Belwin Course for Strings A STRING CLASS METHOD (for Class or Individvel Instruction) IN THREE BOOKS By SAMUEL APPLEBAUM Published for IU BASS viola PANO ACC ceucs TEACHER'S raaestiaVIOLIN THE BELWIN STRING BUILDER Baok!One: By Samuel Applebaum FOREWORD ‘The Belwin String Builder is a string class Method in which the Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass play together throughout. Each book, however, is a complete unit and may be used separately for class or individual instruction. In this Method, the quarter note approach is adopted not only because it is the unit of the beat, but because it encourages freedom of the bow arm at the outset. Starting from No. 15, the open string melodies and those that introduce the first finger serve as an accompaniment to well-known folk songs which are written for the piano. This provides musical purpose to the melodies and stimulates rhythmic interest. A small “p” after the number indicates that there is @ piano. part for that melody. Alter the first finger, F# and C# are introduced. This has proven to be most practicable {rom the standpoint of tonality and left hand finger placement. From this point on, the student plays the actual melodies. However, on Page 20, F natural and C natural are presented to develop intonation and to ‘more readily prepare the pupil for the school orchestra. ‘The material in this book is realistically graded so that only a minimum of explanatory material is required. Each melody is interesting and will provide the basis for a fine left hand technic and bow arm, ‘TECHNICAL PROGRESSION Page Picture of the Violin and the Bow 2 ‘The Two Middle Strings—Quarter Notes... ‘ 3 ‘The Two Outer Strings 4 ‘The Open Strings With Half Notes 5 Whole Notes 6 ‘More Melodies With Open Strings 7 ‘A New Tone—The First Finger On The D String . 8 More Melodies With The First Finger On The D String cnonencienetiie A New Tone—The First Finger On The A String 10 ‘A Higher ‘Tone—The Second Finger On The D String... soneace ou ‘A Higher Tone On The A String—The Second Finger 1.0.0.0... 00. : 12 More Melodies With The First and Second Fingers - B ‘The Third Finger On The D String 1s ‘The Third Finger On The A String |. PIs Beautiful Melodies With The First, Second and Third Fingers 16 Playing Two Notes In The Same Bow Stroke 7 A New Low Tone—The First Finger On The G String . 1.21... 8 ‘The Second and Third Fingers On TheG String ......0.0. 2... sss. Sag ‘The Second Finger—When It Is Not Sharped se 20 Playing’Three Notes In The Same Bow Stroke |. sss... ssa. : ciecevt ah A New High Tone—The First Finger On The E String . 2 ‘The Second and Third Fingers On The E String ........-. 0.0... ee 28 ‘The First Finger On E—When It Is Not Sharped 24 Playing Beautiful Melodies With Dynamics S25, Strengthening The Fourth Finger—Left Hand Pizzicato 136 We Ate Now Ready To Use The Fourth Finger : n Melodies Using All'The Fingers : renee Building A Major Scale ae 2» ighth Notes seats egvemnagcceeseas 00 ighth Notes Combined With Quarier Notes a 31 Lively Melodies With Eighth Notes \ . eee) © Copyright 1960 by BELWIN, Inc. fo CPP/BELIIN, INC, Nam, lida 39014 lista Ante rdee BargesTo the Student: This Method Book is the basic text for the BELWIN COURSE FOR STRINGS which is the FIRST carefully planned complete curriculum for string development. To get the most enjoyment from your string instrument activities and to assure a good mastery of musical fundamentals, what you learn in the Method Book should be applied to the playing of Solos, Ensembles, and String Orchestra pieces as your skill increases. ‘This course includes these Solos, Ensembles, and String Orchestra Piece: this Method Book, these supplementary projects ai ability. Itis strongly recommended that these numbers be pre On various