This page is dedicated to creating a comprehensive overview of the method books available to string players of every instrument and string teachers! Please visit the webpages dedicated to Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass method books and repertoire for more specialized lists. This is a work in process, and as new method books are published, I hope to continue to add to the list. Please e-mail me if you find any method books that have been left off!
Some recommended places to buy these method books are: Shar Music Online and Amazon, and of course on the publishing company's own website.
♫ Comprehensive Method Book/Repertoire List ♫
*Most books on this list would be used for beginning orchestras, however many of the method books have a continuing series that builds upon foundational techniques to more advanced skills.
Method Books for All Strings:
· Sound Innovations (2010)-by Bob Phillips, Peter Boonshaft, and Robert Sheldon
· Mark O’Conner Method Books (2009)-by Mark O’Conner, published by M&M Distribution. This method is still developing but is available to all strings.
· New Directions for Strings (2007)-by Joanne Erwin, Kathleen Horvath, Robert D. McCashin, and Brenda Mitchell, published by The FJH Music Company Inc.
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
· Orchestra Expressions (2004)-by Kathleen DeBerry Brungard, Michael Alexander, Gerald Anderson, and Sandra Dackow, published by Alfred Publishing Co.
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
· Essential Elements 2000 for Strings (2002)-by Michael Allen, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes, Robert Gillespie, and John Higgins, published by Hal Leonard Co.
-Books 1, 2, and 3 for all strings: This method book series is an upgraded and more “modern” version of Essential Elements and is a very popular method book in public school string classes.
· String Explorer (2002)-by Bob Phillips, Andrew Dabczynski, and Richard Meyer, published by Alfred Publishing Co.
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
· Strings Extraordinaire! (1999)-by Deborah Baker Monday and Janice McAllister, published by Kjos Music Co.
· Viva Vibrato! (1997)-by Gerald F. Fischbach and Robert S. Frost, published by Neil A. Kjos Music Co.
· Essential Elements for Strings (1994)-by Michael Allen, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes, and John Higgins, published by Hal Leonard Co.
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
-Other books in the series: Essential Technique for Strings (all strings) and Advanced Techniques for Strings (all strings)
· Strictly Strings (1992)-by Jacquelyn Dillon, John O’Reilly, James Kjelland-Alfred Publishing Co.
-Three levels: Books 1, 2, and 3 for all strings
· Solo Time for Strings (1990)-by Forest Etling, published by Highland/Etling Publishers
· Concert Tunes for Beginning Strings and Concert Tunes for Intermediate Strings (1990)-by Dale Brubaker, published by JLJ Publishing
· The String Play: The Drama of Playing and Teaching Strings (1986)-by Phyllis Young, published by University of Texas Press
· Young Strings in Action (1985)-by Paul Rolland and Sheila Johnson, published by Boosey & Hawkes
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
· All for Strings, A comprehensive string method (1985)-by Gerald Anderson, Robert S. Frost, published by Neil A. Kjos Music Co.
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
·Etling String Class Method (1976)-by Forest Etling, published by Alfred Publishing Co.
· Applebaum String Method (1972)-by Samuel Applebaum, published by Belwin Mills
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
· Prelude to String Playing (1971)-by Paul Rolland, published by Boosey & Hawkes
· Suzuki Method Books, created by Shinichi Suzuki, published by Alfred Music Publishing Co. This method originated in 1970 with the violin method books and became a popular teaching method throughout the later half of the 20th century. The method was expanded to other string instruments, and also others such as piano, flute, and voice. The method books continue to evolve even to this day, especially the bass books.
-Violin: Books 1-10: Books become progressively more advanced, with book 10 being the most advanced. Compiled by Shinichi Suzuki
-Viola: Pieces compiled by Doris Preucil, Books 1-8
-Cello: Books 1-10
-Bass: Books 1-4
· Learn to Play a Stringed Instrument! (1970)-by Ralph Matesky and Ardelle Womack, published by Alfred Music Co.
· Breeze-Easy Method for Strings (1962)-by Herman Dilmore, published by M. Witmark
· Müller Rusch String Method (1961)-by J. Frederick Müller and Harold W. Rusch, published by Neil A. Kjos Co.
-Books 1, 2, and 3 for all strings
· String Builder (1960)-by Samuel Applebaum, published by Belwin Mills
-Books 1 and 2 for all strings
· Waller String Class Method (1941)-by Gilbert R. Waller, published by Neil A. Kjos Music Co.
· String Class Method (1940)-by Merle Issac, published by M.M. Cole Publishing Co.
· Beginning Strings (1939)-by Harvey Whistler, published by Carl Fischer, Inc.
· Merle Issac String Class Method (1938)-by Merle Issac, published by M.M. Cole Publishing Co.
· A Tune A Day (1933)-by Paul C. Herfurth, published by The Boston Music Co.
