Book excerpt: Mastery for Strings presents a unique, efficient methodology for developing high levels of proficiency in string players in both classroom and private studio settings. Cornerstones of the Mastery for Strings approach are: a curriculum design for large heterogeneous string classes, technical skills organized in small, sequential steps, "how-to" pages with clear goals, explicit instructions, and recognizable evaluation criteria for each technical skill, a plan for developing problem-solving strategies and self-evaluation skills, music theory (fingerboard geography) taught without reference to the piano keyboard.