pages in Suggested in accord with your developing musical ‘ed as the various pages are reached, Material Correlated with String Builder Book 1 Technic Book seas eeeesee eee ee es fOr Page 16 EARLY FTUDES FOR STRINGS ..... starting on Page 10 iy ean Bot Program Book SALE OARS WALT for Page 21 FIRST PROGRAM FOR STRINGS starting on Page ‘by Johann Straus Sena POR ST ON . % uge 12 2, KISS MP AGAIN eves for Page 30 Ensemble Book DUETS FOR STRINGS « . by Victor ie starting on Page 16 © Copyright 1960 by BELWD, the. ‘All Rights Reserved €/0 CPP /BELWN, ING, Mian, loa 39014THE TWO MIDDLE STRINGS Draw the bow straight out without touching two strings. 1h -- means down-bow. Start playing at the frog or the bottom of the bow. Vy “= means up-bow. Start playing at the tip. ‘These are quarter notes. Each note receives one count, The D String The A String The D and A Strings © copyright 1960 by BELWIN, Ine. ‘All Rights Reserved E.L.1544 £10 CPP/BELYN, INC. Mam, Fla 39014THE TWO OUTER STRINGS The G String The G is the lowest string. Raise your right arm. 4 Three Strings High arm abitlower still lower 5 Starting on A The E String The E is the highest string. Lower your right arm close to the body. ny 6 Each String Twice ny, n 7 The Other Way n E.L.1544THE OPEN STRINGS WITH HALF NOTES These are half notes (dd). Bach note receives two counts. Move the bow a bit slower for the half notes. are called the ) 4 ~ ‘The bottom number tells us a quarter note receives one count. heae members {i ~ The top number tolls us there are 4 counts to each measure. Time Signature The bars | | divide the staff into measures. The D String 8 Count 12 34 The A String mov A The G String fn n BA The E String n Playing with our Teacher A down or up-bow is placed in the middle of each line to serve as a starting or stopping measure. n § 5 a +S S cpentatring Ut finger 0 n A ‘ ° In Space Student n F. MAZAS 6 Teacher Our Theme Song a GERMAN FOLK SONG 27P 3 t Etude 2B A Funny Thing n n ont The First Finger Game on D a n fn ‘TRADITIONAL ap E.L.1544MORE MELODIES WITH THE FIRST FINGER ON THE D STRING Giant Steps A Falling Star Dn The Crunchy Cookies Student a a Teacher Our First Stunt Keeping a finger down while you play another open string. 32 42 Keep the Ist finger down on D until the end of this line. Playful Puppies A 33 Bobbie Shafto NURSERY RHYME, no Skip to My Lou ‘TRADITIONAL E.L. 154410 cpa A NEW TONE oe yu The First Finger on the A String ee Lacey (It is called B) tnches It.sounds a whole step higher than the open string. Place the 1st finger about 1 or 1 1/4 inches from the nut depending upon the size of the Violin. Ist finger ‘Memorize the sound of the open A and the Ist finger. Student The Tired Camel P.MAZAS 37 TF Our Theme Song (on the A String) n A 1, GERMAN FOLK SONG 3BP = = TheFirst Finger Game on A n a ‘TRADITIONAL 3gP Pah Baa! Baa! Black Sheep a NURSERY RHYME 40 z Now It’s Easy A i A 41 early Etudes For Strings’? by Samuel Applebaum. ‘These in- ‘The class may now start the “ teresting etudes with piano accompaniment will help todeveloplefthand technic and the bow arm. E.L.1844ul A HIGHER TONE The Second Finger on the D String (It is called F8) When there {s a sharp before F. itis called Ff. F sharp is a whole step from the Ist finger E. Place the 2nd finger about 1 or 11/8 inches from the 1st finger. When you play the 2nd finger the 1st must remain on the string. about lor 1 1/4 about lor 11/8 inches The Ft Finger Game aR, a 43P At A Party 44 Mary Had A Little Lamb Place the 1st finger down before you start. y ‘TRADETIONAL 45P = me oR SKIPPING FROM THE OPEN STRING TO THE 2ND FINGER Place the 1st finger down with the 2nd finger. Student Skip a Step PF. WOHLFAHRT 46 ‘Tesohor Cock-a-Doodle-Doo! A NURSERY RHYME 47P = 3 ROTE PROJECT: The class may now learn to