Lines & Spaces for Violin, Book 1

Lines & Spaces is a note-reading companion for the Kaleidoscopes series for violin, viola, or cello. Building upon the foundation established in its prequel, The Musical Looking Glass, Book 1, this volume provides sequenced repertoire to develop students’ note-reading on their primary instrument.

Lines & Spaces complements the comprehensive musical foundation students build inside The Musical Looking Glass series, which emphasizes piano fluency, moveable-do solfege, guided discovery, harmonic understanding, and creative play. Together, these resources create a cohesive approach to developing musical literacy and instrumental proficiency.

Key features:

Alphabetic Note Names: Students transfer the alphabetic note names learned on piano to their string instrument. Their fluency with the asymmetry of natural note names (such as the whole step between F-G versus the half step between B-C) helps them capably navigate the fifth-based organization of string instruments with confidence.
Pattern & Interval Awareness: Students easily apply their understanding of steps and skips to traditional notation with treble, alto, or bass clef.
Key Awareness: Moveable-do solfege builds naturally into the concept of key. Students recognize that as they transition from D Major to G Major, the tonic (do) moves to a different position on the staff.
Musical Patterns & Cadences: The repertoire emphasizes idiomatic tonal patterns rather than semi-tonal material, providing musical fulfillment while reinforcing the contextual understanding needed for fluent sight-reading.

This approach helps students develop skills that go beyond basic note-reading, fostering genuine musical fluency grounded in an understanding of melody and harmony.

Author Biography

Elise is the author of Kaleidoscopes series for violin, viola and cello, which was developed over two decades and blends Montessori and Kodaly principles within a Suzuki framework; and she is the composer of the original, whimsical piano accompaniments for the first two volumes of the book. Her teacher trainings in this ground-breaking method have received rave reviews from teachers in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia.A graduate summa cum laude from Rice University and holding a Master of Social Work from the University of Texas, Elise’s training extends to developmental psychology, linguistics, cognition, communication, biomechanics, and contemplative dance. She has extensive training in both Kodaly and Suzuki methodologies. Her diverse background has placed her in a unique position to write an inter-disciplinary, child-focused instrumental method.As a violinist, Elise has performed as a member of the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, and the Grammy Award-winning Conspirare choir. She has been featured as a soloist with Austin Chamber Music Center, the Victoria Bach Festival, and as guest concertmistress of La Follia Austin Baroque.