The players sing, pizzicato, air-bow and play a theme from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
Here the players demonstrate a simple vamp and then the violinist improvises over that phrase. Then the players perform a more developed version of improvising on a basic progression.
This is a useful tool in rehearsal with students. Through the example of a theme taken from The Moldau by Smetana the players discuss possible visual ideas to help with performing more expressively.
In another performance of the same theme from The Moldau by Smetana the players demonstrate body motion to reflect the phrasing of the music. Often young players do not understand what a teacher means by ‘move freely’ and this example can show that motion.
Partner work is fun in string class. Here one player fingers their instrument while the other bows a simple one-string tune.
Teachers might consider using duets for a playing test as it helps to have a sense of pitch comparison and ensemble playing.
The use of an open string to relate your fingered pitch is demonstrated in a scale and a double stop exercise. Open strings are very helpful to check tuning either of your octave hand shape or of a fingered pitch.
Students can enter the world of composition by considering how to alter a tune to come up with their own variation.