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Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercises!

9/10/2023

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Celebrating This New
Third Position Exercise Book for Violin!

Learn the third position finger patterns in the 12 major keys.
Improve intonation, muscle memory, and agility in third position!
Work on reaching 4th finger harmonic from third position.

Learn More!

Here Are Some
Free Violin Preparatory Exercises!

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 1

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 1

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 2

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 2

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 3

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 3

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 4

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 4

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 5

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 5

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 6

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 6

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 7

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 7

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 8

Free Preparatory Third Position Violin Exercise No. 8

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Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39!

6/5/2023

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Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39!

Teaching is often an act of quiet service.

When I went to research more about Franz Wohlfahrt's life, I discovered that he was the son of a piano teacher. He himself studied with Ferdinand David. He wrote books for his students. And that's about all there is; Franz Wohlfahrt seems to have lived a life outside of the history books.

However,

The impact that Wohlfahrt had on violin teaching is undeniable; he left us with some wonderful etudes that are still played today! His etudes make students solid. Wohlfahrt's Etudes Op. 45 have been transcribed for viola in a number of different editions and also for advanced cello by Paul Gruemmer. I love to play Gruemmer's cello transcription in my own practice! (This is a link to that book with sample pages.)

Here are some free preparatory exercises for Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

This transcription of the etude for cello is set at an intermediate level (easier than those in the Gruemmer book) and works on shifting, string crossing, and playing across strings in position.

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 1

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 2

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 3

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 4

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 5

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 6

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 7

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 8

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 9

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 10

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 12

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 13

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 14

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 15

Free Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 16

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Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39!

6/5/2023

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Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39!

Teaching is often an act of quiet service.

However,

Here are some free preparatory exercises for Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

These exercises help you work on third position, string crossing, intonation, and more. At the end of this mini book, the complete etude is included.

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 1

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 2

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 3

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 4

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 5

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 6

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 7

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 8

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 9

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 10

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 11

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 12

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 13

Free Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 14

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Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39!

5/26/2023

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Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39!

Teaching is often an act of quiet service.

However,

Here are some free preparatory exercises for Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

These exercises help you work on third position, string crossing, intonation, and more. At the end of this mini book, the complete etude is included.

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 1

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 2

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 3

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 4

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 5

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 6

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 7

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 8

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 9

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 10

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 11

Free Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt Etude No. 39: 12

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Mini Open String Workouts for Viola, Part Three!

3/18/2023

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Free Mini Open String Workouts for Viola, Part Three

Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

We are excited to release Open String Bow Workouts for Viola, Book Three!
Focusing on bow control, this book has exercises that help your brain tell your right hand exactly what to do to make the sound you want.

Sample Page from the Book

In this sample page from the book, your right arm is trained to play at the tip of the bow. Most of the time, we tend to be "frog-focused" and only rarely travel to the tip.

However, it's important to be comfortable playing everywhere on the bow and working on an exercise that is "tip-focused" can help you feel more comfortable there.

Sample page from Open String Bow Workouts for Viola Book Three

Some of my other favorite parts in the book work on bow starts and bow landings. When I was a student, nobody worked with me on smooth starts and building enough bow control to land on the string cleanly. Instead, my teachers simply told me to "work on tone."

Needless to say, it wasn't until I came across the great Simon Fischer book "Basics" as an adult that I realized that all of the motions that give us good bow control can be taught. I'm exceedingly grateful for his contribution to string study!

A series of books on better bowing

When I edited the first book of Open String Bow Workouts, I was excited to hear a difference in my tone and feel a difference in my handling of the bow. Your comments and support for the books have been much appreciated and have given me inspiration to continue to write more bow training exercises for open strings. This is the third book in the series (so far!)

Free Mini Workouts to Celebrate!

We are excited to release these 10 mini bow exercises for cello in the style of Open String Bow Workouts for Viola, Book Three! To download a free PDF that you can save to your device or print, see the form below.

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 1

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 2

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 3

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 4

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 5

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 6

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 7

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 8

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 9

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 10

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Mini Open String Exercises for Violin, Part Three!

3/18/2023

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Free Mini Open String Workouts for Violin, Part Three

Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

We are excited to release Open String Bow Workouts for Violin, Book Three!
Focusing on bow control, this book has exercises that help your brain tell your right hand exactly what to do to make the sound you want.

