String Requirements

Viola, Cello, Bass Technique Juries
Each vocal studies major is expected to participate in juries as prescribed by their degree program. Vocal studies faculty specify the following:

YEAR ONE
3 octave scales: 1st semester G, Bb; 2nd semester A, Ab, C (major and both forms of minor

Bowing:
Slurs: (8, 12, and 24)

Combination bowings: 3 slurred - 3 seperate 4 slurred - 4 seperate 8 detache - 8 spiccato Viotti Stroke

On one bow strokes: 2 slurred-2 staccato 3 slurred - 3 staccato 4 slurred - 4 staccato 8 slurred - 8 staccato

3 octave arpeggios:Flesch Scale System sequence of 7 arpeggios per tonal center

Bowing:
Slurs:
3(4 for diminished and dominant)
9 (12 for diminished and dominant)

Double stops: same keys as above (major and harmonic minor) 1st smemster: octaves only
2nd semester: add in 3rds and 6ths

Double stop scales start on the G string with the lowest poisible dyad Bowing: seperate, and slurs up to 4 dyads per bow (thirds)

YEAR TWO
3 octave scales and arpeggios: B, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#
Bowing: same as above, specific strokes

1 octave, 1 string scales and arpegios (Flesch sequence)
Bowing:
one bow each way in scales
one bow for each arpeggio

1st semester: 2 octave chromatic scales in first position, both fingerings
2nd semester: add third octave (up to Eb)
Double stops: same keys as for three octave scales (3rd, 6ths, octaves)


Violin Technique Juries
This section can be downloaded as a printable pdf file by cicking here.

All music majors taking one‐hour violin lessons will prepare and perform a technique jury near the middle of each semester of study. The purpose of this jury is twofold: it emphasizes the importance of a technical foundation in violin playing, and it affords student and teachers alike the opportunity to assess technical prowess and progress at periodic intervals.

A solid fundamental technique is essential and indispensable to artistry on any instrument. Few musicians favor working on technique over repertoire. Yet any successful artist will likely tell you that there are no shortcuts; no way to attain a masterful knowledge of the violin without regular, extensive, and disciplined commitment to learning technique. Students’ approaches to technique juries tend to fall into one of two categories: many focus intently on passing each jury as it comes up, then relegate technical study to a lower priority until a few weeks prior to the next jury. This approach may serve to get past the jury process, but it will fall well short of attaining and maintaining crucial skills and habits that make violin playing easier on all repertoire.

A much better approach is to develop a daily regimen of technical practice that incorporates a multitude of technical studies on a regularly rotating basis. A student who takes this approach will find that technique juries aren’t unduly stressful, since they will be performing familiar and well‐rehearsed tasks. A two‐ or three‐hour regimen can be spread across two or three days and repeated, thereby making each day’s workload reasonable while ensuring sufficient familiarity through repetition.

The jury will generally be performed in two rooms. The first portion will consist of assigned fundamentals found on the following pages. Next, you will go immediately to the second location and perform etudes as assigned by your studio teacher. The jury is graded pass/fail, as are its separate components. Students who do not pass any or all of the jury will need to repeat the failed portion in a group session at a later date in the semester, and will be assessed a point reduction in their studio grade. Students failing the repeat jury will need to demonstrate appropriate remedial progress before continuing in the ensuing semester. Please note that any material repeated may be requested in any assigned key, and is not limited to the key requested at the initial jury!

Should you have questions about the jury, please ask your studio teacher for clarification.