These String Warm Ups are preparatory exercises that lead up to Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician, published by GIA in 2017. There are two levels--beginning (difficulty level/grade I) and intermediate (II). Each level has components for teaching bowing, intonation, and scales to children at each level. After String Warm Ups 2, students will be better prepared for the Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician, which has a rich collection of bowing etudes, finger pattern studies, shifting exercises, scales and arpeggios, and much more.
The Bowing Variations are a collection of common rhythms and bow styles found in student music of each level. After learning a new rhythm, students can review the rhythm in canon or in combination with other rhythms, making the review more fun and meaningful. The Variations are an effective tool for improving rhythm, ensemble skills, tone quality, bow management, and the clarity and definition of stylistic articulations.
The Tetrachord Etude is a short technical study that allows the teacher to focus on finger patterns, one at a time, to better perfect student intonation. It is designed to be used in three different ways, and when used in combination, these three strategies make the Tetrachord Etude extremely effective for improving intonation.
1. Introduce a new finger pattern. Students can learn a new finger pattern and immediately apply it to an etude. By learning one tune/etude, and performing it with different finger patterns, the students learn the unique sound and feel of each pattern.
2. As a daily warm up, the Tetrachord Etude may be used to review ALL of the different finger patterns more efficiently and effectively than scales do. It was carefully written to allow students of every string instrument to simultaneously review finger patterns (and shifting patterns) unique to their instrument.
3. As a tool within a musical rehearsal, the teacher can use the TE to quickly review the problematic finger pattern, so they can better transfer these skills to their music.
The Scales are leveled and conveniently written in one location. Alternative fingerings and octaves are included which allow students of different ability levels to perform together.