About the Book
Easy As Do - Re - Mi, complete in two books, is a modern method for teaching strings in a classroom setting, based on time-honored principles of noted pedagogues of the past. It is a method for teachers with differing backgrounds, training, and expertise, who are looking for a guide to teaching note reading that is logical, sequential, and easy to understand. The fundamentals of string playing are introduced, one at a time, on uncluttered pages, with a solid emphasis on finger patterns. Endorsed by Carrie Lane Gruselle, well known educator, it has proven to be extremely successful in the many schools where this series has been tested, and its strength lies in its simplicity. In this first book of the Easy As Do-Re-Mi series, you will find a very simple approach to learning to play the bass. It is designed to teach you to read the notes in a way that is logical, sequential, and easy to understand. The music on the early pages remains simple, so you can concentrate on note reading. The fundamentals of bass playing are introduced, one at a time, on uncluttered pages, with a solid emphasis on finger patterns. You can concentrate on learning to read music without the distractions of pictures, graphics, lyrics, or any other material on the pages. In Book I, you will learn: 1.the bass hold and bow hold, 2.the care of the bass and bow, 3.rote introduction - playing the beginning notes in a scale, without looking at any music, 4.the importance of listening, 5.to identify the notes on the page without playing them, 6.to learn to play the notes of a scale, one at a time, 7.to play many unison folk songs and tunes from the classics, and 8.to play music in 4-part harmony.
About the Author: Author Jennie Lou Klim received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in violin performance. Following college she continued her studies at teacher training and ASTA chamber music workshops at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; Chautauqua, NY; Bolzano, Italy; and Lausanne, Switzerland. As a professional violinist, she played in the Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton, OH; Tampa Philharmonic, Tampa FL; Johnstown Symphony, Johnstown, PA; Orchestra Nova, Pittsburgh, PA; Westmoreland Symphony, Greensburg, PA; and Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne, FL. She served as concertmaster and soloist with the International Cathedral Music Festival in Salisbury, Coventry, and London, England. As an educator, she taught students from age 4 to adult in her private studio; began string programs in public school systems; directed summer string camps; and conducted workshops with beginning and established strings teachers. Her former students play professionally as members of symphony orchestras, teaching privately and in the public school systems. As an author, she wrote method books for the private teachers of violin, viola, cello, and bass, unison string method books for the classroom, and numerous etude and solo collections for beginning string students. Gratitude I owe a debt of gratitude to musical colleagues who offered pedagogical advice; to my students who gave me insight; and to my husband, for his countless hours of proofreading the multiple revisions over the years. His total support and understanding made it possible to complete Easy As Do - Re - Mi.
