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Frequently Asked Questions (Answered by the Authors!) Q: I'm not a string player, but I've recently
been assigned to teach strings. Will this book help me? Q: I'm not a string player, but I've recently been assigned to teach strings. Will this book help me? A: Absolutely! Recognizing the
current lack of trained string teachers, String Explorer
is developed to be 100% teacher-friendly. It is completely accessible
to teachers who are non-string players or those new to the profession,
yet logical, flexible, and comprehensive enough for veteran teachers
and string majors to use. Q: We're under the gun in my district to teach National and State music standards. Will this book help me? A: Yes. Designed to reflect the
National Standards for Arts Education, String Explorer teaches
comprehensive musicianship as one of its chief principles. Developmentally
organized and sequential exercises in theory, ear training, composition,
improvisation, and world music make up the book's Activity Pages.
History Highlights add interesting and fun facts to pieces throughout
the book, and at least one exercise in every unit involves singing
with either words or solfege. The Teacher’s Guide expands on these
features and also includes ideas for inter-disciplinary thematic
integration. In this way, String Explorer is entirely aligned
with the National Standards. Q: Doesn't this book move awfully fast!? A: Extensive field studies and a remarkable number of reports from teachers using the book demonstrate that students learn to read faster with String Explorer than with other commonly used methods. The beginning unit is a rote-oriented aural-response section that prepares students for the following units of reading by rhythm and note name recognition. Note reading is later presented in a sequential process that reflects the best practice and current learning theory. (Teachers who prefer to begin immediately with note reading may simply start at unit 5.) String Explorer is organized into 14 identically
structured units of equal length with clearly stated instructional
objectives. Right-hand skills are introduced in Ready, Set, Bow
sections independently from left-hand skills, which are introduced
in Finger Tips sections. Each new right-hand skill uses only previously
learned left-hand concepts, and vice versa. After the new concepts
are carefully and thoroughly introduced, they are combined in
a series of interesting and motivational tunes called Putting
It Together. Furthermore, each unit contains at least one exercise
that is designated as an assessment tune, allowing students to
demonstrate proficiency as each new skill is mastered. Using a
motivational assessment chart “Treasure Map,” students can mark
their own progress as they complete the assessment pieces. This
built-in reward system contrasts with other method books in which
assessments are randomly placed and unclear as to the exact skills
intended to be measured. String Explorer students may not turn
pages as fast, but when they do turn a page, they will have accomplished
a lot more! Q: Does a free CD come with the book? A: String Explorer has
a free interactive CD with a combination of acoustic recorded
accompaniment tracks and MIDI accompaniments in various styles.
Click here to download. Q: What grade level is this book designed for? A: String Explorer has
been field tested and proven successful for students in grades
1 through 8 in a variety of schedules. Its logical separation
of skills for the right and left hands insures student success
at any age level. Q: What other supplementary materials are available? A: Click here for a complete listing of String Explorer Products!
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