play the open strings in various rhythms by rote - quarter notes, eighths, and triplets. Hum or sing the rhythms before playing. Play above the middle starting about 2 inches below the middle of the bow. Use only the lower arm from the elbow. E.L.1544A HIGHER TONE ON THE A STRING The Second Finger on A (It is called C#) When there is a sharp before C, itisealled C#. C sharp is a whole step from the Ist finger B. Place the 2nd finger about 1 or 11/8 Inches from the 1st finger. When you play the 2nd finger the 1st must remain on the string. Second in Line FRENCH FOLK SONG 49? — . The Ct Finger Game! ‘TRADITIONAL 50? roa The Finger Mixer n fn 51 2 The Family Gathering n Student Teacher =F A Happy Firefly 1 RUSSIAN DANCE 53P ‘The class will now become a string orchestra. Start the ‘First Program For Strings" by Samuel Applebaum. This is a collection of 28 well known string orchestra pieces to be used for corzerts and assembly programs. E.L.s4eMORE MELODIES WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND FINGERS THEME (New World Symphony) n a A. DVORAK Merrily We Roll Along v ‘TRADITIONAL 24 22. Gaily the Troubadour 1 a ‘TRADITIONAL 56 P A Chinese Garden n n F. WOHLFAHRT Student 57 Teacher —~ ON A Finger Mixer n y, 58 A String Mixer n on oe To oe fe ee Au Claire De La Lune n n FRENCH FOLK SONG 59? ELL. 15444 THE THIRD FINGER ON THE D STRING (It is called G) ‘The 3rd finger G is a half step from the 2nd finger F#. Place the Srd finger close to the 2nd finger. ‘When this mark \~ connects two notes, It is a reminder that they are a half step apart. ‘The 1st and 2nd fingers must remainonthe string when you play the 3rd finger. n Melody on D n Jumping Beans n n 61 Off to School eres dlgit panes ivash comme (9) win tab r0mnatehig ea 1h: 7 . F. WORLPAHRT 82 Our Theme Song - Lightly Row . sy GERMAN FOLK SONG 63” —— ROTE PROJECT: Thistetrachord or 2% finger pattern with the 2nd and Srd fingers ahalf step apart may now be played on all strings in various rhythms, Hum or sing this pattern before playing. 1.1544THE THIRD FINGER ON THE A STRING (It is called D) ‘The Srd finger D is a half step from the 2nd finger C¥. Place the 3rd finger close to the 2nd finger. Melody on A student py The Space Ship, ¥. WooLPANET 65 ‘Teacher SS ~ The Pet Shop n rn 66 ms The Cuckoo, 67 a > 3 Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star OLD FRENCH SONG oon Each student may now play duets with another Violin or witha Viola, Cello, or Bass. In “Ducts For Strings”” by Samuel Applebaum we have 26 lovely duets. Each student may now play his first Violin solowith piano accompaniment for demonstration programs. It is called“In May” by Franz Behr, E.L.154416 BEAUTIFUL MELODIES WITH THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD FINGERS Now We Will Dance A on GERMAN DANCE SONG ‘TRADITIONAL London Bridge is Falling Down ¥ 70? Old MacDonald Had A Farm TRADITIONAL a A Thanksgiving Song n ENGLISH FOLK SONG me - 73 An Octave Apart When two notes have the same name and are eight notes apart, they are called an octave. n n 13 Student Sea Shells F, WOHLFAHRT 14 Vreacter ROTE PROJECT: The pupils may now learn the D Major scale. The class should hum or sing the scale before playing. E.L.15447 PLAYING TWO NOTES IN THE SAME BOW STROKE When a curved line (~) conneets two notes that are alike, it is called a Tie. Both notes are played {in the same bow stroke and counted as one note. The Tie 1 Gesep reer error eieraea We play the same melody again. The dot after the half note adds one half of its value. ‘The dotted half note will now receive three counts. Both lines will sound the same. The Same Melody ee fn tee t t 22 ‘When a curved line connects two or more notes that are different, it is called.a slur. Play these notes in the same bow stroke. The Slur n A 16 Smooth Sailing F. WOHLFAHRT 7 Fi THOMAS H. BAYLY 78 n A J. PIERPONT E.L.1544A NEW LOW TONE The First Finger on the G String (It is called A) open It sounds a whole step higher than the open G string. Gatring 1stfinger A The Quarter Rest ‘This is a quarter rest (}). It receives one count. 