The purpose of this study was to investigate the rates, widths, and pitches of university double bass players' vibrato in relation to pitch height, fingers used, and tempo. Forty (N = 40) undergraduate and graduate double bass players performed excerpts in first, fourth, and thumb positions. The overall mean vibrato rate and width was 5.17 Hz and…

Kantorski examined string education doctoral research between 1935 and 1992 and highlighted potential future areas of research. In this content analysis, I examined dissertations in string education between 1992 and 2022 to determine current trends of doctoral research. I reviewed 393 string education dissertations and coded each to determine the…

The purpose of this article is to revisit the biomechanical concepts of Paul Rolland's scholarship on bowing to provide a new framework of Rolland's underlying bowing principles. First, we discuss how whole body movements help facilitate natural bowing, which can generate better tone efficiently from freedom of movement. Second, we attend to the…

Utilizing Participatory Action Research (PAR), this study centered on the experiences of three young string players and a violin instructor employing storytelling as an approach to enhance expressiveness. Collaborating with the violin instructor to craft an initial approach and framework for the young string players, it was revealed that…

This paper, presented upon receiving the Outstanding Long-Term Achievement in String Research Award at the 2025 American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, explores how faculty at non-doctoral institutions overcame challenges related to limited time and institutional support in developing a body of research…

This work presents an analysis of the didactic literature for the initial learning of intonation on violin and viola. Analysis has been conducted through a document-analysis design of 86 methods. The chosen analytic categories were: (1) contents (number of pitches and sequence of pitches presentation); (2) pedagogy (teaching approach and use of…

Playing the violin demands highly skilled motor performance, including advanced bimanual coordination and controlled, independent movement of fingers. Through existing literature, the current study aims to demonstrate how young children's motor development relates to the motor demands of violin playing, specifically the demands on the left hand,…

The purpose of this study was to examine featured articles ("n" = 376) and authors ("n" = 415) published in the "American String Teacher" from 2000 through 2019. Articles were coded into 1 of 24 categories using a researcher-designed codebook based on article content. Authors were coded into one of four professional…

Understanding the potential relationships between musicians' different primary personality traits, ages, and their music preferences could be relevant in music teaching and learning. We surveyed participants (N = 362) from four groups: middle school orchestra students, high school orchestra students, collegiate orchestra students, and in-service…

This study was designed to explore nonstring specialists' comfort teaching students in string ensembles. Comfort was defined as an individual's ease when teaching the subject matter. Data were gathered, using a 7-point Likert-type scale related to 15 string topics administered through a researcher-developed study. Participants ("N" =…

This study evaluates the dimensions of fractional-size violin bows in relation to the anthropometric and grip-strength measurements of children and adults. In string education, various methods and devices have been put forward to measure children for the correct violin size, but there is a lack of research regarding the proper bow size. Results…

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine enrollment in string orchestra instruction across Texas. Three central research questions guided the investigation: (a) How well is orchestra represented in districts and schools across the state of Texas? (b) What are the characteristics (FRPL eligibility, locale, student race/ethnicity,…

The purpose of this survey study was to describe technologies and lesson formats used in virtual applied studio string lessons precipitated by shelter-in-place measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore teachers' adaptations, perceptions of effectiveness, and feelings toward virtual lessons. Research questions that guided…

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine school string teachers' beliefs about and practices of teaching nontraditional music courses. We surveyed middle and high school string teachers (N = 42) about what nontraditional music courses and ensembles (NMCEs) they currently offer and would like to offer to their students. In addition, we…

At the 2020 American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Conference held in Orlando Florida, an attendee of the Wellness Committee Listening Session recommended that a study be conducted to determine the prevalence and awareness of mental health concerns among students and teachers within the organization. Members agreed that there is more needed…