Yes, You Can! is a practical guide for teaching the essential techniques
of orchestral string instruments. Especially useful if you are coming into
teaching strings from another discipline, such as band or choir. The guide
carefully describes techniques and compares them to knowledge you
already have so that you will feel confident in presenting these concepts
to students. If you are already a string specialist, you will find this an
indispensable resource guide that presents the pedagogical techniques of
teaching string instruments in a concise, easy to understand format.

Forword
Introduction
Chapter 1: What you already know:
Fundamentals of learning are the same
Chapter 2: What You Already Know
The Importance of Fundamentals and Technique
A short note about learning:
Basic Tone Production: Acoustics
The Harmonic Series, Notated
Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Tone Production
The Role of the Right Arm/Bowing Mechanism
Comparison of Tone Production Principles of Winds, Voice, and Strings
Bowing Lanes (aka, Bowing Channels)
Exercise for Bow Placement
The Interaction Between Weight, Angle, Speed, and Placement
Creating Sound: The initiation of the pitch, the sustaining of the pitch and the release of the pitch
Fundamentals of Tone Production: The Role of the Left Arm/Fingering Mechanism
Body/Kinesthetic Motion: You Can’t Fight Physics, Newton Said So.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Understanding the physiology of the hand
Three Simple Bowing Exercises for Learning How to Control Weight, Angle, Speed, and Placement
Construction of the Bow and Why It Matters
French Bow vs. German Bow for Double-Bass
Articulation and bowing technique
Executing the articulation
From Articulation to Bowing Techniques
How do I know which bowing style to use?
Exercises for Bowing Styles, and Why They Must Be Practiced Separately
And, just to keep it interesting…string crossing!
Why does all of this matter?
Rhythm and Bowing
Bowing Markings
The Fourteen Basic Principles of Bow-Direction
Additional resources already at your disposal
Chapter 4: Fundamentals of Tone Production:
The Role of the Left-Arm Mechanism
The Importance of Relaxation and Balance
Understanding Fingerboard Geography
Forward or shifting extensions
Shifting
Types of Shifts
Shifting and Aural Skills
Vibrato
Performing with vibrato
Answering the question about why certain keys are better than others
A final thought on technique
Chapter 5:Developing Aural Skills
The supremacy of aural skills
Using Tonal Patterns to Enhance Aural Skills
Using Folk Songs to Enhance Aural Skills
Effective “Ear Tunes” for String Ensembles, including both simple and more complex tunes
Other resources for aural skills training
Tuning the Orchestra
Preparatory Sequence #1 (single pitch approach)
Preparatory Sequence #2 (double stop approach)
Importance of the Tuning Pyramid
Chapter 6: What you Need to Know About Conducting a Band/Choir vs. Conducting an Orchestra:
Rehearsal Planning, Score Analysis, and Building the Ensemble
The Development of Master Teacher-Conductors
Characteristics of Outstanding Teacher-Conductors
Applying Instructional Delivery to the Teacher-Conductor
Developing Effective Rehearsal Routines
What the best teachers do in the classroom and studio
Fostering Artistry and Passion in the String Ensemble
Planning to be an Effective Teacher
Rehearsal Preparation—Preparing the Score
Moving from the Analysis to the Rehearsal
Rehearsal Planning — Structuring the Rehearsal and Planning for Success
Rehearsal Techniques—Predictive Success, Preventive Maintenance
Rehearsal Techniques—Solving Musical Issues
Rehearsal Techniques—Solving Technical Issues
Special Notes on Adaptations for Middle School Ensembles
Teaching Techniques, Principles of Learning, and Instructional Delivery
Models of Effective Middle-School Level Instructional Delivery
Effective Middle School Teacher Behaviors, Rehearsal Planning and Techniques
The Use of a Chamber Music Program to Teach Ensemble Skills
Chapter 7: Organizing the String Program
When to begin instruction
How to schedule instruction
Expect that you will teach heterogeneous string groups.
Recruitment and Retention will continue to be key issues
The value of community and school mentor programs
Choosing the right method book
What do I teach at the beginning?
The String Ensemble vs. the Full Orchestra
Ensemble leadership
Orchestral Seating
Tuning the orchestra
Chapter 8: Equipment and Materials
Choosing an instrument
Choosing a bow
Instrument sizes
Essential Equipment for String Players
Developing your orchestral library
Educational Arrangements or Authentic Music?
Chapter 9: Professional Resources
Professional Associations
Other Professional Development Opportunities
Publishers of Educational Orchestral Music
Bibliography