Der Saßmannshaus - an unparalleled success story!
	For decades, more than half a million children have successfully mastered the “Früher Anfang” on the violin, viola and cello. The Saßmannshaus method has become an absolute classic among string methods. The methods and the individual instrumental books are now available in a new edition. The internationally known children’s book illustrator Charlotte Panowsky has created delightful and imaginative illustrations for the pieces. Text and music are presented in an attractive layout with music notation suitable for children. What has remained are the tried and tested pieces and exercises which have guaranteed generations of young string players a sound musical training. The Saßmannshaus methods succeed because of the finely graded structure of the teaching and practice material. After the introduction featuring open strings and basic note values, the “cuckoo call” follows as a basic interval. Book one introduces all the fingers, using nursery rhymes in note values ranging from whole notes to eighth notes [quavers]. Simple exercises also have lyrics so that the singing aspect can be emphasised and the melodies can be learned as a whole piece. Book two includes two-part classical instrumental pieces. It introduces dotted notes, sixteenth notes [semiquavers] and the first double stops, as well as high and low finger positions. The volume is pioneering with the early introduction of upper positions with familiar pieces. The main focus of book three is playing duets in different time signatures and keys. Previously learned finger patterns and bow strokes are practised and consolidated. Finally, book four builds on playing in positions, introduces new bow strokes and uses these in increasingly demanding classical duets. Since their publication, the method has been a reliable basic tutor for teachers, and offers diverse material for pupils.