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Violin Curriculum

 

Eastman Beginning Strings (EBS)

November 2011

The purpose of the EBS Violin Curriculum is to provide a systematic pedagogy for students under the age of eleven. Instruction is provided in the private studio setting with corresponding EBS ensemble/group classes. The program is divided into three levels and includes:

  • Standards and requirements, therefore establishing a strong foundation.
  • Scales for intonation, sound production and bow control.
  • Methods and Studies, to focus on specific technique.
  • Building basic repertoire to hone musical skills.

Our EBS faculty are encouraged to create their own teaching personalities while working within the suggested general guidelines.

 

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Level One 

Standards and Requirements

  • Establish good posture and physical coordination
  • Develop basic skills for correct pitch placement
  • The use of first position with different fingering patterns on each string
  • Bowing patterns on open strings, with simple rhythms, clear bow division, proper arm motion for detached strokes (detache), bowing near the bridge to produce a clear sound (sounding point), string crossings with single bows. 
  • Bow hand exercises to create flexibility
  • Pizzicato, colle, and martelé may be introduced

Examples of Scale Studies

  • Applebaum Scales for Strings

  • Whistler Elementary Scales and Bowings

  • Herfurth A Tune a Day Scale Book

Examples of Etudes/Studies

  • Applebaum String Builder Bk.1, 2

  • Applebaum First Position Etudes for Strings

  • Avsharian Mississippi Hot Dog Hoe Down

  • Avsharian Fun with Rhythm

  • Avsharian Fun with Basics

  • Doflein Violin Method Bk.1

  • Suzuki Bk. 1, 2

  • Whistler First Etude Album for Violin

  • Wohlfahrt op. 38 Easiest Elementary Method

Examples of Musical Repertoire

  • Applebaum Building Technics with Beautiful Music Bk. 1

  • Avsharian Songs for Little Players Series

  • Barber Solo Pieces for Young Players Bk. 1

  • Brown, JS Bach Ten Little Classics

  • Pracht Album of Easy Pieces op.12

  • Suzuki Bk.1,2.

 

Exam Requirements for Level One

Scale

  • One scale one-octave or two-octave, 1st position, either major or minor key. Memorization required.

Etude

  • One etude or one piece from Suzuki Book 1 or Book 2.

Repertoire

  • One solo piece or piece from Suzuki Book 1 or Book 2 (Must be different than the etude).  Memorization required.

 

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Level Two 

Standards and Requirements

  • Easy double stops in first position (open strings)

  • Basic vibrato motion

  • Simple harmonics

  • Simple shifting technique from first position to third position

  • Varied rhythmic patterns in scales, etudes and solos

  • Longer bow strokes

  • String crossings with detache, colle, martele, staccato and slurs

Examples of Scale Studies

  • Hrimaly Scale Studies

  • Sitt Scale Studies

  • Sevcik School of Violin Technics op.1 pt.1

  • Schradieck School of Violin Technics Bk.1

Examples of Etudes/Studies

  • Doflein Violin Method Bk.2,3

  • Kayser 36 Progressive Studies, op.20

  • Suzuki Bk.2,3

  • Trott Melodious Double Stops Bk.1

  • Wohlfahrt Foundation Studies Bk.1,2

  • Whistler Introducing the Positions Vol.1

  • Whistler Developing Double Stops

  • Whistler Preparing for Kreutzer Bk.1

Examples of Musical Repertoire

  • Applebaum Building Technics with Beautiful Music Bk.2
  • Applebaum String Festival Solos 1,2
  • Avsharian Fun with Solos
  • Barber Solos for Young Violinists Bk.2,3
  • Huber Concertino op.8
  • Kuchler Concertino in D op.15
  • Portnof Concertino op.13
  • Rieding Concertino op.21,34,35
  • Ruegger Concertante in G
  • Seitz No.2,5
  • Suzuki Bk.2,3,4

Exam Requirements for Level Two

Scale

  • One scale two-octaves, 1st to 3rd position, either major or minor key. Memorization required.

Etude

  • One etude or one piece from Suzuki Book 2, 3 or 4.

Repertoire

  • One solo piece or piece from Suzuki Book 2, 3 or 4 (Must be different than the etude).  Memorization required.

 

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LEVEL III

Standards and Requirement

  • Able to shift and play in the first three positions with ease
  • Begin the use of fourth and fifth position
  • Vibrato: good coordination of arm, wrist and fingers
  • Dynamics, good tone quality and musical expression
  • Ability to bow on the sounding point with good bow direction
  • Posture and body motions well balanced

Examples of Scale Studies

  • Flesch Scale System

  • Hrimaly Scale Studies

  • Sevcik School of violin Technics, op 1, Bk 1

  • Schradieck School of Violin Technics Bk 1

Examples of Etudes/Studies

  • Dont 24 Studies op.37

  • Kayser Studies op.20

  • Mazas Etudes Speciales Bk 1 op. 36

  • Polo Double Stops

  • Sitt Studies for Violin op 32 Pt.2

  • Trott Melodious Double Stops Bk 1 and Bk 2

  • Whistler Preparing for Kreutzer Bk 1

  • Whistler Introducing the Positions Volume 1 and 2

  • Whistler Developing Double Stops

Examples of Musical Repertoire

  • Accolay Concerto No.1 in A minor

  • Bach Concerto No. 1 in A minor (1st Mvt.)

  • Barber Solos for Young Violinists Volumes 3, 4

  • Dancla Airs Varie, op.89

  • Fiocco Allegro

  • Handel Sonatas

  • Haydn Concerto in G major (1st Mvt.)

  • Mlynarski Mazurka

  • Portnoff op.14

  • Severn Polish Dance

  • Vivaldi Concerto in A minor

  • Vivaldi Concerto in G minor

Exam Requirements for Level Three

Scale

  • Two scales in two-octaves, one major and one minor key with two or more pattern arpeggios, 1st to 3rd position and beyond. Memorization required.

Etude

  • One etude.

Repertoire

  • One piece.  Memorization required.

 

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Last updated: November 14, 2011

 

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