The purpose of this study was to examine the life of Helen Marla Mutschler (b. 1935) and her contributions to string education. The study is divided into a prologue, five chapters, and an epilogue. The chapters are titled as follows: Beginnings (1932¬-1956), Journey to the Doctorate (1956-1973), Collegiate Teaching (1972-1983), Collegiate Teaching (1983-1999), and Retirement (1999-2012).Mutschler, violinist and string pedagogue, dedicated her career to teaching tension-free playing--the method of Paul Rolland. Mutschler served as a research assistant and later research associate to Rolland during the University of Illinois String Research Project (1966-67). Although her career was not highly publicized, she remained in the spotlight for many years appearing in Rolland workshops in Australia, Europe, and North America. In 2009, the American String Teachers Association presented Mutschler with the Paul Rolland Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing her contributions to the field. Mutschler's contributions to string education include teacher, performer, advocate, and presenter.

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Denna uppsats syftar till att utveckla en förståelse för hur stråkinstrumentundervisning kan bedrivas då syftet är att lära ut en ergonomisk riktig spelteknik som förebygger hälsoproblem. Fokus i studien har varit på nybörjarundervisning samt HUR elever spelar. Studien har genomförts med hjälp av kvalitativ metod. Sex ergonomiskt kunniga och intresserade musiker och pedagoger har intervjuats. Deras specialområden är musikerergonom, sjukgymnast, kontrabasist, forskare, alexandertekniklärare och cellopedagog. Den kunskapsöversikt som presenteras i uppsatsen handlar om förhindrande av musikrelaterade hälsoproblem, utveckling av en fri spelteknik samt några pedagogiska konsekvenser utifrån fallstudier som gjorts på barn. Alexanderteknik, som bland annat handlar om effektiv muskelanvändning och ändring av felaktiga vanor, utgör den teoretiska utgångspunkten för studien. Resultatet visar bland annat att stråkinstrumentundervisning på ergonomisk grund ska utgå från läraren och dennes interaktion med eleven och kräver att läraren har kunskap och medvetenhet om ämnet ergonomi. Vidare visar resultatet på betydelsen av att i undervisningen prioritera kvalitet framför kvantitet, att anpassa undervisningen efter elevens olika muskulära och psykiska förutsättningar och att se eleven i ett helhetsperspektiv. Exempel på viktiga moment i tillvägagångssätt för stråkundervisning på ergonomisk grund handlar om att bevaka elevens lust och ha en sund balans i progressionen. / The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding in how teaching strings can emphasize an ergonomic way of playing, thus preventing health problems. Focus has been how to teach beginners as well as HOW to play. The study has been carried out with a qualitative method. Six musicians and teachers with ergonomics as a special field have been interviewed. They are a physiotherapist, a double bassist, a researcher, a teacher in Alexander Technique and a teacher in cello. The findings of the study deal with the prevention of musician-related injuries, developing a free playing technique, and educational consequences from a few case studies of children. The Alexander Technique, which among other aspects, deals with the effective use of muscles and changing wrong habits, is the theoretical starting point of the study. The result indicates, among other things, evidence that teaching strings in an ergonomic perspective should start with the teacher and his/her interaction with the pupil, and requires that the teacher possesses a knowledge and awareness of ergonomics. Furthermore, the result gives evidence of the importance in giving priority to quality instead of quantity, adjusting the teaching to the pupil’s different physical and psychical conditions and also viewing the pupil in a comprehensive perspective. Checking the pupil’s mindset and having a good balance of the progression, are examples of important elements in teaching strings.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo principal elaborar um plano de ações com alternativas na preparação e colocação da mão esquerda no violino para estudantes de violino. Desenvolveu-se em um estudo experimental, com seis estudantes do Conservatório e da Graduação da Universidade de Caldas na Colômbia. O processo de investigação foi fundamentado em quatro tópicos: (1) a análise do posicionamento inicial da mão, dedos e braço esquerdo, (2) a introdução de padrões motores e de movimentos alternativos, (3) a comparação da mão esquerda antes e depois do plano de ações alternativas, e (4) a avaliação do plano de ações. Este estudo incluiu a coleta de dados por meio de registro de vídeo antes e depois das ações propostas. Esta proposta procura possíveis soluções para tensões musculoesqueléticas, que estão na origem da colocação inadequada dos dedos, mão e braço. O processo teve a fundamentação bibliográfica em Paul Rolland (1911-1981), Ivan Galamian (1903-1981), Carl Flesch (1873-1944), Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) entre outros. / The