Teaching Strings Made Easy

Teach strings with ease and confidence!

Become that awesome

string teacher you want to be.

?

Tired of wasting time and effort trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t, only to get disappointing results?

Do you spend hours researching videos and articles and asking colleagues to find the answers to your problems?

$

Have you invested in conferences and workshops, only to come out overwhelmed with bits and pieces of ideas?

!

Or maybe you’re a non-string player struggling to teach strings, or wanting to add strings to your qualifications?

Take my training to learn my simple, fast and effective pedagogy for the string classroom!


Invest now in my training,

Teaching Strings Made Easy

Join these happy teachers who are now

confidently setting a solid foundation for their students.

Teacher Testimonials

What you’ll get out of my training:

A step-by-step blueprint….

Learn at your own pace….

More time to teach!

Community & collaboration….

My string teacher training will help you achieve three main goals….”

1.

Help you master a secondary instrument.

Are you feeling insecure about teaching those instrument you don’t really play?

My methodology is so simple and clear, you will learn to master beginner technique on a secondary instrument in a matter of weeks. You’ll also be able to easily master the other instruments as well.

2.

Arm you with a simple, step-by-step pedagogy.

I want to help you take the guesswork out of teaching strings.

My simple step-by-step sequence will help you build a solid foundation for fingering, shifting, note-reading, bowing technique and more, even if you are a non-string player. You will be able to take your students further in their first year than you ever thought possible!

3.

Train you to be skilled at troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting and addressing problems with technique is a very challenging part of your job.

Playing a stringed instrument is complex, and there are many things that can go wrong. Learning to confidently recognize and correct common technique problems is an essential part of your training.

Is this course for you?

Teaching strings can be complex and overwhelming.

If you struggle with any of the problems below,

then this training is for you!

My course is a good fit for you if you are:

  • Tired of fixing the same thumb, wrist and elbow problems over and over again.
  • Disappointed at the slow progress of your students.
  • Mystified that students keep forgetting where to put their fingers.
  • Giving up on your beginners ever being able to hear and play in tune.
  • Frustrated with choosing between teaching foundations and cramming for the next performance.
  • Overwhelmed with the decisions you need to make because you don’t have a clear plan.
  • Worried about losing students in your program because they don’t feel successful.
  • Terrified because you’ve never taught beginner strings before.

I will help you get your students to:

  • Play scales and songs by the end of the 2nd week.
  • Bow confidently by the 3rd week.
  • Start reading music by the 1st month.
  • Impress their parents and the school admin at the first concert.
  • Shift and play 2-octave scales by the 4th month.
  • Understand finger patterns and how to play in different keys.
  • Hear and adjust their notes and play in tune.
  • Have full control of the bow, articulation and dynamics.
  • Be able to make musical decisions independent of you.
  • Play with vibrato.
  • And more!

All in the first year, even if you aren’t a string player!


What’s included in

Teaching Strings Made Easy?

  • 8 x 2.5hr live Zoom classes.
  • Access to 3 introductory recorded lessons as soon as you are registered so you can start learning and applying your new skills now.
  • Individualized attention to ensure your success.

You’ll also get….

  • A step-by-step checklist to help you take the guesswork out of planning lessons.
  • Essential handouts and teaching resources to use with your students.
  • 20% discount off all school licenses for my publications over $100.
  • Access to the SST Private Facebook group community.
  • And more!

After the course you will get….

  • SST Certificate of Completion (with PD hours).
  • 6 months of access to all class recordings and course materials.
  • 1 month free access to the Smart String Teacher Academy.

Register for

Teaching Strings Made Easy

TODAY!


Are you ready to invest in your teaching career and your students’ progress?


How much TIME would it cost you to try to figure out everything on your own?

  • At least 6 months of lessons to learn to confidently play just one instrument with your average private teacher.
  • Hours searching the internet, watching videos, and poring over discussion groups – time you could be spending with family and friends.
  • 30 years of trial and error and feeling unsure of yourself. (That’s how long it took me to discover everything I’m about to teach you!)

Let me save you 30 years

and a lot of your FREE TIME!

Invest 2 weeks instead!


How much MONEY would it cost to learn everything in this course separately?

  • Private lessons to learn to play one instrument – $80/hr x 10 = $800
  • Pedagogy classes, like the Suzuki Method, to learn individual instrumental pedagogy – $700 x 3 instruments = $2100
  • Professional mentoring with an experienced teacher to learn whole classroom strategies – $150/hr x 5 = $750
  • Conferences and workshops to fill in the gaps in your knowledge (including travel, accommodations, food, etc.) – @$1200 each

Total Value: $4850+

Invest $675 instead.

Super Early Bird

save $100 for a limited time!

$575 or

3 Payments of $197


My Guarantee

Register now and learn the skills that will help you become that awesome string teacher you want to be! If after the 2nd class you feel you haven’t gotten any new strategies to help you accelerate your students’ progress by at least double, I will happily refund your tuition in full. No questions asked! Just email me by midnight after the 2nd class.


Register now below!



Two-Week Summer Training

Classes take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.


DATES:

July 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19

10:00am to 12:30pm ET

HOURS: 40 hours total – 20 hours in-class + 20 hours assigned work

CLASSES, ASSIGNMENTS & PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS:

  • 8 x 2.5 hr live Zoom classes
  • Short written assignments
  • Regular practice time between classes
  • Instruments at hand of your choice
  • Method books and repertoire from your school

TUITION:

Super Early Bird Tuition

Save $100 for a limited time.

$575

or 3 Payments of $197

*All prices are in USD.

