Integrating Strings into Your Jazz Program

Addresses some of the fundamental obstacles educators face regarding the education of string in jazz, and offers solutions to encourage all jazz teachers to give strings a chance. Discusses the possibility of amplified string instruments. Contends that many people believe that it is more difficult to improvise on bowed string instruments, but string players new to jazz just lack experience and need to hear inspiring examples of string improvisation. Argues that rather than detracting from students' classical playing, improvisation helps students use the full range of the instrument and discover all sorts of radical bowing techniques years before they would come across something similar in a virtuoso classical composition.