Textbook for a specified musical instrument or a selected problem of playing a certain instrument
In music, a method is a kind of
textbook for a specified
musical instrument or a selected problem of playing a certain instrument.
A method usually contains
fingering charts or
tablatures, etc.,
scales and numerous different
exercises, sometimes also simple
etudes, in different
keys, in ascending order as to difficulty (= in methodical progression) or with a focus on isolated aspects like fluency,
rhythm,
dynamics,
articulation and the like. Sometimes there are even
recital pieces, also with accompaniment. Such methods differ from etude books in that they are meant as a linear course for a student to follow, with consistent guidance, whereas volumes of etudes are not as comprehensive.
As typical instrumental methods are meant to function as textbooks supporting an instrumental teacher (rather than to facilitate self-teaching), usually no basic or special playing techniques are covered in any depth. Detailed instructions in this respect are only found in special,
autodidactical methods.
Some methods are especially tailored for students on certain
skill levels or
stages of psychosocial development. In contrast, a 'complete' method (sometimes in multiple volumes) is meant to accompany the student until he or she becomes an advanced player.
Methods of certain authors or editors have achieved the status of standard works (reflecting regional and cultural differences) and are published or reissued by different
publishing companies and in diverse (new)
arrangements. The
Suzuki Method is probably the most well known example of this.
The following is a list of various methods of historical interest.
Edgar Bara. Méthode de Mandoline et Banjoline (1903). Still in print.
Bartolomeo Bortolazzi. Method in German, Anweisung die Mandoline von selbst zu erlernen nebst einigen Uebungsstucken von Bortolazzi (1805)
Giuseppe Bellenghi. Method for the mandolin in three parts (Pub in French, English, Italian, German), La ginnastica del mandolino, Ascending and descending major and minor scales in all positions for the mandolin
Giuseppe Branzoli. A Theoretical and practical method for the mandolin (1875, 2nd edition 1890)
Ferdinando de Cristofaro. Méthode de mandolin (Paris, 1884) English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish versions
Giovanni Cifolelli. Method for the mandolin (date unknown, estimated 1760s)
Carlo Curti. Complete Method for the Mandolin (1896) English.
Pietro Denis. Méthode pour apprendre à jouer de la mandoline sans Maître (1768, French)
George H. Hucke. Forty Progressive Studies for the Mandoline (London, 1893, English)
Silvio Ranieri. L'Art de la Mandoline in 4 Bänden, Die Kunst des Mandolinspiels, in 5 Sprachen (französich, deutsch, englisch, italienisch und holländisch)
Casorti, August. The Techniques of Bowing (Technik des Bogens und des rechten Handgelenks für Violine; Bogen-Technik für Violine), Op. 50 (published 1880)
Rosen, Lawrence, Ed. CD Sheet Music. Verona, NJ: Subito Music, Corp., 2000–2009.
Schwartz, Richard. The cornet compendium: The history and development of the nineteenth-century cornet. 2000. (
Chapter 5: Tutors)
Spaniol, Doug. "A history of the Weissenborn Practical method for bassoon" in Ewell, Terry. Celebrating Double Reeds: A Festschrift for William Waterhouse and Philip Bate. 2009.
Textbook for a specified musical instrument or a selected problem of playing a certain instrument
In music, a method is a kind of
textbook for a specified
musical instrument or a selected problem of playing a certain instrument.
A method usually contains
fingering charts or
tablatures, etc.,
scales and numerous different
exercises, sometimes also simple
etudes, in different
keys, in ascending order as to difficulty (= in methodical progression) or with a focus on isolated aspects like fluency,
rhythm,
dynamics,
articulation and the like. Sometimes there are even
recital pieces, also with accompaniment. Such methods differ from etude books in that they are meant as a linear course for a student to follow, with consistent guidance, whereas volumes of etudes are not as comprehensive.
As typical instrumental methods are meant to function as textbooks supporting an instrumental teacher (rather than to facilitate self-teaching), usually no basic or special playing techniques are covered in any depth. Detailed instructions in this respect are only found in special,
autodidactical methods.
Some methods are especially tailored for students on certain
skill levels or
stages of psychosocial development. In contrast, a 'complete' method (sometimes in multiple volumes) is meant to accompany the student until he or she becomes an advanced player.
Methods of certain authors or editors have achieved the status of standard works (reflecting regional and cultural differences) and are published or reissued by different
publishing companies and in diverse (new)
arrangements. The
Suzuki Method is probably the most well known example of this.
The following is a list of various methods of historical interest.
Edgar Bara. Méthode de Mandoline et Banjoline (1903). Still in print.
Bartolomeo Bortolazzi. Method in German, Anweisung die Mandoline von selbst zu erlernen nebst einigen Uebungsstucken von Bortolazzi (1805)
Giuseppe Bellenghi. Method for the mandolin in three parts (Pub in French, English, Italian, German), La ginnastica del mandolino, Ascending and descending major and minor scales in all positions for the mandolin
Giuseppe Branzoli. A Theoretical and practical method for the mandolin (1875, 2nd edition 1890)
Ferdinando de Cristofaro. Méthode de mandolin (Paris, 1884) English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish versions
Giovanni Cifolelli. Method for the mandolin (date unknown, estimated 1760s)
Carlo Curti. Complete Method for the Mandolin (1896) English.
Pietro Denis. Méthode pour apprendre à jouer de la mandoline sans Maître (1768, French)
George H. Hucke. Forty Progressive Studies for the Mandoline (London, 1893, English)
Silvio Ranieri. L'Art de la Mandoline in 4 Bänden, Die Kunst des Mandolinspiels, in 5 Sprachen (französich, deutsch, englisch, italienisch und holländisch)
Casorti, August. The Techniques of Bowing (Technik des Bogens und des rechten Handgelenks für Violine; Bogen-Technik für Violine), Op. 50 (published 1880)
Rosen, Lawrence, Ed. CD Sheet Music. Verona, NJ: Subito Music, Corp., 2000–2009.
Schwartz, Richard. The cornet compendium: The history and development of the nineteenth-century cornet. 2000. (
Chapter 5: Tutors)
Spaniol, Doug. "A history of the Weissenborn Practical method for bassoon" in Ewell, Terry. Celebrating Double Reeds: A Festschrift for William Waterhouse and Philip Bate. 2009.