Young Strings in Action

A String Method for Class or Individual Instruction

Paul Rolland`s Approach to String Playing

This series, "Young Strings in Action", is appropriately named for the Rolland "action" method of instruction, which emphasizes natural body movement and note-reading at a very early stage. Mastering the physical and intellectual concepts of string playing by the Rolland approach has proven successful with very young as well as older and more advanced students. Regardless of age, dramatic results can be achieved by freeing the body of static tension and by inducing slight body movements beneficial to the bowing. "Young Strings in Action" is a revision of the original Rolland teaching method entitled "Prelude to String Playing", which was first published in 1971. It was Professor Rolland`s intention to revise his method. Unfortunately, due to his untimely death in 1978, the revision could not be made. In 1983 Sheila Johnson was officially appointed to revise "Prelude to String Playing". The new edition presents the same pedagogical material and the same procedures in a step-by-step heterogenous approach which is ideal for both classroom and private teaching. It has been expanded to include a wealth of teaching material, exercises, and first repertoire pieces. "Young Strings in Action" covers the first three years of instruction, and separate teacher`s books are available for each year of study. Individual student books for violin, viola, cello and bass are also available - again, a separate volume for each year of study.