Strings for the Non-String Player

The string class or orchestra can include players from many different backgrounds including students with years of playing experience, as well as true beginners. Socially, and musically, this situation requires a carefully designed curriculum, and an approach to assessment that fosters the ability and potential of every student in the classroom. This heterogeneous disparity of ability and instruments increases the necessity for students to make cognitive, insightful conclusions on their own. The teacher can and must manipulate these moments of perception. This course will focus on the fundamental principles of playing and teaching string instruments effectively. As accomplished instrumentalists and vocalists, you already recognize the tenets of fine musicianship, including expressivity, beautiful tone, precise intonation, and healthy posture. In this course you will strengthen your confidence in teaching string instruments by transferring your present knowledge of music performance to string techniques. Specific objectives will focus on a sequence for teaching posture and fingerboard geography, and the foundation of advanced techniques such as shifting and vibrato, in a heterogeneous string class setting. The physical requirements of successfully performing on each instrument, the kinesthetics of the bow arm, and the logic of navigating the fingerboard will be explored. This course will not only allow participants to foster their own technique on a string instrument but foster a growth in understanding fundamental principles of human learning in the context of developing intellectual and motor skills. Effective learning sequences that focus on the development of excellent fundamental skills will be the focus of each class session. Participants will practice creating successful learning experiences that effectively change student thinking and behavior.

The ultimate goal of the course is that you will acquire the basic skills and resources needed to be an effective string educator, the ability to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses as a string player and teacher, and to inspire continued improvement.

June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 22, 29   8-11am CST Synchronous sessions   

June 12, 19, 26 July 3, 10, 24 Non-synchronous independent and peer collaborative work

This course is limited to 15 participants.