Strings for the Non-StringPlayer

Strings for the Non-String Player

ONLINE
June 7–July 3, 2021

Note: This is a 4-week course.

The string class or orchestra can include players from many different backgrounds; students with years of playing experience, as well as true beginners. Socially, and musically, this situation requires a carefully designed curriculum, and 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.

Instructor: Dr. Laurie Scott

Dr. Laurie Scott is Associate Professor of Music and Human Learning at the University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, she serves as the director of the University of Texas String Project and the Musical Lives string program at UT Elementary School. She has received both the Teaching Excellence Award from the Butler School of Music and from the University of Texas College of Fine Arts. A former middle and high school orchestra director, she now mentors young professionals toward successful lives as string educators. As a pedagogue and teacher, Dr. Scott serves as an advocate for inclusive and diverse music classrooms, adult music learners, and access to quality music instruction for all children. Her former students have become exemplary string educators, professional studio and symphony musicians, and passionate arts advocates. She is co-author of the books Mastery for Strings, Learning Together and From the Stage to the Studio: How Fine Performers Become Great Teachers.