aim of this investigation was to develop a plan of actions for teaching and/or improving left hand positioning of beginner violin students. The goal was to have a teaching alternative that could help solving musculoskeletal tension, derived from inadequate positioning of fingers, and hand. An experimental study was conducted with six students from the Conservatory of Music and undergraduates of the University of Caldas, Colombia. The investigation was based on four topics: (1) analysis of the initial position of hand, fingers and left arm; (2) teaching of the proposed alternative motor and movement patterns; (3) comparison of the left hand before and after the action plan; and (4) evaluation of the action plan. For data collection during this study, video recording were done before and after the actions. This study was based on the writings of Paul Rolland (1911-1981), Ivan Galamian (1903-1981), Carl Flesch (1873- 1944), Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) among others.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo principal elaborar um plano de ações com alternativas na preparação e colocação da mão esquerda no violino para estudantes de violino. Desenvolveu-se em um estudo experimental, com seis estudantes do Conservatório e da Graduação da Universidade de Caldas na Colômbia. O processo de investigação foi fundamentado em quatro tópicos: (1) a análise do posicionamento inicial da mão, dedos e braço esquerdo, (2) a introdução de padrões motores e de movimentos alternativos, (3) a comparação da mão esquerda antes e depois do plano de ações alternativas, e (4) a avaliação do plano de ações. Este estudo incluiu a coleta de dados por meio de registro de vídeo antes e depois das ações propostas. Esta proposta procura possíveis soluções para tensões musculoesqueléticas, que estão na origem da colocação inadequada dos dedos, mão e braço. O processo teve a fundamentação bibliográfica em Paul Rolland (1911-1981), Ivan Galamian (1903-1981), Carl Flesch (1873-1944), Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) entre outros. / The aim of this investigation was to develop a plan of actions for teaching and/or improving left hand positioning of beginner violin students. The goal was to have a teaching alternative that could help solving musculoskeletal tension, derived from inadequate positioning of fingers, and hand. An experimental study was conducted with six students from the Conservatory of Music and undergraduates of the University of Caldas, Colombia. The investigation was based on four topics: (1) analysis of the initial position of hand, fingers and left arm; (2) teaching of the proposed alternative motor and movement patterns; (3) comparison of the left hand before and after the action plan; and (4) evaluation of the action plan. For data collection during this study, video recording were done before and after the actions. This study was based on the writings of Paul Rolland (1911-1981), Ivan Galamian (1903-1981), Carl Flesch (1873- 1944), Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) among others.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo principal elaborar um plano de ações com alternativas na preparação e colocação da mão esquerda no violino para estudantes de violino. Desenvolveu-se em um estudo experimental, com seis estudantes do Conservatório e da Graduação da Universidade de Caldas na Colômbia. O processo de investigação foi fundamentado em quatro tópicos: (1) a análise do posicionamento inicial da mão, dedos e braço esquerdo, (2) a introdução de padrões motores e de movimentos alternativos, (3) a comparação da mão esquerda antes e depois do plano de ações alternativas, e (4) a avaliação do plano de ações. Este estudo incluiu a coleta de dados por meio de registro de vídeo antes e depois das ações propostas. Esta proposta procura possíveis soluções para tensões musculoesqueléticas, que estão na origem da colocação inadequada dos dedos, mão e braço. O processo teve a fundamentação bibliográfica em Paul Rolland (1911-1981), Ivan Galamian (1903-1981), Carl Flesch (1873-1944), Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) entre outros. / The aim of this investigation was to develop a plan of actions for teaching and/or improving left hand positioning of beginner violin students. The goal was to have a teaching alternative that could help solving musculoskeletal tension, derived from inadequate positioning of fingers, and hand. An experimental study was conducted with six students from the Conservatory of Music and undergraduates of the University of Caldas, Colombia. The investigation was based on four topics: (1) analysis of the initial position of hand, fingers and left arm; (2) teaching of the proposed alternative motor and movement patterns; (3) comparison of the left hand before and after the action plan; and (4) evaluation of the action plan. For data collection during this study, video recording were done before and after the actions. This study was based on the writings of Paul Rolland (1911-1981), Ivan Galamian (1903-1981), Carl Flesch (1873- 1944), Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999) among others.

