What is a Self-Paced Course?

You'll improve your ability to play expressively, both technically & musically, each week for 8 weeks.

You can begin this self-paced course anytime! When you sign up, you'll get access to all the course material at once. Then, you can go through the material at your own pace. The course is labeled with pacing suggestions and the number of weeks is estimated based on about 1 day a week for part of a day. You'll pay a one-time fee, & then the material is always ready & waiting for you whenever you want it. You can ask questions of the instructor anytime, and you'll have access to the material for as long as you need.
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Play Expressively Course Overview

Learn more!

Included!

Your Play Expressively Course will include...

  • A sequential learning experience, designed to create lasting learning & growth

  • Topical lessons & written resources

  • Bonus Pre-Recorded Classes on course material

  • Quizzes to check your progress

  • Assignments to help you progress

  • A certificate of completion at the end

Topics

We'll be covering these topics & more in your Play Expressively Course.

  • Speech = Music: The relationship of speech, diction, & inflection to musical expression

  • Play Dynamically: Using dynamics & phrasing for expression

  • Technique Toolkit: Bow weight, placement, distribution, & speed

  • Technique Toolkit: Vibrato for Expression

  • Get Moody: How to play a mood

  • Stories, Pictures, Places

  • Musical Theater: Body Language

  • Before & After: Prepare & Follow-through

  • Make Your Choice/ Find Your Voice: How to make music your own

Curriculum

Check out what's included in the course below. Click the carrots on the right to see each individual lesson!

  • 1

    Welcome! Start Here!

  • 2

    WEEK 1: Speech = Music

  • 3

    WEEK 2: Play Dynamically!

    • Intro to Playing Dynamically

    • Musical Examples: Flow Gently, Skye Boat

    • Exaggerate!

      FREE PREVIEW

    • More Than You Think!

    • New Approach to Crescendo & Diminuendo

    • SHOW the Dynamics!

    • Compose Your Own Dynamics

    • Improvise Dynamics!

    • Dynamic Advice

    • Quiz: Play Dynamically

    • Assignment: Play Dynamically
  • 4

    WEEK 2: Bonus Class on Speech = Music & Play Dynamically! Chapters

    • Recording of Bonus Class

    • CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUTS
  • 5

    WEEK 3: Technique Toolkit: Bow Weight & Placement

  • 6

    WEEK 3: Technique Toolkit: Bow Distribution & Speed

    • Bow Distribution Demo

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Bow Distribution Exercises

    • Bow Speed Variation Intro

    • Bow Speed Variation I

    • Bow Speed Variation II

    • Bow Speed Variation III

    • Musical Example: Skye Boat Song

    • Applying Bow Speed Variation

    • Expressive Bow Tools Demo

    • Quiz: Technique Toolkit: Bow

    • Assignment: Technique Toolkit: Bow
  • 7

    WEEK 4: Technique Toolkit: Vibrato

    • Role of Vibrato in Expression

    • On or Off

    • Vary Speed Demo

    • Vary Speed Exercise

    • Technique Summary

    • Quiz: Technique Toolkit: Vibrato

    • Assignment: Technique Toolkit: Vibrato
  • 8

    WEEK 4: Bonus Class on Technique Toolkit

    • Recording of Bonus Class

    • CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUT
  • 9

    WEEK 5: Get Moody

    • Musical Examples: Hopak, Auld Lang Syne

    • Playing Happy

    • Playing Sad, Calm, Beautiful

    • Playing Angry, Intense

    • Chart of Moods & Techniques

    • Choose a Descriptor Adjective
  • 10

    WEEK 5: Stories, Pictures, Places

    • Musical Examples: Flow Gently

    • Pictures, Places

    • Stories

    • Quiz: Get Moody; Stories, Pictures, Places

    • Assignment: Get Moody; Stories, Pictures, Places
  • 11

    WEEK 6: Musical Theater

    • Inside to Outside

    • Facial Expression

    • Body Language

    • Breathing
  • 12

    WEEK 6: Before & After

    • Before

    • After

    • Happy Mood Summary

    • Calm/Sad Mood Summary

    • Angry/Intense Mood Summary

    • Quiz: Musical Theater; Before & After

    • Assignment: Musical Theater, Before & After
  • 13

    WEEK 7: Make Your Choice, Find Your Voice

    • Level Appropriateness

    • Plan! Or be Spontaneous!

