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Cut to the Coda: The method book comparison chart printable!
Method books for music readers
I teach young beginner violin students to read music from the start. I use method book series to teach concepts in a logical sequence, but have yet to find “the perfect” method book that exactly matches my preferred teaching progression.
Most published violin method books in the U.S.A. were written for elementary-age mixed-instrument school music classes. So sometimes the sequence for violin students delays the introduction of the E-string notes (Essential Elements Book 1), because the cello and viola students in the class don’t have an E string. Some books advance more quickly than others, with fewer pages and examples between introductions of new concepts. Some Level 1 books leave out skills that other Level 1 books cover, like low second finger. All seem to be written for group instead of individual instruction. And most haven’t been updated for 20 years or more. Witness “String Builder,” unchanged since the 1960’s and the book used in my 3rd grade orchestra class!