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3rd and 5th Position String Builder: Teacher's Manual Book

$16.95 USD
$16.95 USD
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3rd and 5th Position String Builder Cover Image
3rd and 5th Position String Builder: Teacher's Manual Book

3rd and 5th Position String Builder: Teacher's Manual Book

A Continuation of the Belwin String Builder or Any Other Standard String Class Method

By Samuel Applebaum

Item: 00-EL01935
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Description
The Third and Fifth Position String Builder is to be used after Book 3 of the Belwin String Builder. However, it may also be used as a continuation of any the standard string class methods. In this book, the violin, viola, cello, and bass play together. The book for each instrument, however, is a complete unit and may be used separately for class or individual instruction. In this book, the pupil is carefully taken step by step through the third and fifth positions. The pupil is taught to find each finger, after which simple shifts are introduced with the same finger, followed by shifts to these positions with different fingers. Each type of shift is presented and developed with interesting melodies. The material in this volume is chosen for its musical interest and its technical value. There are a number of duets which are to be played by either two pupils or with the class divided into two groups. The material in this book is realistically graded so that only a minimum of explanatory material is required. Suggestions for work by rote are presented throughout the book. Published for violin, viola, cello, bass, piano accompaniment, teacher's manual.

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Additional Details
Series: Belwin Course for Strings
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 76
ISBN10: 0-7692-3207-8
ISBN13: 978-0-7692-3207-2
UPC: 029156275513
SKU: 00-EL01935
Instrumentation: Teacher's Manual

More about this title

About the Author: Samuel Applebaum

Samuel Applebaum was a violinist, composer, and pedagogue who shaped American string education through the Belwin String Builder series. His systematic approach to position work and shift technique became foundational in thousands of school orchestras, built on the principle that students learn positions best through musical context rather than isolation.

Why we love this

This manual gives you everything you need to teach positions without reinventing the wheel. The graded progression from finding individual fingers through same-finger shifts to cross-finger shifts is logically sequenced, and the inclusion of duets means students actually want to play the exercises. The rote suggestions throughout recognize that not every student reads fluently at this stage, so you're not locked into reading-first pedagogy.

What to expect

The material feels intentionally musical rather than mechanical. You're not asking students to play position studies in the abstract; melodies are actually worth playing, which changes the emotional tenor of what could be tedious technical work. Duets create ensemble energy even at this foundational stage.

Who it's for

String teachers working with students ready to expand beyond first position, whether you're using Belwin Book 3 as your primary method or supplementing another series. This manual works equally well for class instruction and private lessons, giving you the roadmap for systematic position study.

How to get the most out of it

  • Have students sing or hum the melody before playing it in the new position. This anchors the sound in their ear and reduces the guessing that happens when fingers are unfamiliar.
  • Split the duets strategically: pair stronger readers with those still consolidating their reading skills so both students stay engaged.
  • Keep early position work in contexts where bow control is straightforward. Let students focus mentally on finger placement without fighting a complex bow pattern.
  • Use the rote material as a confidence builder. Students who struggle with reading see immediate progress, which matters for retention and attitude.

How to use it

Move into this material once your first-position fundamentals are solid and students show consistent intonation and tone quality. Use the duets as section warm-ups or as standalone pieces in chamber rehearsals to reinforce ensemble skills while building position facility.

Skills your students will build

  • Locating third and fifth position hand placement without visual reference
  • Executing same-finger shifts within positions
  • Performing cross-finger shifts between positions
  • Reading in multiple positions
  • Blend and balance in duet textures
  • Playing from memory through rote learning strategies

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