    • Assignment: Practice being expressive

    • Contrast & Exaggeration

    • Experiment! Take risks!

    • What if everyone played the same?

    • Make Your Own Choice

    • Assignment: Share with Others
  • 14

    WEEK 7: Bonus Advice on Expression...

    • Not perfect, expressive!

    • Outside Your Comfort Zone

    • Just do it!
  • 15

    WEEK 8: Bonus Class on Stories, Theater, Before, & Voice

    • Recording of Bonus Class

    • CLICK HERE FOR HANDOUTS
  • 16

    WEEK 8: Next Steps: Keep Learning, Growing, & Enjoying Music!

    • Next Steps: More Learning Opportunities

    • Course Evaluation: Let us know what you think!

    • Optional: Completion Certificate
  • 17

    Terms & Conditions for your Reference

    • Terms & Conditions

Giving You Value!

Play Expressively Course is a great value. Here's why...

$385 = 11 chapters of valuable & fun learning & inspirational videos @ $35/each

$195 = 3 Helpful,  Instructive, & fun Classes @ $65/each

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$580 - $130 Package Discount = $450 Regular Price

-$155 Discount

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= $295 Discount Price

OR use our 3-month payment plan... only $99 NOW!


SIGN UP NOW RIGHT BELOW!

Pricing Options

Save $155 by choosing the Discount Price. Or... spread out your payments over 3 months. Sign up for Play Expressively Course Today!

Should I sign up?

The Play Expressively Course is for you if you...

  • Play violin, viola, cello, or bass.

  • Value instruction designed from the ground up for adults.

  • Want to deep dive into an exciting topic that will provide real results in your playing and growth!

  • Own a laptop, desktop, or tablet, have internet access, and are somewhat comfortable with computers & internet use. (No expertise required!)

  • Look forward to learning from highly experienced faculty who have decades of experience teaching adults.

  • Desire a full understanding of the elements of expressive playing, from technique to phrasing to personal expression, and more!

  • Want to acquire the freedom & ability to play more expressively using your own unique musical voice!

Faculty

Leading Adult String Educators

String Faculty, Program Director

Beth Bultman

Ms. Bultman is a co-founder of Scor! and has spent the last 2 decades teaching & coaching thousands of adult string players. She earned her Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees from the Eastman School of Music, studying performance, pedagogy, chamber music, & composition. She has over 20 years of experience teaching at all levels (beginner to collegiate), and specializes in adult string players. Since the age of 14, she has played professionally in many orchestras and chamber groups. She composes well-loved music for strings, and frequently performs her own compositions, in addition to classical, fiddle, sacred, and unique free improvisation duos with husband Kyle.

FAQs

about Play Expressively Course

  • What level should I be to take this course?

    This course is designed for many levels of players, from lifelong amateurs to those who have played a few years. Many of the principles can be applied across the board. However, if you have recently begun playing (in the last 2 years), this course will cover many things that are quite difficult for you to accomplish at this point and is not recommended. Consider our other online offerings - Scor! Strings Membership or Topical Individual Instruction. Ask us any questions about your level through the "Email us" button below.)

  • What type of commitment will this course require?

    Each week you'll have a suggestion of which chapters to go through, and they include video lessons, written lessons, quizzes, and assignments. There are also Bonus Classes available. This will take about one partial day each week for 8 weeks. In between, you can practice on your own and complete the assignments offered. Since this is a self-paced course, you can do it at your own pace, so it will take whatever commitment you want to make.

  • How much work will this course entail?

    This course is to enrich your knowledge and inspire your playing. It won't take up too much time or be super intense. The amount of time and effort you put in, and therefore the level of result you get out of it, is up to you.

  • What type of assignments will be given?

    The assignments may be practicing assignments or writing assignments. They merely serve to motivate you to apply the ideas and techniques being presented in the course. They will not be turned in to the instructor, but are for your own benefit.

  • If I decide I no longer want to participate in the course, can I have a refund?

    No, we cannot give you a refund, because your fee is for access to the course materials, which will be made available to you. If this becomes an inconvenient time for you, you can always access the course materials later, and still receive the same benefit from them.

Want to sign up?

We'd love to have you join us!