Cello ABC: Book E

ColourStrings Cello ABC: Book E continues the Cello ABC series. Book E teaches the new material, the 5 different pentachords, using numerous folk songs and chamber music works. Teachers should choose the music that best suits their pedagogical aims and needs. 


The new element, the minor 2nd interval was introduced by adding the FA and TI notes. Later on these are expanded into the four types of tetrachrods (Major, Minor, Phrygian, Lydian). Melodies based on these tone sets (including 

folk song arrangements) help develop the students' taste and sense of musical character (which is the foundation for understanding the music of the 20th century). The precise and interesting ngerings aid their sense of pitch. 


The four types of tetrachords are: 

DO-RE-MI-FA = SO-LA-TI-DO (major) 

RE-MI-FA-SO = LA-TI-DO-RE (minor) 

MI-FA-SO-LA = TI-DO-RE-MI (Phrygian) 

FA-SO-LA-TI (Lydian) with three major 2nd intervals 


About the Colourstrings® method: 

Colourstrings® is child-centred.  The materials are colourful, stimulating and entice children to embark on musical adventures that will enable each of them to fulfil their musical potential through fun and creativity, without pressure.  It is an extension of the Kodály philosophy: everything starts with singing to develop inner hearing.  Central to the approach is the role of play and imagination – often the value of play can be overlooked in the rush to get on with the ‘real’ lesson. 


Colourstrings® is a Kodaly based, child centred approach to music education that has been in existence since the early 1970's. Its originators, the Hungarian brothers Géza and Csába Szilvay, revolutionised music education in Finland to such an extent that Colourstrings® has become an integral part of the state music school system there.


Colourstrings® has gained an outstanding reputation for the skill of its teachers, the success of its students and the inspiring ideas that drive it: 


”This excellent method for the young musical generation has proved to be really very successful. It is by now a fully established method and has already produced many fine string players.” MAX ROSTAL (The Late Professor, CBE, Honorary President ESTA)