The purpose of this study was to review research studies in the area of string technique and pedagogy. Nearly 50 research reports were reviewed and categorized into those concerned with predictions of success in a string program, class organization, and the development of right- and left-hand position. Results of various studies were reported and implications for teaching were discussed.

Each and every day string educators are asked to decide how best to teach their students. Many base decisions on the ideas of influential pedagogues such as Shinichi Suzuki or Paul Rolland, or recall the way that they themselves were taught. Teachers also draw from personal observations in the classroom and anecdotes from other teachers. Research in string education may also be used as a basis for choosing between alternative methods of instruction.

Many teachers, though, are unaware of the string education research that has been conducted, and the direct implications of this research on everyday teaching. The studies cited in this article directly address commonplace problems and the results can serve to guide teachers in their decision making. String education research is a very young field and the purpose of the Journal of String Research is to highlight the need for string research and disseminate this research, not just to other researchers, but to string teachers.

The purpose of this article was to collect research focusing only on the teaching of string technique. Studies which reviewed method books or were descriptions of specific pedagogues, such as the Suzuki method, were not included. Also not included in this review were studies which developed and tested new methods which have not since been published and thus would not be widely available to the public school string teacher. This survey will focus on a number of questions which have, in one form or another, been explored by researchers.

Figure 1a. Fixed bowing pattern
Figure 1b. Variable bowing pattern
Figure 1c. Fixed pattern of similar length to variable bowing pattern