81 Thoughts of Christmas i ‘TRADITIONAL, Good Morning! ELL. 1544THE SECOND FINGER ON THE G STRING (It is called B) It is a whole step from the Ist finger A. s Ra pA A The Tap Dancer ‘The top means that there are 3 counts to each measure. , THE THIRD FINGER ON THE G STRING (It is called C ) It is ahalf step from the 2nd finger B. Place the 3rd finger close tothe 2nd finger. Sa 5 c ‘Student Under the Sea ‘Teacher Watching the Sheep . FRENCH FOLK SONG < ° ROTE PROJECT: With some classes it may be possible to introduce the 4th finger at this point, on all strings except the G string. E.L.1544THE SECOND FINGER—When it is not sharped ‘When the 2nd finger on D or A is not sharped, itis a half step from the lat finger. Place it close to the Ist finger. 4- This is a natural sign which means that the note is not sharped or flatted. (SSS + — 1 Wie Tat Tiger Nelly Bly ‘TRADITIONAL Riad Song GERMAN FOLK SONG xr slides from the Natural to the Sharp Position The Half Step March Leave the 2nd finger on the string during the slide. n The Second Fin 92 ROTE PROJECT: The class will now enjoy playing the 1 finger pattern with a half step be- tween the Ist and 2nd fingers. Play on all strings in various rhythms. EL. 15442 PLAYING THREE NOTES IN THE SAME BOW STROKE Use one third of the bow for each of the slurred notes. A n eee —s = Thoughts of You fn GERMAN FOLK SONG Blow That Man Down ‘This note is called an "up-beat". ‘The count is subtracted from the last measure. v fn SEA CHANTEY o SS n A 96 roe eee Pi ee Each student will now be ready to play the next Violin solo with piano accompaniment, It is the famous “Blue Danube Walty’” by Johann Strauss. E.L. 154422 A NEW HIGH TONE ‘st Finger on the E String (It is called Ft) The When there is a sharp before F it is called Ff. F sharp is a whole step from the open string. open | ‘Ist Tinger estring Fe Monkey in his Cage =~ = n > 98 Dream Waltz ‘The dots me. to repeat, You are to repeat the section between the two sets of dots. n . Pony Ride (Duet for Two Students) Student ‘i F, WOHLFAHRT 100 {os 4, ROTE PROJECT: ‘The £2 finger pattern with the 1st and 2nd fingers a half step apart, and the 23 finger pattern with the 2nd and 3rd fingers half step apart, may now be practiced three notes in a bow. ELL. 154423 THE SECOND FINGER ON THE E STRING (It is called G) ‘The 2nd finger G is a half step from the Ist finger Ff. Place the 2nd finger close to the Ist finger. The Third Finger on the E String (It is-called A) ‘The Brd finger A ts a whole step from the 2nd finger G. sm a A . fq The Lonesome Cowboy y 7 ‘TRADITIONAL 104? t eee Happy Go Lucky (Melody with octaves) When there is only one set of dots go back to the beginning. n n 105 — —— ROTE PROJECT: The scales of G and D Major may now be tried in the following rhythms. The notes marked with a dot and dash are played Délache Lance ~ a slight pause between each E.L. 1844THE FIRST FINGER ON E—When it is not Sharped (It is called F) When the Ist finger on E is not sharped, it is a half step from the open string. Place it close to the nut using only the very tip of the Ist finger ing during the slide but do not move the left thumb or wrist. ‘Leave the Ast finger on the stri no i 4 a 106 Above the Clouds 0: noEarer 107 means to play loudly ~ from the Italian word "forte". fi n FRENCH FOLK SONG 10? 