Alternative Strings—the New Curriculum

American Music Teacher, Oct-Nov, 2004 by William Terwilliger

Alternative Strings--The New Curriculum, by Julie Lyonn Lieberman. Amadeus Press, LLC (512 Newark Pompton Tnpk., Pompton Plains, NJ 07444), 2004. 184pp. $24.95.

Did you know there are nearly thirty folk, jazz, rock and world styles of string playing that fail under the recently established term "alternative"? Julie Lyonn Lieberman, one of the foremost experts, performers and enthusiastic exponents of alternative (non-classical) string playing, goes to great lengths to educate us in her ambitious new book entitled Alternative Strings--The New Curriculum. Lieberman contends that we are in danger of losing present and future generations of string students due to lack of interest and enthusiasm in the "same old" classical education. This book is designed as both as1 inspiration and basic reference guide for teachers who wish to invigorate their string programs by exposing students to various jazz, rock and folk styles.

Whether the situation is quite as dire as Lieberman suggests is open to debate, but this alternative trend has gained undeniable momentum. In the first several chapters, prefaced by a list of bubbling student testimonials, Lieberman emphatically drives home the point that if we provide students opportunities to learn, improvise and express themselves more freely through these more flexible playing styles, they ultimately will become more creative and engaged young musicians with an increased awareness and respect for a diversity of musical art forms.

There is an impressive amount of information in this well-organized book, which includes detailed descriptions of many alternative styles. Lieberman also describes many other string styles from around the world. Along with a description of each style, she includes profiles of prominent artists and listings of suggested recordings, videos, reference books and methods. Lieberman provides advice ranging from technical and bowing exercises to suggestions for instruments, equipment and amplification methods, but you would need a more detailed and specialized book for all necessary information. An attached CD recording contains more verbal wisdom from prominent alternative performers. This book is a valuable resource and a "springboard" for teachers who want to pursue this new trend in string education. Reviewed by William Terwilliger, Columbia, South Carolina.