What level of player is Team Strings intended for?

Team Strings is specifically designed for absolute beginners. It starts with the basics of violin performance and moves through a carefully graded course to build foundational skills.

Can this book be used for group lessons?

Yes, the course is designed to be flexible. It is equally effective for individual study, small group tuition, or larger classroom settings.

How many backing tracks are included with the book?

The book includes over 70 backing tracks. These are designed to help students practice with accompaniment and improve their sense of rhythm and ensemble playing.

What genres of music are included in the repertoire?

The book features a wide range of styles including Baroque, Classical, Film music, Jazz, and Latin American pieces. This variety is intended to keep students engaged across different musical traditions.

Does the book cover music theory concepts?

While primarily a performance book, it includes essential elements of theory such as scales, arpeggios, and aural skills development. These are integrated into the practical lessons.

Are there exercises for improvisation?

Yes, Team Strings includes specific sections that encourage improvisation. This helps students develop their creative musicality alongside their technical proficiency.

Does the book teach how to compose music?

The book provides encouragement and basic tasks related to composition. It aims to give students a holistic musical education beyond just playing notes on the page.

What is the typical price for the Team Strings Violin book?

The typical price for this tuition book is approximately £15.00. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer.

Is this book suitable for adults or just children?

While the format is highly popular in schools for children, the clear grading and variety of musical styles make it a functional choice for adult beginners as well.

Who is the publisher of Team Strings?

The book is published by Faber Music, a well-known publisher of educational and classical music resources. It is part of their established 'Team' series for various instruments.

Does this book include information on instrument maintenance?

The book focuses on performance and essentials of violin playing. For hardware maintenance, students might look to specific accessory guides for items like Wittner tailpieces or Hidersine bows.

Can I use this book with an electric violin?

Yes, the musical content is applicable to both acoustic violins, like Stentor models, and electric violins, such as the G4M Solus series. The technical fundamentals remain the same.

Gear article

Faber Team Strings Violin Tuition Book

The Faber Team Strings Violin Tuition Book is a comprehensive educational resource designed for beginner violinists, offering a flexible curriculum for individual or group learning. Established as a leading lesson book in the market, it provides a graded approach to violin performance encompassing various musical styles and technical exercises.

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Overview

Team Strings is a well-established tuition method produced by Faber Music, specifically tailored for those beginning their journey with the violin. It is designed to be a flexible course, meaning it can be effectively utilised by private tutors for one-on-one lessons, or by school instructors in group and classroom environments. The book aims to provide a solid foundation in the essentials of violin performance while maintaining student engagement through a varied repertoire.

Curriculum and Pedagogy

The book follows a carefully graded progression system to ensure students develop technical skills at a manageable pace. Beyond basic note-reading, the curriculum integrates several key areas of musicianship:

Scales and Arpeggios: Essential for developing intonation and fingerboard knowledge.
Aural Skills: Exercises designed to improve the student's ability to hear and identify musical intervals and rhythms.
Improvisation: Encouragement for students to create their own melodic lines within set parameters.
Composition: Tasks that guide the student through the basics of writing their own music.

Musical Style and Repertoire

One of the defining features of Team Strings is its eclectic range of musical styles. Rather than focusing solely on traditional classical exercises, the book includes pieces from the Baroque and Classical eras alongside modern Film scores, Jazz, and Latin American music. This diversity helps students remain motivated by allowing them to apply their developing skills to different rhythmic and melodic contexts.

Included Resources

To enhance the practice experience, the book includes over 70 backing tracks. These tracks allow the student to perform with a full musical accompaniment, which helps in developing a sense of timing, pulse, and ensemble playing from an early stage. This digital or physical accompaniment ensures that solo practice sessions are more immersive and productive.

Comparison and Suitability

While beginners might also consider entry-level instruments such as the Stentor Graduate or Messina models, the Team Strings book serves as the pedagogical bridge to using that hardware effectively. Compared to more rigid, classical-only methods, Team Strings is often preferred for its multi-genre approach. It is particularly suited for young students in school settings where group learning requires a flexible and engaging curriculum.

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Frequently asked questions

What level of player is Team Strings intended for?: Team Strings is specifically designed for absolute beginners. It starts with the basics of violin performance and moves through a carefully graded course to build foundational skills.
Can this book be used for group lessons?: Yes, the course is designed to be flexible. It is equally effective for individual study, small group tuition, or larger classroom settings.
How many backing tracks are included with the book?: The book includes over 70 backing tracks. These are designed to help students practice with accompaniment and improve their sense of rhythm and ensemble playing.
What genres of music are included in the repertoire?: The book features a wide range of styles including Baroque, Classical, Film music, Jazz, and Latin American pieces. This variety is intended to keep students engaged across different musical traditions.
Does the book cover music theory concepts?: While primarily a performance book, it includes essential elements of theory such as scales, arpeggios, and aural skills development. These are integrated into the practical lessons.
Are there exercises for improvisation?: Yes, Team Strings includes specific sections that encourage improvisation. This helps students develop their creative musicality alongside their technical proficiency.
Does the book teach how to compose music?: The book provides encouragement and basic tasks related to composition. It aims to give students a holistic musical education beyond just playing notes on the page.
What is the typical price for the Team Strings Violin book?: The typical price for this tuition book is approximately £15.00. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer.
Is this book suitable for adults or just children?: While the format is highly popular in schools for children, the clear grading and variety of musical styles make it a functional choice for adult beginners as well.
Who is the publisher of Team Strings?: The book is published by Faber Music, a well-known publisher of educational and classical music resources. It is part of their established 'Team' series for various instruments.
Does this book include information on instrument maintenance?: The book focuses on performance and essentials of violin playing. For hardware maintenance, students might look to specific accessory guides for items like Wittner tailpieces or Hidersine bows.
Can I use this book with an electric violin?: Yes, the musical content is applicable to both acoustic violins, like Stentor models, and electric violins, such as the G4M Solus series. The technical fundamentals remain the same.