Survey of Instrumental Technique - Strings

Scope and Sequence

Monday String Week 1

·  History of string instruments

o   Lyres of Ur, precursor to Lute

o   Introduction of the bow

o   String instrument makers

§  Andrea Amati 1505/1577

§  Antonio Stradivari (Stradivarius) – 1644/1737

§  Guarneri del Gesu – 1698/1744

o   Cello da gamba (bass line)

Wednesday String Week 1

·  The orchestra string instruments (violin, viola, cello bass, harp – piano)

·  The different strings and tuning (scordatura)

·  Range of string instruments

·  Understanding fingering on all string instruments

·  Tone production on string instruments

Monday String Week 2

·  Important terminologies to know for working with string instruments

·  Bowing terminologies

·  Pizzicato effects

·  Extended techniques and other effects

Wednesday String Week 2

·  Understanding positions on string instruments

Monday String Week 3

·  Natural and artificial harmonics

·  Q&A – Review

Wednesday String Week 3 – Final Review: Written Final

Important String Literature to know

·      Pachelbel – Canon for String

·      Vivaldi – Four Seasons

·      Bach – Brandenburg Concerto #3 in G

·      Mozart – Serenade for Strings (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)

·  Tchaikovsky – Serenade for Strings

·  Shostakovich – Chamber Symphony Op. 110a

·  Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis