Once you’ve established the 6 Basic Finger Patterns for teaching strings, and how to name notes using the Note Circle, teaching students to play in different keys becomes easy. You don’t even have to teach them … Read More
Start your beginner strings playing in different keys right away with these easy-to-read first position fingering charts! Fingering charts help students easily understand and memorize fingering for different keys, and should be an essential part of any strings classroom. Whether … Read More
Using just six finger patterns can greatly simplify how you teach violin, viola, cello and double bass and help you achieve more in less time. I first wrote about The Six Basic Finger Patterns back when I started this blog. Since … Read More
Have your students ever wondered why they should practice their scales, and what this has to do with mastering their instruments? Well, Smart Bowing Exercises for Strings will give them over 100 reasons why! This truly unique resource has well-organized … Read More
Why do we practice scales? Have you ever given more than a moment’s thought to this? Sure, we practice scales to learn fingering, some rhythms, and to practice shifting. But there must be more to it, or the most elite … Read More
Smart Scales for Strings makes playing scales on the Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass look easy! Laid out in a clear and natural progression, it is the only comprehensive scale book for the beginner to intermediate player. It is … Read More
We need new scale books for Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass…. I know I haven’t posted at all in the past while, but that’s because I have been working on finishing Smart Scales for Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass … Read More
How would you like to make teaching scales and fingering super easy? This lesson is going to transform how you teach scales and fingering to your string classroom, or your private violin, viola, cello or bass students. And it is … Read More
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
Here are two quick activities that help string students get to know the notes on their instrument right away…. 1. The Note Circle Becoming fluent in the notes can be awkward for students. This simple activity is fun and easy, … Read More
When starting a beginner on a stringed instrument, whether it be violin, viola, cello or bass, it is important to set them up for success. On a stringed instrument, this can be daunting, what with the bow, the instrument hold, … Read More
Smart String Teacher’s Smart Fingering Charts for Strings is a must-have for your intermediate to advanced violin, viola, cello or bass students, and yourself! A good set of fingering charts should be an essential part of a string player’s resources. … Read More
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