The Maestro shows how to turn tricks into tunes

This set of tutors is designed for teaching mixed string instruments in groups. It is a systematic program developed over many years from many years experience teaching strings in schools.

The tutors are aimed at the primary and lower secondary school age group but are also suitable for older beginners.

The children learn ‘tricks’ for their fingers or bows, which are fun when done in a group. Reading skills are developed at the same time.

Each page represents a small step in musical and technical development based on reading music from the very first lessons. Theory homework is included at the end of most sections, providing the complete theory required as children progress.

The tutors for each instrument are identical in content except where differences are required to accommodate the different instruments.

Books 1 & 2 of the series are each intended to cover one year of group tuition, based on a school year of 40 weeks. Book 3 provides material for two years. Progress will vary according to the age of the children, the size of the group and the extent of their previous musical experience.

Additional repertoire at the end of the books provides:

• extension work for pupils who reach the end of the book before the rest of the group
• additional work for those who want it
• end of year concert pieces

These tutors make playing music fun, as it should be!

Book 2 starts with the introduction of the notes on the G string. Next come sections on bowing starting with simple slurs, then cross string slurs, uneven bow distribution and stopped slurs. No new notes are introduced while slurs are being mastered allowing the pupil to learn one new concept at a time.

F and C natural and the scale of C major are introduced followed by the notes on the E string (violin) and C string (violas and cellos). The book also covers dotted rhythms and 6/8 time.