Creative Strings Shop

Welcome! Here you’ll find a variety of intensive subject- specific courses, easy to digest ebooks, and downloadable resources.

You can purchase any of the below to download and keep, or get streaming access to all products below for a low monthly subscription (cancel anytime) via Creative Strings Academy..

Our courses have helped thousands of pros, amateurs, teachers and students to be more versatile and creative while enjoying the process of practicing and making music.

Creative Strings Academy

Creative Strings Academy Membership

Everything you need to start developing the creative string player in you today

200+ online videos & materials, including many of the products sold below
24/7 access to videos and supplementary materials
downloadable worksheets and extras that you can keep FOREVER
Convenient monthly subscription

Join Now! Cancel anytime.

Price: 57.00/month

Essential Literature

Jazz Scales for Violin, Viola, and Cello (eBook)

Optimize your practice time and develop harmonic fluency.
Learn scales commonly used in Jazz and other contemporary styles.
Scales are written out in all twelve keys for violin, viola, and cello in extended range
Skill Level: All levels. Exercises lie within first position on the violin and viola.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $19.95

Price: $14.95

Arpeggios for Jazz Violin, Cello, and Viola (eBook)

Expand your vocabulary and ultimately improvise with greater comfort and ease.
Internalize jazz arpeggios and improve your harmonic fluency.
Contains all commonly used seventh chords are transcribed in all inversions in all twelve keys.
Skill Level: All levels. Exercises lie within first position on the violin and viola.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $19.95

Price: $14.95

Violin Harmony Handbook (eBook)

Learn to build chords on your instrument and navigate the fingerboard harmonically.
This 70-page handbook packed with practical theory, practice exercises, and even solo violin transcriptions and charts.
Includes conceptual, intuitive, and analytical tools for dealing with harmony, along with chord glossaries.
Skill Level: Intermediate and Up

Also included in our Creative Strings Academyand our Jazz Violin Harmony Fundamentals Multimedia Course below

Price: $34.95

Price: $29.95

Electric Violin Training Kit (eBook)

Get plugged in and jamming quickly.
Learn the pros and cons of different gear options including:

Mics, pick-ups, and solid-body instruments
amplifiers and PAs
Effects rigs

Price: $9.99

Easy Tonal Improv (eBook ONLY)

A standalone workbook, also available as part of the larger Easy Tonal Improvisation Multimedia Course

Learn to create melodies, harmonies, and bass lines over the ubiquitous chord progression from Pachelbel’s Canon.
Develop the skills needed to arrange, compose, and improvise over triadic chord progressions- the types of skills needed to make your own cover songs
Skill Level: All levels. Workbook is color-coded to help less experienced readers.

Also available as part of our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $24.95

Chromatic Universe (eBook ONLY)

Open your fingers, ears and mind with explorations in chromaticism for violin, viola, and cello.

This Etude Book is available immediately for download in 3 versions- one for violin, viola, and cello.

You can also get the multimedia bundle below.

Price: $14.95

“Let me show you what I taught my students at the Berklee College of Music. Access all the courses below, 200+ online videos, literature & backing tracks + 1 Private Skype Lesson when you JOIN the CREATIVE STRINGS ACADEMY” – Christian Howes

Premium Multimedia Courses

Easy Tonal Improvisation (Video Series + eBook + Additional Materials)

Learn to create melodies, harmonies, and bass lines over the ubiquitous chord progression from Pachelbel’s Canon.
Develop the skills needed to arrange, compose, and improvise over triadic chord progressions- the types of skills needed to make your own cover songs
This course contains a treasure-trove of materials: 2 videos series, 6 play-along mp3s, a stand-a-lone workbook, and other handouts
Skill Level: All levels. Workbook is color-coded to help less experienced readers.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $99.99

Price: $69.95

Chromatic Universe (Multimedia Course)

Open your fingers, ears and mind with explorations in chromaticism for violin, viola, and cello.

This Etude Book is available immediately for download in 3 versions- one for violin, viola, and cello.

You can also get the multimedia bundle below.