7* A The Clock Tower = means to play softly from the Italian word "piano". ° yaaa, = “~ A.R. REINAGLE we Oo} &: Good King Wenceslas nit, or ritardando means gradually slower. n n ‘TRADITIONAL CAROL 2 12P eS f A a Old Hundredth v 7 LOUIS BOURGEOIS 113P My Pet Pony : n GERMAN FOLK SONG B.L. 154426 STRENGHTHENING THE FOURTH FINGER—LEFT HAND PIZZICATO ‘The notes marked with crosses (+) are to be plucked with the 4th finger of the left hand. The Fourth does the Picking Att 44s tees ee et tt tee 15 Chop Sticks ‘TRADITIONAL, P A Maypole Dance Lift the bow before you pluck the string. r ENGLISH SINGING GAME a cen ttn af 7? ffedise Lee Fl f eet vee a t 2 ° 1 we Smooth Slurring Snowflakes FRENCH FOLK TUNE ‘ 4 rn. deen $ 119P E.L.154427 WE ARE NOW READY TO USE THE FOURTH FINGER ‘The 4th finger on each string is a whole step from the 3rd finger. It is placed about an inch from the 3rd finger. ‘The 4th finger on G, D, and A should sound exactly like the next higher string. "Pizaieato" (plzz.) means plucking the string with the Ist finger of the right hand. Place the tip of the Wiumb on the edge of the fingerboard under the E etring. Right Hand Pizzicato ‘The 4th on D is called A. ‘The 4th on A is called E. t jaa” oa a The Happy Ghost Tt oe +t : The Puppet arco means to play with the bow. PP GERMAN FOLK SONG v v in ‘ 3 att diez. p 121P “ ‘arco - ‘ Come, Beautiful May n ft 1 The Wagon Wheel ‘The 4th on E is called B. A n 123 f° cudem Blue Butterflies 5 . nm A 124 P f _|k ‘Student B.L.154428 MELODIES USING ALL THE FINGERS Yankee Doodle ‘TRADITIONAL, The Bean Stalk OLD DANCE 126° ize p ‘ Vesper Hymn Prepare for the 4th finger by placing the lower fingers down at the same time. fon 1271p Faith of Our Fathers n t rit. The Cobbler A RUSSIAN FOLK SONG E.L.154429 BUILDING A MAJOR SCALE If we play eight notes going up a step at a time so that the eighth note is an octave above the Ist note, we have a scale. Ifthere is ahalf step between the 3rd and 4th notes and a half step between the 7th and 8th notes , we have a Major seale. Let's divide the scale into two halves. Each halfis called a Tetrachord. THE FIRST HALF OF A SCALE (in different rhythms) Notice the half step between the 3rd and 4th notes. n n n 130 ° 8 3° half atep THE SECOND HALF OF THE SAME SCALE (in the same rhythms) The 2nd half will start a whole step above the 1st half. (Half step between the Srd and 4th notes.) A 131 Big B 5 7 PUTTING THE TWO HALVES TOGETHER (This scale is called C major because it starts on C) Notice the half steps between the 3rd and 4th notes and the 7th and 8th notes A half step a 132 ra T° The C Major Scale—Up and Down n n 133 o 7 6 Student An Overnight Hike This Is written in C Major. F. WOHLFAHRT E.L.154430 EIGHTH NOTES (J) Eighth notes are played twice as fast as quarter notes. ‘Two eighth notes recetve one count and are equal to one quarter note. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (As we played it earlier in the book) n ai OLD FRENCH SONG 135 P t Pp n, n f P f vu. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (in 8th notes) Each note is repeated in 8th notes and played twice as fast as quarter notes n n 136 P f — See CSA SSS [we SS So eee 1 n A Lightly Row (in 8th notes) 7 eparing the 4th finger GERMAN FOLK SONG 137 For the third Violin solo with piano accompaniment to be used for demonstrations, we have an old favorite - “Kiss Me Again” by Victor Herbert. ELL. 154431 EIGHTH NOTES COMBINED WITH QUARTER NOTES n The Game Starts Student n 133 5 Student THE FOURTH FINGER ON THE G STRING (It is called D) It is a whole step from the 3rd finger C. It should sound like the open D. The Spooks a 40 re tt 3 biz. p In the Cave Student32 LIVELY MELODIES WITH EIGHTH NOTES The Magician n n 142 3 St n Polka A Polka is a lively Bohemian dance with two counts to each measure. ‘The top® means that there are two counts to each measure. F. WOHLFAHRT 4m A 143 Student fn n ° Bow to Your Partner n ‘i SWEDISH FOLK GAME ELL. 1544