AMERICAN STRING TEACHER February 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 1 • Sight-Reading Success for the String Orchestra • Improving Intonation with Tambura Drones • Exploring Pre-Bowing Exercises • Achieving an Artistic Violin Vibrato . and more! Join us for a sensational evening concert featuring Paul Kowert, Berklee's World of Strings, Alison Brown, and Darol Anger at the 2014 ASTA National Conference! American String Teachers Association www.astaweb.com 4 | American String Teacher | February 2014 AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS February 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 1 Features Sight-Reading Success for the String Orchestra 22 There is no such thing as luck when it comes to successfully sight-reading music. Any ensemble can be prepared to execute accurate notes and rhythms, produce quality tone and pitch, demonstrate phrasing and dynamics, and ultimately deliver a polished performance with appropriate style and interpretation with only six or seven minutes of preparation. by Teresa Maclin Improving Intonation with Tambura Drones: 26 Hearing While Playing A crucial yet elusive aspect of playing a string instrument is the ability to play in tune. Music students possess a deep-seated recognition of the correct pitches of the notes of major and minor scales, a sensitivity gained by being surrounded with western tonal music from birth. It is an interesting phenomenon that many music students can easily recognize when others play out of tune, yet have difficulty recognizing their own inaccuracies. by Paul Erhard Exploring Pre-Bowing Exercises: The Search for a 34 Definition and its Application One of the most challenging aspects of teaching beginner-level strings is determining how to introduce students to the bow. If presented too early, students struggle to maintain correct body position, left-hand position and bow-hand shape simultaneously. by Jacob Dakon Bass Forum 38 The “Block” Approach: Expanded Arpeggios for Jazz Improvisation In a previous Bass Forum for ASTA, I presented a system for creating logical fingerings for triadic arpeggios. The concept was that simple three- or four-note “blocks” could be stacked to create two octave triadic major and minor arpeggios. In this article I expand on this system, demonstrating how the same simple shapes can be stacked in different ways to create 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th arpeggios. by Craig Butterfield Achieving an Artistic Violin Vibrato: Applications 44 of Research to the Classroom Vibrato is an essential musical element in string instrument playing that enhances and facilitates expressive performance. However, the acquisition of a beautiful vibrato remains one of the most difficult skills for a young string player to obtain and for instructors to teach. There are many reasons that vibrato is a difficult skill to master. by Rebecca B. MacLeod www.astaweb.com | 5 AMERICAN STRING TEACHER CONTENTS February 2014 | Volume 64 | Number 1 Columns Special Inspirations 52 Tossing Eclectic Strings 8 by Donna Sizemore Hale into the National Ring by Elizabeth Fortune Message from the President 12 by Bob Phillips 56 Institutional Directory K-12 Teaching Tips 60 Summer Conferences Teaching String Students to Play In Tune 2014 ASTA National 92 by Chris Selby 65 Conference Studio Teaching Tips Five Myths of Baroque String Playing 94 by Elizabeth Field Mission Statement The American String Teachers Association promotes excellence in string and orches- tra teaching and playing. ASTA pursues its mission through: • an open sharing of ideas; • benefits, services, and activities respon- sive to the needs of all members; • development of strong state leadership Departments and chapters; • enhancing the image and visibility of Association News string teaching and study; Award and grant announcements, new • advocacy for string education; and • an inclusive community of string teachers 14 publications, and other association-related and players. information American String Teacher (ISSN: 0003-1313) is published quarterly by the American Notes String Teachers Association (ASTA). 4155 News of people, places, and events of interest Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. 76 to string teachers and players Periodicals postage paid at Fairfax, VA and additional mailing offices. American String Teacher (AST) is available exclusively Showcase to ASTA members; the annual subscription The latest news from members of the price is included in membership dues ($107). 82 String Industry Council POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: American String Teacher, 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. Reviews Of books, music, and software POLICY: As the primary means of profes- 84 sional communication of ASTA, the Ameri- can String Teacher represents and reflects the mission of the association. It is not the intention of AST to promote or endorse any particular person or commercial prod- uct. The ideas and opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of ASTA or AST. ASTA reserves the Every Issue right to refuse advertising for any reason. Membership Application No article or editorial matter in AST may 78 be photocopied or reprinted without 80 Volunteer Leadership Directory written permission from ASTA. Visit www. 96 Advertisers’ Index copyright.com for more information. