Hey String Player!
You can read music, but can you read a chord chart? You can play with an orchestra, but what about a rhythm section?
I’ll show you the skills you need to feel confident in new musical situations, so the musicians in the band call you back.
If you’re ready to go beyond classical, drop your email below to receive some of my best free trainings.
Looking for more?
The new course, “Playing Without A Net” will teach you how to:
√Arrange and improvise accompaniment parts in duo, trio, quartet, etc..
√Cover bass lines, inner voices, percussive parts, and play any role in any ensemble
√Play convincingly in pop, classical, jazz, r&b, folk, and other styles
√Teachers- learn to accompany your students on their beginning classical rep
Play unaccompanied, so you can convey songs beyond just playing the melody
Watch these sneak previews:
Pop/R &B Quartet-
Latin Duo-
Unaccompanied-
Get streaming access to “Playing Without a Net” and more at Creative Strings Academy
–Instructional books and videos: – Download literature & courses ala carte.
–Creative Strings Workshop- Join an upcoming professional development workshop near you.
–Educational outreach – Clinics, residencies, & collaborative guest performances at your school.
Succinct and Engaging Resources
I still had a lot of things I didn't know, despite majoring in violin during my music education program in university. I'm enjoying all of the resources Chris has put together. I appreciate that Chris has lots of teaching and playing experience in which to have test driven these ideas, and are succinct and engaging in his videos.
Professional Violinist and Instructor
Recording with a Loop Pedal by the 6th Lesson
Rachel and I learned so much practicing through the modules. I started with no cello improv skills beyond 2 pentatonic scales and by the 6th lesson I was recording videos for YouTube with a looper and trying his techniques in my own teaching.
Structured and well-sequenced curriculum
Christian Howes is amazing. He is not only a fine violinist, but a wonderful pedagogue with a structured and well-sequenced curriculum. The students were inspired by their work with him, and the teachers had tools that they could take back into the classroom immediately. His personal journey and the musical outcome of his unique and vast experiences are evident in his terrific playing and teaching. We look forward to having him back!
Pragmatic and Actionable Approach to Improvisation
I‘ve tried a few approaches to learn improvisation on violin but Christian’s approach was by far the most pragmatic and immediately actionable, without being reductionist.
Violinist
Creative Strings is a non-profit organization with a mission to support music education through outreach, summer conference, and online curriculum.