Sample Page from the Book

Sample page from Open String Bow Workouts for Violin Book Three

Some of my other favorite parts in the book work on bow starts and bow landings. When I was an intermediate student, nobody worked with me on smooth starts and building enough bow control to land on the string cleanly. Instead, my teacher simply told me to work on tone.

Needless to say, it wasn't until I came across the great Simon Fischer book "Basics" as an adult that I realized that all of the motions that give us good bow control can be taught. I'm exceedingly grateful for his contribution to string study!

A series of books on better bowing

Free Mini Workouts to Celebrate!

We are excited to release these 10 mini bow exercises for cello in the style of Open String Bow Workouts for Violin, Book Three! To download a free PDF that you can save to your device or print, see the form below.

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 1

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 2

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 3

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 4

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 5

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 6

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 7

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 8

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 9

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 10

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Mini Open String Workouts for Cello, Part Three!

3/17/2023

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Free Mini Open String Workouts for Cello, Part Three

Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

We are excited to release Open String Bow Workouts for Cello, Book Three!
Focusing on bow control, this book has exercises that help your brain tell your right hand exactly what to do to make the sound you want.

Sample Page from the Book

Sample page from Open String Bow Workouts for Cello Book Three

A series of books on better bowing

Free Mini Workouts to Celebrate!

We are excited to release these 10 mini bow exercises for cello in the style of Open String Bow Workouts for Cello, Book Three! To download a free PDF that you can save to your device or print, see the form below.

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 1

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 2

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 3

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 4

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 5

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 6

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 7

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 8

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 9

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 10

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Another Free Christmas Solo/Duet for Strings: Ding, Dong Merrily on High!

11/25/2022

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These days, even small tasks can be complicated!

Recording sample tracks from the new Advent books these past few weeks required a sense of humor! Baby Lilya was absolutely determined to be heard in the outtake below... Having heard Joy to the World quite a lot by now, she even gets a little rhythmic in the middle of the video. 😂

Let's just say that it wasn't the most efficient session...

But we finally managed to get a couple of (mostly) clean takes to put on the product pages; hooray! And despite the challenges, we are loving having baby Lilya in rehearsals, planning sessions, some lessons, and even a performance or two!

We are happy, however,

that we got all of the actual recording done for this Christmas violin and cello CD before the baby was born. It's a little surreal that in all of the craziness of this past year that a second duo CD release was possible.

Learn More

Note: We encourage you to purchase and review the album on Amazon (rather than here on the website) because we really need reviews!

There is a lot of excitement about these new Advent books!

Flexible, compatible, and fun, these books give students and musicians material to play each day of the Christmas Advent season.

First, the Warm-Up helps you work on the difficulties in the carol and variation. Then the carol Melody is followed by a Variation on the carol. The Duet part can be played with either the Melody or the Variation. (Please note: it is not recommended to play the Melody along with the Variation).

Learn More

To celebrate the new Advent books

We are releasing two free Christmas carols for violin, viola, and cello. Here is the blog post with the first free Christmas carol, Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

And here is the second free Christmas carol:
Ding Dong Merrily on High!

Note: This solo/duet is compatible between instruments and so are the new Advent books!

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Cello Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Cello Christmas Carol

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Free Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice! (In dulci jubilo)

11/20/2022

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New Album Release for Violin and Cello!

Music + Baby = Fun but Exhausting Rehearsals

People say that having a baby changes everything. It most certainly has changed Myanna's life completely. But it has also changed our writing and publishing and performing and teaching. We had the idea for String Duo Christmas nearly two years ago, and started mapping out the project.

While Myanna was expecting, we were in the

middle of intense recording sessions. We finished the final recording session just in time: three weeks before the baby was born.

Lilya has heard more Christmas music in her life than she knows what to do with. In fact, between the album and the new Advent books that are being released this fall, and all the Christmas-themed rehearsals and lessons she will listed to, she will probably think that Christmas is year-round...

She was (almost) as excited as we were when the CDs came...

You can learn more about the album here:

Learn More

Once the restocking issues are worked out in a week or so, we encourage you to purchase and review the album on Amazon because we really need reviews!

This year, we are releasing three Advent study books!

These books have warm-up exercises, carol melodies, and carol variations for every day of the Christmas season; a sort of music advent calendar!

Learn More

Looking for a stress-free solo or duo gig book this holiday season? Whether you want just the basics or something a little fancier, these tunes and variations are all completely sight-readable. With interchangeable harmonies so both instruments can take the lead, and an easy-to-read layout for those low light situations, these books are an effortless way to expand your holiday rep!

