Strictly Strings, Book 1 Cover Image

Strictly Strings, Book 1: Conductor Comb Bound Book

$44.99 USD
$44.99 USD
Skip to product information
Strictly Strings, Book 1 Cover Image
Strictly Strings, Book 1: Conductor Comb Bound Book

Strictly Strings, Book 1: Conductor Comb Bound Book

A Comprehensive String Method

By Jacquelyn Dillon, James Kjelland, and John O'Reilly

Item: 00-5297
$44.99
Shipped

One moment…

Related Items

Strictly Strings, Book 1: Digital Audio Download

$14.99
View

Strictly Strings, Book 1: Violin Book

$9.99
View

Strictly Strings, Book 1: Viola Book

$9.99
View
Description
An easy-to-teach, straight forward string method from three renowned pedagogues. A unique letter-note style of music notation is utilized which ensures a smooth transition from rote to note reading. Students are quickly introduced to ensemble playing and play a wide variety of fun-to play melodies, keys and modes. Strictly Strings features a carefully prepared lesson sequence which develops all players' abilities equally. The comb binding creates a lay-flat book that is perfect for study and performance.

Strictly Strings, Book 1: Conductor Comb Bound Book isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Pages

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: Strictly Strings
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 216
ISBN10: 0-88284-534-9
ISBN13: 978-0-88284-534-0
UPC: 038081017693
SKU: 00-5297
Instrumentation: Conductor's Score

More about this title

About the Author: Jacquelyn Dillon

Jacquelyn Dillon

Jacquelyn Dillon has shaped string education across North America through three decades of teaching, conducting, and advocacy. She founded acclaimed orchestra programs in the public schools of Derby, Kansas and Norman, Oklahoma, and has served as a guest conductor and clinician at nearly 1,000 professional appearances, including all-state orchestras, regional festivals, and music educator conferences in 46 states. Her leadership extends to national roles as president of the American String Teachers Association and chair of the MENC Committee for String and Orchestra Education, plus editorial work with Orchestra News and educational direction for Scherl and Roth.

Dillon holds degrees in music education from Wichita State University and has taught at universities across Louisiana, New York, and Kansas. Her work as a professor of string music education and conductor of chamber ensembles at Wichita State University, combined with her experience presenting string pedagogy at over 50 universities, positions her as a recognized authority on group string instruction. Strictly Strings emerged from her decades of work helping young musicians develop ensemble musicianship and interpretive depth from their first year of playing.

Why we love this

This method moves conductors and students past rote playing into genuine ensemble reading in the first year. The letter-note notation system is not a crutch but a deliberate pedagogical bridge, and the carefully sequenced lessons ensure balanced development across an entire string section without leaving anyone behind. The lay-flat comb binding is a small detail that makes a real difference in the rehearsal room and on stage.

What to expect

Methodical and purposeful rather than playful, with melodies that feel grounded and achievable. Students experience the satisfaction of playing together quickly, and the varied keys and modes add color and interest even as technique develops.

Who it's for

String orchestra conductors launching beginner programs or refreshing their first-year curriculum. Directors looking for a method that balances accessibility with musical substance, ensuring students read notes and play with ensemble awareness from the start.

How to get the most out of it

  • Use the lay-flat design to position the score for easy reference during rehearsals and performances, reducing the need to fight with page turns and keeping your conducting gesture visible to the ensemble.
  • Follow the carefully prepared lesson sequence as written rather than jumping ahead; the balanced development approach only works if all players move through the material together.
  • Monitor the transition from letter-note to standard notation closely, offering extra reinforcement during early readings so students gain confidence in abstract symbols.
  • Leverage the variety of keys and modes to introduce tonal awareness early; discuss how the same melody sounds different in each key and mode before digging into technique.

How to use it

Adopt Strictly Strings as your primary first-year method, trusting its sequencing to build unified readiness across all parts. The lay-flat format makes it equally suited to classroom study and concert performance, so students can rehearse and eventually perform directly from the same edition.

Skills your students will build

  • Letter-note reading with smooth transition to standard notation
  • Ensemble intonation and balance across string parts
  • Rhythmic accuracy within a carefully graduated sequence
  • Reading music in varied keys and modes
  • Foundational bow control and tone production appropriate to early repertoire

You May Also Like