The instrumental pedagogy generally and violin pedagogy particularly have been modeled on the private lesson concept of one-on-one teaching style originating from the 18th century’s “master” model, which developed in the 19th century into the institutional form of “conservatories” model, teaching students individually. Still in the 19th century, the model of group and class

teaching of different instruments started to be developed in the United Kingdom and the United States, especially within public schools, beside other places in the world. This concept found its way next to the traditional individual teaching methods in the 20th century, but still dominated by the one-on-one concept, which has been seen as a “better” teaching method that produces performers of higher standards than the “mass products” of group teaching. Between the both sides there was another direction of incorporating group lessons with individual teaching, getting together the best of both sides. This concept is growing wider within the teachers of the 21st century and receiving more recognition with its positive aspects and results. 

This site is giving a brief history of group violin teaching and teaching through ensemble playing, putting a light on its different pedagogues and methods in the world. Then it’s taking Indiana University String Academy founder, director, and violin professor Mimi Zweig as a case study, through observing and analyzing her group teaching, as it’s an important element of her teaching method which synthesizes many aspects of different pedagogues and philosophies with her own ideas, balancing between individual and group instruction.