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American String Teacher Journal, 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. © 2014 by American String Teachers Association. 6 | American String Teacher | November 2013 www.astaweb.com | 7 Inspirations by Donna Sizemore Hale ASTA Board of Directors President • Bob Phillips 17175 Burkshire Dr. Make a Difference–Join ASTA Grand Haven, MI 49417 [email protected] President-Elect • Stephen Benham Duquesne University Within the association world, much has been written about the decline Mary Pappert School of Music in both membership and involvement in professional associations. With 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15282 [email protected] information available in the blink of an eye, many people feel they no Past President • Kirk Moss longer need the collegiality of associations. They say they are too busy 912 S. Kernan Ave., Appleton, WI 54915 [email protected] and can get what they need for professional growth in other ways. This is Secretary • Rebecca MacLeod especially true for the younger generation who would rather email than UNCG School of Music, PO Box 26170 Greensboro, NC 27402 call and rather text than visit. [email protected] This is a trend we all should work hard to reverse and a dangerous Member-at-Large • Deb Perkins myth that threatens the future of every profession, especially the arts. 4825 N Meadow Ridge Circle, McKinney, TX 75070 [email protected] Some of you may already be thinking that “threat” is an awfully powerful Member-at-Large • Joseph Conyers word for this situation. Surely a teacher can go to their class or studio 1420 Locust St., #26G, Philadelphia, PA 19102 [email protected] each day and adequately help players become great musicians without Member-at-Large • Jim Palmer ever attending a conference, reading a professional journal, or being 2041 Signal Ridge Chase, Kennesaw, GA 30152 [email protected] involved in a committee. After all, the Internet is the ultimate resource. Member-at-Large • Natalie Colbert The key here lies in how much any professional wants to strive to be 3947 N Stratford Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 better, contribute to their profession, and make a difference. [email protected] String Industry Council President To achieve excellence. To make your chosen profession more vibrant • Haig Avsharian SHAR Music and stronger. To make a difference by protecting music and the arts for 2465 S Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 [email protected] future generations. These goals only can be achieved by being part of Publications Chair • Judy Palac something larger than yourself. That's what association membership Michigan State University, 203 Music Practice Building 345 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824 offers. It's something we all need from the moment we choose our life's [email protected] work literally, until we leave this world. John Donne said it well: "No Executive Director • Donna Sizemore Hale man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a ASTA National Office 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 part of the main." What we do together as colleagues is what makes our [email protected] work more far reaching. Anyone of us who chooses to not share the best American String Teacher of themselves changes the whole dynamic. As Donne said: "Because I am Editor • Mary Jane Dye involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the Critical Articles Editor • Mary Wagner Reviews Editor • Marg Schmidt bells toll; it tolls for thee." Design and Layout • Sky Henderson Advertising Representative • Steve Wafalosky When we all come together at an event, like the national conference, something magical happens. The best energy, creativity, and ideas of each • Correspondence Subscriptions, change of address (send mailing label), individual issues, of us come together to create the perfect storm. The storm can manifest billing, membership, and other business matters should be directed to the ASTA National Office, itself in countless ways. Perhaps, this coming together gives you or one 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; tel. 703-279-2113; FAX 703-279-2114; Email: of your colleagues a renewed passion for string education. Or maybe, [email protected]. • Advertising Deadlines are: August issue—June a marvelous idea comes forth for a new publication. That is how the 5; November issue—September 5; February issue—December 5; May issue—March 5. Inqui- ASTA String Curriculum was born—the inspired thinking of a group of ries should be directed to ASTA National Office, 4155 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030; amazing teachers. tel. 703-279-2113; FAX 703-279-2114; Email: [email protected]. • Editorial AST welcomes letters and articles from its readers. Query letters are preferred over unsolicited manuscripts. For a copy of the AST Au- thor Guidelines, visit www.astaweb.com.