The purpose of this study is to review method books for beginning heterogeneous string class in order to assess compatibility with the baseline learning tasks of the American String Teachers Association String Curriculum. The curriculum describes recommendations for string instruction in the areas of executive, musicianship, and artistic skills and knowledge, which are grouped into the content areas of body format, right and left hand skills, tonal and rhythmic aural skills, creative musicianship, music literacy, ensemble skills, expressive elements, historical and cultural elements, and evaluation of music. Each content area is divided into specific learning tasks at the baseline, developing, proficient, and advanced levels, and this study is limited to the baseline level. The teacher manuals of the thirteen string methods that appear on the curriculum resource list of the ASTA String Curriculum were analyzed and reviewed according to the opportunities provided for teaching the baseline learning tasks of each of the eleven content areas described in the curriculum. Each method was also analyzed for additional elements that affect its use in the beginning string classroom including unique features, supplementary materials, sequential books, origin and type of tunes, key signatures and time signatures used or implied, range for each instrument, shifting or extensions, presentation, and cost and availability. The results highlight differences between methods but suggest that a knowledgeable string teacher could effectively use any of the methods to teach the content of the ASTA String Curriculum.

This first-of-its-kind national string curriculum, the ASTA String Curriculum 2021 Edition is concise, easy to use, and comprehensive. It provides a clear scope-and-sequence, more than 200 specific learning targets, and practical information for teachers from every level of experience. The 2021 edition by Stephen J. Benham, Mary L. Wagner, Jane Linn Aten, Judith P. Evans, Denese Odegaard, and Julie Lyonn Lieberman outlines several ways teachers have effectively used the curriculum since its release in 2011 and updates resources and terminology.

This comprehensive K-12 string program curriculum is the first of its kind. A clear and concise scope-and-sequence makes this curriculum easy to use; more than 200 specific learning tasks make this curriculum comprehensive. Based on the outstanding teaching traditions in the field and the contributions of many earlier authors, educators, and researchers, this curriculum contains useful and practical information for string teachers from every level of experience.

Mastery for Strings presents a unique, efficient methodology for developing high levels of proficiency in string players in both classroom and private studio settings. Cornerstones of the Mastery for Strings approach are: a curriculum design for large heterogeneous string classes, technical skills organized in small, sequential steps, "how-to" pages with clear goals, explicit instructions, and recognizable evaluation criteria for each technical skill, a plan for developing problem-solving strategies and self-evaluation skills, music theory (fingerboard geography) taught without reference to the piano keyboard.

An excellent method for string classroom instruction, the Etling String Class Method provides teachers with a flexible format that can be customized to suit a class of any size or ability. Daily drills, solos, intonation, bow stroke, counting, rhythm and hand position are emphasized and can be taught before, after, or along with note reading.