Violin Takes the Lead!

Cello Takes the Lead!

To celebrate these releases, here is a free compatible solo and duet version of Good Christian Men, Rejoice! (In dulci jubilo)

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 1: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Free Violin Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 2: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 1: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Free Viola Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 2: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 1: Free Cello Christmas Carol

Free Cello Christmas Solo and Duet: Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

Good Christian Men, Rejoice, Page 2: Free Cello Christmas Carol

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Free Preparatory Exercises for the Squire Tarantella!

9/17/2022

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Free Preparatory Exercises for the Squire Tarantella

Exciting New Release for Cello!

The Squire Tarantella for Cello Practice Edition has Preparatory Exercises for each difficult part of the piece. Then, the book continues with study notes: the entire Tarantella with positions, extensions, rhythm, and more marked for you! A performance edition of the piece comes next, then a cello duet that was written specifically for the Tarantella, and the piano accompaniment, and finally Cello Curriculum pages that show you where the Tarantella could fit in a traditional course of study.

Here is an overview of what's in the book:

Sample pages from the book:

Learn More About the Book

To Celebrate the Release of the New Tarantella Book

Cassia has written a set of all-new Free Preparatory Exercises that are not included in the book!
You can use these extra exercises to work on agility and shifting before you start work on the Tarantella and help to make your study easier.

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 1

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 1

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 2

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 2

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 3

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 3

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 4

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 4

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 5

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 5

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 6

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 6

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 7

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 7

Squire Tarantella - Exercise 8

Free Squire Tarantella Preparatory Exercise No. 8

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Celebrating This New​Third Position Exercise Book for Violin!

Here Are Some​Free Violin Preparatory Exercises!

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 1

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 2

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 3 ​

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 4 ​

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 5 ​

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 6 ​

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 7 ​

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 8 ​

Sign Up to Get a Free PDF Copy of these Studies!

Teaching is often an act of quiet service.

​However,

​Here are some free preparatory exercises for Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

​Sign up to get a Free PDF copy of these Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

Teaching is often an act of quiet service.

However,

Here are some free preparatory exercises for Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

​Sign up to get a Free PDF copy of these Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

Teaching is often an act of quiet service.

However,

Here are some free preparatory exercises for Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

Sign up to get a Free PDF copy of these Violin Studies on Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

​Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

​Sample Page from the Book

​A series of books on better bowing

Free Mini Workouts to Celebrate!

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 1

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 2

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 3

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 4

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 5

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 6

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 7

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 8

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 9

Free Mini Viola Bowing Workout No. 10

Sign Up to Get Free PDFs of these Mini Open String Bow Workouts for Viola!

Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

Sample Page from the Book

A series of books on better bowing

Free Mini Workouts to Celebrate!

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 1

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 2

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 3

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 4

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 5

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 6

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 7

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 8

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 9

Free Mini Violin Bowing Workout No. 10

​Sign Up to Get Free PDFs of these Mini Open String Bow Workouts for Violin!

​Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

Sample Page from the Book

A series of books on better bowing

Free Mini Workouts to Celebrate!

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 1

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 2

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 3

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 4

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 5

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 6

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 7

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 8

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 9

Free Mini Cello Bowing Workout No. 10

​Sign Up to Get Free PDFs of these Mini Open String Bow Workouts for Cello!

These days, even small tasks can be complicated!

Let's just say that it wasn't the most efficient session...

We are happy, however,

There is a lot of excitement about these new Advent books!

To celebrate the new Advent books

And here is the second free Christmas carol:​Ding Dong Merrily on High!

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Violin Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 1: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Page 2: Free Viola Christmas Carol

Celebrating This New
Third Position Exercise Book for Violin!

Here Are Some
Free Violin Preparatory Exercises!

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 3

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 4

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 5

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 6

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 7

Preparatory Violin Finger Exercise No. 8

However,

Here are some free preparatory exercises for Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

Sign up to get a Free PDF copy of these Cello Studies on Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

Sign up to get a Free PDF copy of these Viola Studies on Wohlfahrt's Etude No. 39 (Op. 45)!

Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

Sample Page from the Book

A series of books on better bowing

Sign Up to Get Free PDFs of these Mini Open String Bow Workouts for Violin!

Free Exercises to Celebrate Release of the New Book!

Sign Up to Get Free PDFs of these Mini Open String Bow Workouts for Cello!

And here is the second free Christmas carol:
Ding Dong Merrily on High!