Scales for Strings, Book II: Violin Book

This Book II volume respects the intermediate violinist's growing command while avoiding the dreariness of unadorned scale drills. Applebaum frames scale patterns within musical contexts and varied bowings that keep students engaged and develop the kind of technical fluency that transfers directly to repertoire reading.

Working through these scales feels purposeful rather than mechanical. The patterns build naturally through keys and positions, and the inclusion of varied rhythmic approaches and bowings creates a sense of progression that keeps practice sessions engaging.

String teachers looking for systematic supplementary material that bridges elementary technique and more advanced repertoire. Intermediate violinists and string orchestras benefit most from this book, which assumes familiarity with basic scales and positions but offers ample room for refinement and confidence building.

• Work through one scale pattern per rehearsal rather than attempting multiple keys in a single session. This builds consistency and allows students to focus on bow control and intonation without cognitive overload.
• Use the piano accompaniment to anchor intonation and rhythmic precision. The harmonic context helps violinists hear their pitches within chords, sharpening ear training alongside technical work.
• Establish a steady tempo before increasing speed. Control at a moderate pace builds muscle memory more effectively than rushing through patterns students haven't yet internalized.
• Rotate between patterns across rehearsals to prevent monotony. A mixed approach keeps the material fresh while still ensuring adequate repetition.

Integrate this into a regular weekly routine as your ensemble's technical foundation. One or two scales per rehearsal, used consistently across an entire season, ensures steady improvement without derailing time devoted to concert repertoire. Many directors pair it with their existing method or use it to strengthen sections of the orchestra preparing for more challenging works.

• Secure intonation across multiple keys and positions
• Consistent bow control and tone production
• Left-hand facility and finger dexterity
• Reading and executing varied rhythmic patterns within scale contexts
• Ensemble listening and harmonic awareness when playing with accompaniment