Price: $35.95

Free Improvisation Master Series (Video Series)

Start improvising NOW- without judgement or fear.
Develop your own sound and musical signature.
Includes two full video series that you can dive into immediately no matter your level of fluency in technique, harmony, and contemporary styles.
Skill Level: All levels

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $99.99

Price: $69.95

Teaching Improvisation (Video Series)

Teach Improvisation to your students in a clear, easy, all-ages-friendly way.
Gain new insights on the nature of improvisation.
This series contains 7 lesson videos where Christian Howes’ reveals the secrets behind his unique approach to teaching improvisation.
Skill Level: Intended for teachers. Concepts are appropriate for all levels.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $24.95

Price: $18.00

Jazz Violin Harmony Fundamentals Multimedia Course (Video Series + eBook)

Hear and internalize harmony as thoroughly as you do melody.
Master skills utilized on a daily basis by top improvising violin players worldwide- skills taught at the Berklee School of Music as part of their string major proficiency requirements.
This bundle includes a four-part video series of Chris demonstrating and expanding on key information found in the Violin Harmony Handbook (also included!)
Level: Intermediate and Up

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $45.00

Blues Improvisation (Video Series + Additional Materials)

Learn how to play this bedrock style of contemporary American music from which Pop, Rock, R&B, Jazz, Gospel, Hip Hop, and others draw.
Create tension and richness in your playing, both rhythmically and harmonically.
This course includes 5 lesson videos, 2 mp3s and a worksheet to get you started on things like:

Translating the blues literary form into effective melodic expression
Generating rhythmic tension through the manipulation of triplets
Creating bass lines & comping patterns in 12 bar blues within various grooves

Level: Intermediate and Up.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $24.95

Melodic Minor Scale Master Series (Video Series + Additional Materials)

Add more tonal colors to your improvisatory palate.
Evoke the sound of Modern Jazz in your improvisations.
This bundle includes: 4 instructional videos and two practice charts.
Skill Level: Advanced.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $19.95

Price: $14.95

Diminished Scale Master Series (Video Series +Additional Materials)

Internalize both the sound and mechanics of the diminished scale on the violin, viola, or cello.
Learn how to apply this essential sonic color over dominant chords.
This bundle contains 3 lesson videos, one PDF, and one mp3.
Skill Level: Advanced.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $19.95

Bebop Scales Master Series (Video Series + Additional Materials)

Improve your harmonic fluency by adding this common jazz scale to your vocabulary.

Increase your comfort and ease playing faster over ii-V-I progressions.

This series includes 3 lesson videos, transcriptions in all twelve keys, and worksheets for each video.

Skill Level:< Advanced.

Also included in our Creative Strings Academy

Price: $19.95

Get all THREE Scales Master Series (Bebop, Diminished, and Melodic Minor) above for just $24.95

Bach Prelude For Electric Violin and Loop Pedal Series

Create a layered backing track inspired by J.S. Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in G Major via loop pedal technology.
Explore ways to improvise along on top of your new backing track.
Includes: pdf of Chris’ arrangement of loop layers in staff notation (treble clef), and four-part video series to get you started building your own improvisations over the top.
Level: Intermediate and Up.

Price: $24.95

Bossa and Samba (Video Series + Additional Resources)

Master the Bossa and Samba styles for violin, viola, & cello.
Included in this course: 4 instructional videos, 30 minute in-depth audio commentary, and more.

Price: $39.95

Online Workshops

Creative Strings Workshop Online

Online, multi-week workshop.
Multiple levels of access available.
Perfect for players and teachers alike.

Price: multiple options

Music Business Coaching

Music Biz Mastermind

Learn how make money and attract the best possible projects and clients as a to If you’re a musician, teacher, or freelancer.

Price: Click below for details

Private Music Business Coaching

Private coaching on your music business, directly from Chris.

Price: Varies, starting at 250 per hour or 500 per month

Increase Income & Impact Teaching Online in 2 Weeks

Learn the exact online teaching strategies I’ve used for 12 years to make a bigger impact and income, while working less hours.

Price: Click below for details

Fill Your Teaching Studio

This mini-workshop will help you fill your studio in 2 weeks, without relying on Google listings for inquiries.

Price: Click below for details

Top Performance Strategies

Learn strategies, exercises, and actions to help you grow your business as a Musician, Teacher, Freelancer or Self-Employed Creative

Price: Click below for details

Financial Turnaround for Creatives

Christian Howes and Evan Gregor will take you through a process bringing you clarity, effective strategies and practical action steps to increase your income as a creative.

