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MUSE 351

MUSE 351
STRING TECHNIQUES

Catalog Entry

MUSE 351. String Techniques

Two hours laboratory (1).

Corequisite: MUSE 300 or MUSE 400 – Field Experiences in Music

Development of skills, teaching strategies, and materials; knowledge of history and fundamentals of performing, teaching, and maintaining stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass) through classroom experiences, peer teaching, and field experiences.

 

Content 

  1. Introduction and General Information
    1. Parts of the Instruments and Bows
    2. Holding the Instruments and Bows
    3. Tightening and Rosining the Bow
    4. Sound Production and Tone Control
    5. Basic Bowing
    6. Tuning and Instruments
    7. Basic Instrument Maintenance
  2. Basic Techniques
    1. Right-hand
      1. Bow direction
      2. Bow speed and pressure
      3. Bow angle and placement
      4. Tone production
      5. Slur
      6. Hooked bow
    2. Left-hand
      1. Basic hand - arm - thumb position and angle
      2. Finger placement and relaxation
      3. Finger agility
  3. Intermediate Techniques
    1. Positions and Principles of Shifting
    2. Bowing Techniques, Scales and Arpeggios
    3. Double Stops, Chords and Arpeggios
    4. Harmonics: Natural and Artificial
    5. Vibrato
    6. Bowing Conventions and General Principles of Fingerings
  4. Teaching Skills
    1. Modeling, diagnosing, prescribing
    2. Peer Teaching 
      1. Lesson Plans
      2. Delivery
      3. Assessment
      4. Reflection
  5. Literature Evaluation
    1. Beginning Method Books
    2. Ensemble Repertoire

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Following an initial presentation of basic information this course is conducted as a learning laboratory with students involved with hands-on experience with the basic skills of string instrument performance techniques. Each student will develop basic performing skills on at least one bowed string instrument and engage in lesson planning, peer teaching, assessment, and reflection for beginning strings instruction.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At the conclusion of the course, the student will: 

  1. 1. demonstrate or describe correct assembly techniques, hand position, body posture, body-instrument relationship, tone production, and fingerings for violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
  2. perform on at least one bowed string instrument at an basic level with one semester of instruction, which includes playing the following scales on two instruments each semester:
    1. Violin
      1. D scale---D4 to FD6
      2. G scale---G3 to G5
    2. Viola
      1. D scale---D4 to D6
      2. G scale---G3 to G5
      3. C Scale---C3 to C5
    3. Cello
      1. D scale---D3 to D5
      2. G scale---G2 to G4
      3. C Scale---C2 to C4
    4. Double Bass
      1. D scale---D2 to D4
      2. A scale---A1 to A2
      3. E Scale---E1 to E2
  3. discuss and demonstrate the intonation tendencies of the basic bowed stringed instruments
  4. diagnose problems and prescribe possible solutions for common errors with string hand position, technique, tone production, fingerings, intonation, body posture, and body-instrument relationships
  5. perform basic/emergency stringed instrument repairs
  6. describe techniques for producing vibrato on each stringed instrument
  7. demonstrate growth in teaching skills
  8. articulate advantages and disadvantages of using selected method books for elementary strings instruction
  9. examine string orchestra music literature in a wide range of genres, styles, historical periods, and cultures (Western and non-Western) appropriate for use in school instrumental programs at beginning and intermediate levels.
  10. address state and national standards through lesson planning and instruction. 

 

Assessment Measures

  1. Playing tests which demonstrate:
    1. tone
    2. fingerings
    3. articulation
    4. bowing styles.
  2. Written tests on:
    1. instrument basics
    2. basic repairs
    3. beginning rehearsal/lesson planning
  3. Lesson plan rubrics
  4. Lesson Delivery Rubrics

 

Other Course Information

None

 

Review and Approval

February, 2021

January, 2022

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