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.

This follows the popular ASTA String Syllabus, Vol. One: 2003 Edition, which has been ASTA's top seller and most requested publication for the past five years. The new version was carefully and thoroughly updated and revised by David Littrell, ASTA past president. Members will also appreciate that new material was added for Alternative Styles. 140 pages.

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.

The Teaching of Instrumental Music, Sixth Edition, introduces music education majors to basic instrumental pedagogy for the instruments and ensembles commonly found in the elementary and secondary curricula. It focuses on the core competencies required for teacher certification in instrumental music, with the pervasive philosophy to assist teachers as they develop an instrumental music program based on understanding and respecting all types of music. Parts I and II focus on essential issues for a successful instrumental program, presenting first the history and foundations, followed by effective strategies in administrative tasks and classroom teaching. Parts III, IV, and V are devoted to the skills and techniques of woodwind, brass and percussion, and string instruments. In all, The Teaching of Instrumental Music is the complete reference for the beginning instrumental teacher, commonly retained in a student’s professional library for its unique and comprehensive coverage. This Sixth Edition includes: Streamlined language and improved layout throughout, making this edition more concise and accessible to students. Updated content throughout, including insights from current research for curriculum development, coverage of current law and policy changes that impact the classroom, contemporary motivational strategies, and more information on the history of African-American and all-female music ensembles. Updated references, photos, lists of artists, and online resources.