ASTA Publications

Teachers keep coming back to The Teaching of Action in String Playing by Paul Rolland, a cornerstone text for understanding the physical foundations of string playing. The ASTA String Curriculum 2021 Edition by Stephen J. Benham is widely adopted as the framework for scope and sequence in string programs. Ida Mercer's Cello Companion titles, both the standalone book and the companion to Rolland's work, have become essential resources for cello teachers since their release.

Ida Mercer's Cello Companion series arrived in 2026, offering both a standalone cello book and a focused companion to Paul Rolland's The Teaching of Action in String Playing for cellists.

Paul Rolland's The Teaching of Action in String Playing stands as one of the most influential string method texts in the field. His work on movement and technique has shaped how generations of teachers understand the physical mechanics of playing, and his approach continues to be referenced and built upon by other pedagogues in this collection.

Elizabeth A. H. Green's Orchestral Bowings and Routines addresses a gap many teachers face: how to teach the specific bowing patterns and styles that orchestral playing demands. Her systematic approach to bowings makes this a practical reference teachers return to regularly.

Ida Mercer brings a contemporary voice to the collection with her Cello Companion series. By creating both a standalone resource and a direct companion to Rolland's foundational work, Mercer acknowledges what cellists need while honoring the pedagogical traditions that precede her.