Maintenance & Repair Add-on


3hr Maintenance & Repair Skillls Course
July 17, 10:00am-1:00pm ET

Make your training even more complete and add for only $20 USD/$25 CAD.
$45 Value!
(If you can’t make the date, there will be a recording available.)


Can’t attend any of these session? Join my VIP Waiting List to be the first to hear about new sessions. Plus, you’ll get an extra VIP discount if you register early!

See what you’ll be able to do, and the skills you will be able to teach after this course!

Course Content:

Set-up

  • How to set up your instruments.
  • How to set up your classroom & routines.
  • Tips for choosing instruments for your students.

Bow Hold

  • How to teach the perfect bow hold in 5 minutes.
  • Keys to establishing proper bowing technique.
  • Troubleshooting common bow hold and bowing problems.

Instrument Hold

  • How to teach the perfect instrument hold in 5 minutes.
  • Keys to establishing proper left hand technique.
  • Troubleshooting common instrument hold problems.

Playing

  • Putting the bow to the string.
  • Playing their first notes.
  • Teaching tunes by ear.

Troubleshooting

  • How to spot and fix common playing problems.
  • Recognizing which problems are symptoms of other underlying causes.
  • Anticipating problems and being pro-active about preventing them.

Introducing Music Reading

  • What method books should I use?
  • When is the best time to introduce note-reading?
  • How do I reinforce or make note-reading easier?

Teaching Rhythm

  • When to introduce rhythm.
  • How to introduce rhythm so it’s easy and fun!
  • How to develop independence in rhythm-reading.

Introduction to Finger Patterns

  • Six easy finger patterns every string student should know.
  • How to easily introduce playing in different keys.
  • How to introduce the 4th finger on violin and viola.

Double Bass Tips

  • How to choose my double bass players.
  • How to be pro-active with double basses.
  • When and how to introduce shifting to double basses.

Shifting and Playing 2-Octave Scales

  • How to teach scales the easy, natural way.
  • How to easily introduce shifting for the first time.
  • How to help students play in different positions.

Introducing Intonation

  • How to teach students to listen for and adjust their intonation successfully.
  • What students need to understand in order to play in tune.
  • How to help students listen to themselves.

Teaching Musicality

  • How to get beginners to sound really good.
  • How to teach dynamics effectively.
  • How to easily teach bowing technique and articulation.

Teaching Students to Think Smarter

  • How to teach in a way that helps students become independent thinkers.
  • How to teach in a natural sequence that promotes a deep understanding of the fundamentals.
  • How to harness the students’ abilities to help each other to build community and self-confidence.

How to Practice Effectively on Stringed Instruments

  • Understanding the role of muscle memory.
  • How to practice successfully by mastering one element at a time.
  • What is the proper mindset when practicing a stringed instrument?

Bonus Lesson

  • How to teach vibrato in 5 minutes!
ABOUT COURSE CONTENT:

Do I have to know anything about teaching strings?
No, but you should have some experience teaching music, i.e. general music, band, vocal, privately, undergrad degree in music education, etc.

Will I learn to play an instrument?
Yes, a large majority of the course is hands-on.

Do I have to know how to play any of the instruments?
No, we will all be learning a new instrument from scratch!

Which instrument should I concentrate on for the course?
Everyone should have a violin handy.  However, to get the most out of the course, you should choose to concentrate on one of your weakest instruments.

Can we learn more than one instrument at a time?
I recommend that you concentrate on one but also have the other instruments handy.  Many teachers have chosen to take on two or more instruments, however this is up to the individual.

What age group is your method appropriate for?
My method has been very successful for students from 4th grade up to adults.  You can certainly adapt many of the ideas to younger students, however I am not an expert at the younger age group.

Is this course appropriate for private teachers too?  I only need strategies for teaching the violin.
Yes!  I highly recommend you take the course as it is.  You will get a good grounding in all the instruments, which will expand your options to teaching more instruments, and to teaching orchestra someday.  Also, taking on a new instrument will put you back in the place of being a beginner student, and is a very valuable experience.

How much course work is there?
There are 8 live Zoom classes at 2.5 hours each.  There are short written assignments after some classes.  Your main commitment will be to make sure you have time to practice regularly on the instrument you have chosen.  

Is it okay if I have to miss one or two classes?
It is not ideal to miss a class.  However, if there is another session on the same day, you are welcome to join it instead.  If you do have to miss class, your class will be recorded so you can watch the replay.  It is not recommended to miss more than 2 classes.

I will be travelling. Is it okay to take this course during my vacation?
If you have the time to complete the work, practice your instrument, and you have access to reliable internet, it is possible.  Please use your best judgement.

REGISTRATON QUESTIONS

I would like to apply for professional development funds from my school to help pay for the course. Can you hold a spot for me for a few days?
Certainly. Just contact me and let me know!

Do you have a payment plan?
Yes, just contact me!

I am not sure if this course is right for me.  Can I book a call with you?
You most certainly can!  Please book a call here.

I would like to have all the teachers in my district or organization trained.  Do you have a group rate?
Yes, please contact me!

Will you offer a course in my time zone?
I would love to!  If you can help get enough teachers in your area interested, we can schedule a session for you.

I can’t do any of the dates you have listed.  How can I learn about the next time you offer the course?
Please join my VIP Waiting List!  You’ll be the first to learn about new sessions, and you’ll get an extra bonus for registering early!


Have questions?

Let’s make sure this course is the right fit for you, and that it’s going to meet your needs.

If you have any questions, let’s schedule a call!