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3rd and 5th Position String Builder: Bass Book

$6.95 USD
$6.95 USD
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3rd and 5th Position String Builder Cover Image
3rd and 5th Position String Builder: Bass Book

3rd and 5th Position String Builder: Bass Book

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

By Samuel Applebaum

Item: 00-EL01940
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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 introuduced 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: 32
ISBN10: 0-7692-3212-4
ISBN13: 978-0-7692-3212-6
UPC: 029156153019
SKU: 00-EL01940
Instrumentation: Bass

More about this title

About the Author: Samuel Applebaum

Samuel Applebaum was a prolific string pedagogue and composer whose methods shaped generations of young string players in American music education. His systematic approach to instrumental instruction emphasized musical interest alongside technical development, believing that students learned best when engaged by the repertoire itself rather than mechanical exercises alone.

Applebaum's string method books remain widely used in school orchestras and private studios because they balance accessibility with genuine musicality. His materials reflect deep understanding of how young players develop finger patterns, intonation, and musicianship across multiple positions and shift techniques.

Why we love this

This book arrives at exactly the moment when bass players are ready to expand their range but still need careful scaffolding. Applebaum's deliberate progression from finding each finger in third and fifth positions to executing shifts with the same finger, then different fingers, removes guesswork from position work. The duet material keeps students invested musically while they're building the muscle memory these positions demand.

What to expect

Opening this book brings a noticeable shift in musical territory. The melodies feel more substantial and expressive than earlier positions allowed, yet the technical language remains patient and clear. Students sense they are advancing into "real" music, not exercises.

Who it's for

Bass players in their second or third year of study who have completed foundational method work and are ready to access music beyond first position. This book works equally well in ensemble settings or private instruction, supporting students who study alone as thoroughly as those in group classes.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish clear reference points for third and fifth positions before adding the shift concept; have students find their landing spots without playing, then add sound only when hand position feels secure.
  • Use the duet material to reinforce rhythmic precision and intonation simultaneously; pairing students allows immediate peer feedback on whether shifts land cleanly.
  • Work through the rote suggestions in the order Applebaum presents them; this scaffolding directly supports students who struggle with reading while still building the same technical foundation.
  • Address shifts as a separate physical action before layering them into full passages; isolate the finger motion, then the hand motion, then combine both with sound.

How to use it

Integrate this material into your second-year curriculum as a bridge between foundational method books and standard orchestra repertoire. The duet work fits naturally into sectional rehearsals or stands as its own ensemble activity, freeing you from constant accompaniment while keeping bass players fully engaged. The systematic approach to positions means you can teach multiple students at different points simultaneously without overwhelming them.

Skills your students will build

  • Locating third and fifth positions independently on the fingerboard
  • Executing shifts within the same finger without losing tone quality
  • Shifting to third and fifth positions with different fingers
  • Reading in positions beyond first position
  • Ensemble intonation and rhythmic precision in duet contexts
  • Sustained musicality while managing technical demands

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