Price: Click below for details

CDs and Other Listening

Trail Magic (Streaming/Download)

Trail Magic (2017) straddles jazz and funk, with intense jams and wide-ranging moods. Note: Product is available on various streaming and download platforms. Prices/availability may vary

Price: ??

American Spirit (Hardcopy Only) – Christian Howes (2015)

Christian Howes’ 14th studio album (4th with Resonance Records), “American Spirit” celebrates diverse American voices and perspectives on America, ranging from straight ahead and modern jazz to Americana, gospel and R’n’B.
This album will be MAILED to you at the address listed with your Paypal profile. Your bonus downloadable chart will be sent via email immediately upon purchase.

Price: $18.99

Southern Exposure (Hardcopy Only) – Christian Howes (2013)

Christian Howes’ latest release on Resonance Records. Featuring Richard Galliano, “the heir apparent to Astor Piazzola,” Howes takes another unexpected turn, this time into the realm of Latin music, exploring styles from Argentina, Cuba, Spain, and Brazil. Also features Lewis Nash, Scott Colley, and Josh Nelson.

Price: $18.95

Price: $15.00

Out of the Blue (Hardcopy Only) – Christian Howes (2010)

Christian’s 2010 release. Blues master guitarist Robben Ford meets virtuoso jazz violinist at the crossroads! The follow-up to the Resonance recording, Heartfelt. Also features acclaimed pianist Tamir Hendelman and drummer Joel Rosenblatt.

Price: $15.00

Song For My Daughter (Download Only) – Christian Howes (2005)

Song For My Daughter album, featuring Christian Howes, Bobby Floyd, Matt Perko, Jim Ed Cobbs, Dwayne Dolphin, Frederico Lechner, and Tony McClung!

Price: $12.00

Klazyc (Download Only)

All Star group Klazyc, featuring Christian Howes, Federico Lechner, and Pablo Martin, play classical melodies treated with a modern twist on jazz improvisation. Hear melodies of Mozart, Bach, and others spun into new jazz compositions.

Price: $12.00

Ten Yard (Download Only) – Christian Howes (1998)

1. ‘S I Am 2. ‘Trane’s Maiden 3. Laughing Tango 4. Sock’s Groove 5. Ten Yard 6. Vito’s Melody 7. Ode to Sco’ 8. Song For Tony 9. Laughing Song 10. Here’s That Rainy Day

Price: $12.00

Jazz On Sale (Download Only) – Christian Howes (2002)

Tracklist: 1. Amorr Case Imposible 2. Blue Monk (Part 1) 3. A Child is Born 4. Blue in Green 5. When She’s Like Water 6. Jazz on Sale 7. Very Early 8. Falling Grace 9. Blue Monk (Part 2)

Price: $12.00

Jazz Fiddle REVOLUTION (Download Only) – Christian Howes and Billy Contreras (2004)

Tracklist: 1. Doxy 2. The Way You Look Tonight 3. Sunny 4. Maria, Maria 5. Merchants Groove 6. Untitled blues jam 7. Fugue in G Minor for solo violin 8. It Never Entered My Mind 9. Traditional Fiddle Tune 10. The Oracle

Price: $12.00

Heartfelt (Hardcopy Only) – Christian Howes (2008)

Self-described post-bop violinist Christian Howes may shy away from comparisons to Stéphane Grappelli or Joe Venuti, but the young violinist certainly shares those artists’ melodic and lyrical gifts. On his newest outing, Heartfelt, Howes performs ten tracks with a healthy bent in the direction of mainstream accessibility, emphasizing romanticism, conventional performances, and arrangements with a pop sensibility.

Price: $15.00

Christian Howes Plays Yamaha the Silent Electric Violin (Download Only) – Christian Howes

Tracklist: 1. On Green Dolphin Street 2. Ode to Billie Joe 3. Felonious Thunk 4. Jazz for Sale 5. Honeysuckle Rose 6. Skylark 7. Bernie’s Tune 8. We’ll be Together Again

Price: $12.00

Christian Howes & The Horatio Icasto Quartet: Live in Madrid (DVD) (2008)

Among the selections included in this network quality production are Jazz classics such as “Nuages” and “I’ve Got Rhythm” and stunning originals such as “Song For My Daughter” and the scintillating “Waltz For Katherine.” Featuring the Horacio Icasto Quartet (Horatio Icasto, Piano; Santiago Reyes, Guitar; Victor Merlo, Bass; and Noah Shaye, Drums), this program is guaranteed to entertain Jazz aficionados and music fans alike. 1. I’ve Found a New Baby 2. Pent Up House 3. Waltz for Katherine 4. Song for My Daughter 5. Madrid Blues 6. Nuages 7. Adios Nonino 8. I’ve Got Rhythm 9. Conejitrami PLUS! This DVD includes a picture gallery, alternative endings, instant access to songs and solos, and more! DVD will be mailed to you.

