A recent post by MB Miller on School Orchestra and String Teachers, v2 Facebook Page using the word “PAWS” to describe the factors of bowing inspired me to post my version. Note: I did not choose to use “angle” of the bow because I was teaching middle school when I created this....
Another beginning of the year assessment for beginning strings… Enjoy! Parts of the Instrument Handout and Paper Quiz (pdf) Parts of the Instrument Quiz on Google Forms (clicking on the link will create a copy for you to customize!)
We all know that music reading takes practice and simple memorization of what each note looks like on the staff. But what holds many students back is the speed that they can recognize and play notes. There are some great software programs out there, but one of my favorites for...
For those of you who are starting beginners this fall, I would like to share some foldable flash cards for violin, viola, cello and double bass. They are PDF’s and can be printed and cut. Feel free to share on your website/blog! When I was teaching elementary strings, I did...
Using a rubber band attached to the frog can help the bow become more manageable for students who are new to string playing. Or, the rubber band can serve as an aid to correct students who have developed bad bow hold habits. A rubber band (the “seat belt”) attaches to...
Apps / Hardware / Software / Teaching Strategies / Websites
It was great to be back in Buckeye Country, presenting at the OSU Summer String Teachers Workshop! Below is some information about what we discussed, including links to hardware, software, and websites. Essential Elements Interactive A new supplementary technology tool to accompany Essential Elements 2000 for Strings or Band. Visit...
It was another awesome ASTA conference! ASTA is always the conference I get most excited about. How could you not?? So many excellent sessions, concerts, and string vendors! Here are links to information from my sessions: Essential Elements Interactive (Hal Leonard) Reach your audiences with social networking Teaching and reinforcing...
When students first start to play a stringed instrument, they don’t usually have the hand strength or fine motor skills to hold the bow correctly and without tension. The muscles in the hand need to be trained and strengthened. So, as Arnold Swartzenegger said in the movie Kindergarten Cop, “It’s...
Session materials and links are online. Just click under “Topics” menu for information and the “Links” menu for hyperlinks to software and hardware. Essential Elements Interactive Automate and Motivate 21st Century String Players with Instructional Technology Envisioning and Developing the Complete Music Program It was a pleasure to present and...
Strings are technology too! Many students ask what brand/type of strings I use on my personal instruments, so I thought I would post my favorites and why I like them. Violin (First Choice): D’Addario Kaplan Amo Kaplan Am help provide a me with the greatest quality sound, projection, and response....
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Dr. Charles Laux is the Director of Orchestras at Lassiter High School in the Cobb County School District, located just north of Atlanta, Georgia. He also serves as Essential Elements clinician, consultant, and contributor for the Hal Leonard Corporation. Dr. Laux holds degrees in music education from Ohio University, the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. A string educator in his 27th year, Dr. Laux has worked with diverse student populations from elementary school through the collegiate level. He taught at Alpharetta High School in Fulton County, Georgia from 2016-2022 where his duties include directing five levels of orchestra, including the nationally recognized AHS Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Laux served as Assistant Professor of String Music Education at Kennesaw State University from 2012-2016 where he taught string techniques and pedagogy, music education technology integration, supervised student teachers, conducted the KSU Philharmonic and coordinated string outreach activities, including serving as founding director of the KSU String Project. Under his leadership, Kennesaw State University became the largest string education program in Georgia and the KSU String Project grew to serve nearly 110 elementary school students. Previously Dr. Laux directed award-winning school orchestra programs in Nevada, Florida, and Ohio. Under his direction, the Winter Park High School Philharmonic Orchestra was selected to perform at the 60th annual Midwest Clinic in 2006 and the Alpharetta High School Symphony Strings were selected in 2018. Endorsed as an artist-educator by D’Addario Orchestral and Eastman Stringed Instruments, Dr. Laux has presented over 150 educational sessions for organizations such as the Midwest Clinic, American String Teachers Association, Technology Institute for Music Education, Association for Technology in Music Instruction, and at music conferences spanning 23 states. He regularly presents professional development in-services for school districts across the country and has presented internationally at Colegio Menor San Francisco near Quito, Ecuador. His performing experience includes seasons with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Nevada Chamber Symphony, the Columbus String Quartet, and a collaborative solo-performance with several members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Laux remains in frequent demand across the nation as an orchestra clinician, conductor, and adjudicator. He enjoys giving back to the string and orchestra community through “The Orchestra Teacher” website, YouTube channel, and podcast.
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