Posted by Christine on December 11, 2007 at 13:55:19:
Friends, I am one of those band directors teaching orchestra. My first instrument was actually violin, but we moved to a state that did not have a strong string tradition (especially in the rural area I was in) so I became a flutist. I have no problems teaching strings and really do enjoy the string repertoire and sound.
Here's the challenge, I had to start a string orchestra at my current school and have a very WIDE range of abilities in a very small number of students. (Yes, I use peer teaching where I can.) I am looking for recommendations on string pedagogy books (perhaps college texts?) as well as some basic string guides. (Including maintenance...pegs, sound posts, bridges...this week they are all bad words!)
In my group everyone has basic posture, hand position, bow holds. Most have a basic understanding of note reading and finger placement in keys with up to 3 sharps or flats. (Although they are not really fluent...naturals and flats really throw them for a loop.) A few have started vibrato with private instructors, and only one has strong knowledge of shifting and playing in general.
I feel like to move forward they all (except for the one advanced student) need to build a stronger pitch center. I know they need to sing...anyone ever gotten 10 strongly reluctant high school kids to sing? My band sings all the time, but it's like pulling teeth (without the painkillers) to get the strings to sing. Suggestions to get them singing? I'd also like to use more technical scales and arpeggios, but need direction on how to create pedagogically appropriate full group exercises. (We have a couple of books that I just haven't been able to make work yet).
I also need to work tone quality with them. One plays really loud and stridently, another can barely be heard but she is really accurate, and one has an instrument that I would simply like to use for kindling. I'd like them to simply create a full sound from their instrument...really just get a good, resonant sound. (I think this would also help with the pitch as well.)
Once I get those two areas more solid I think I can go on to shifting and vibrato, but I don't even want to think about vibrato before I get pitch taken care of. Since I am one director for 12 ensembles (and no assistant director) my time is very limited. I'd like to find some written material that I can read in those moments between everything else.
Also, any advice on what to tackle first and how would be great.