Price: $19.98

Jazz Fiddle EVOLUTION (Download Only) – Christian Howes and Billy Contreras (2009)

Tracklist: 1. Walking on Broadway 2. By the Bay 3. Detective H 4. Sweet Soul Music 5. Voyage 6. Tristeza 7. Buddy’s 8. Riggs in the City 9. Amanda 10. W.S.

Price: $12.00

Sheet Music

Michael Jefry Stevens Charts Bundle (Download)

Download this bundle of 9 complete scores by composer Michael Jefry Stevens. Includes: -12 Chatham Road -Crow -For Galo -In the Garden -Oskar -Parallel Lines -Quirky Waltz -Today This Moment -What About the Future?

Price: $450.00

Price: $350.00

Maria, Maria

(intermediate) Billy adapted this tune for a swing arrangement, and he takes an amazing solo. The cello alternates between walking quarter notes and playing in a two feel. The accompaniment violin/viola should be sensitive to the cello by sometimes chopping and sometimes playing legato or syncopated double stops, but always being careful to keep the groove and leave space for the soloist.

Price: $15.00

Groove Merchant

(Advanced difficulty) Get your groove on! Billy plays an amazing intro alone on this tune, showing just how funky the violin can be. Cello can try alternating pizzicato and arco and seeing what’s comfortable. Don’t be thrown off by the notated “chopping” parts in this arrangement. You might be better off simply listening to the recording and emulating the chopping as you hear it.

Price: $15.00

Turkish March

From the European acoustic trio’s second album, Klazyc (2004). This is another flashy, and sometimes wacky, piece to add for an encore to your set. Audiences always love it because it’s so familiar and sounds very virtuosic. The version recorded on “Klazyc” should be self-explanatory. Instead of a “free” piano solo at the end, we’ve made some motific suggestions for a “free” string quartet solo. (Please note, this arrangement is formatted for string quartet, but could be easily adapted by you for trio).

Price: $15.00

The Oracle

(Intermediate) This is a fun, modal tune, in 6/4 meter with straight (not swung) rhythms. The main vamp in d minor should be comfortable for everyone in the group to solo over, while more advanced soloists will want to play over the form. Billy uses a great off-beat-based, double stop accompaniment style, and the melody lies easily on violin. Watch the temptation to use too much vibrato!

Price: $15.00

It Never Entered My Mind (Download)

(Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate) This ballad features a simple ostinato bass line in the cello, legato double stop accompaniment in the second violin (which can also be divided between viola/violin or 2nd violin/3rd violin), and a simple melody which can be interpreted by the 1st violin very broadly. This also works well with a freely improvised cello solo as an intro to the tune.

Price: $15.00

Bobby’s Bad Chart (Download)

A fully transcribed chart of Christian Howes’ “Bobby’s Bad.” Arranged by Dominic Marino.

Price: $49.95

Out Of The Blue Chart (Download)

A full transcription of Christian Howes’ “Out Of The Blue.” Arranged by Dominic Marino.

Price: $49.95

Spain (Download)

This arrangement of “Spain,” the Chick Corea jazz standard, was arranged by James Anderson. The arrangement is for jazz violin and full orchestra.

Price: $79.95

Payment Options

We accept all major credit cards. All orders are processed through PayPal. (Don’t worry, you don’t need a PayPal account. Just choose the option “Don’t have a PayPal account?” if you don’t have one.)

After making your purchase, you will immediately receive an e-mail with the link to download your product.

Returns and Refunds

Physical products

If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return the product and get a full refund or exchange the product for another on3, be it similar or not.

You can return a product for up to 30 days from the date you purchased it.

Digital products

Contact us for assistance at support@christianhowes.com if you experience any issues receiving or downloading our products.