This paper provides a system that helps diagnose and address the specific challenge to cellists of intonation in any passage. Learning to play consistently in tune is essential for every cellist. In the over three hundred years of cello history, teachers have tried approaching the topic from a variety of perspectives. While each technique is useful in its own right, there is scant attention to how they work together. Viewing intonation through its component sub-skills is the first step toward integrating existing exercises and paving the way for further advances in pedagogy. The following paper categorizes training techniques according to the sub-skills of playing consistently in tune. This approach makes the learning and teaching of intonation manageable and approachable to cellists at all levels. What we do before the note, How we play the note, What we do after the note, and Putting it all together are the four broad categories of sub-skills identified. Within each of these sections, relevant exercises are presented and their efficacy explained. Examples are drawn from a wide range of sources including music education, my own educational experiences, music psychology, the Alexander Technique, cello pedagogy, professional cello teachers’ responses to a questionnaire, physiology, and neuroscience. By integrating published research in these areas, this paper provides a more comprehensive understanding of intonation. Instead of a wealth of techniques each claiming to resolve the challenge of playing in tune, the introduction of sub-skills allows for a methodological approach to intonation pedagogy.

This thesis is directed toward teachers who work primarily with music degree students on the collegiate level. Pedagogy is simply too often "hit or miss" in a student's degree curriculum, and yet the reality is that most musicians will have to teach at some point in their careers, whether they realize it as students or not. This thesis provides a model for how to holistically integrate pedagogy into all aspects of the performance curriculum, so that string performance students are provided with the necessary tools to be both excellent performers and teachers, regardless of whether they ever take a pedagogy class. This is accomplished through: the examination of survey results regarding how schools are incorporating the National Association for Schools of Music requirements and recommendations for the integration of pedagogy into course curricula; an overview of survey results reporting how string performers and educators feel about the quality of the education they received in regards to preparedness for artist string teaching; and a discussion of how to create a holistic curriculum for performance and pedagogy that encompasses the three main areas of most string performance curriculums (the private studio, chamber music, and orchestra). The overarching goal of this thesis is to build on the rich tradition of string playing and teaching that already exists, by introducing a curriculum that will holistically educate the student as both performer and pedagogue. At the heart of this approach is the need for fostering a "see one, do one, teach one" mentality in students.

This quantitative study explores string teachers’ perceptions of citizenship education and its use in the private lesson. Guided by Westheimer and Kahne’s (2004) model of citizenship education the study sought to identify (a) how private string teachers perceive citizenship education, and (b) the factors that influence these perceptions. Four hundred and fifteen (415) members of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) participated in this study by completing an on-line survey that contained both closed and open-ended questions. The resulting data was coded and organized according to the survey questions and the conceptual framework. Research findings revealed that, although teachers did not explicitly consider citizenship education a part of their lessons, their intentions and their report on pedagogical practices could be described as citizenship education when viewed through the conceptual framework used in the study. Indeed, nearly all of the participant responses revealed intentions to include attributes of what Westheimer and Kahne refer to as the Personally Responsible Citizen in their music lessons with students. Educating for traits of other types of citizenship was also reported. Factors deemed influential in string teachers’ perceptions of citizenship education included the following: If the teachers had earned certification in Suzuki pedagogy; the number of years of teaching experience; if teachers self-identified as primarily educators, performers, or both; the age of the students who are taught. Additionally, the study addresses teachers’ statements about the use of competitions, dialogue in lessons, and general attitudes about the appropriateness of citizenship education in several different learning environments. The study findings add to a small but growing body of research that furthers understandings of the links between citizenship education and music education. In addition, the findings contribute to our understanding of the complexity of the relationship between private teachers and their students.

This quantitative study explores string teachers’ perceptions of citizenship education and its use in the private lesson. Guided by Westheimer and Kahne’s (2004) model of citizenship education the study sought to identify (a) how private string teachers perceive citizenship education, and (b) the factors that influence these perceptions. Four hundred and fifteen (415) members of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) participated in this study by completing an on-line survey that contained both closed and open-ended questions. The resulting data was coded and organized according to the survey questions and the conceptual framework. Research findings revealed that, although teachers did not explicitly consider citizenship education a part of their lessons, their intentions and their report on pedagogical practices could be described as citizenship education when viewed through the conceptual framework used in the study. Indeed, nearly all of the participant responses revealed intentions to include attributes of what Westheimer and Kahne refer to as the Personally Responsible Citizen in their music lessons with students. Educating for traits of other types of citizenship was also reported. Factors deemed influential in string teachers’ perceptions of citizenship education included the following: If the teachers had earned certification in Suzuki pedagogy; the number of years of teaching experience; if teachers self-identified as primarily educators, performers, or both; the age of the students who are taught. Additionally, the study addresses teachers’ statements about the use of competitions, dialogue in lessons, and general attitudes about the appropriateness of citizenship education in several different learning environments. The study findings add to a small but growing body of research that furthers understandings of the links between citizenship education and music education. In addition, the findings contribute to our understanding of the complexity of the relationship between private teachers and their students.