About AltStrings | AltStrings

AltStrings: About Us — AltStrings was created as a resource for music teachers and students who want to get more out of their playing — more skills, more progress, and more fun! Developed by a Suzuki-certified teacher who is also a National Champion fiddler steeped in the folk tradition, AltStrings brings together these two approaches to provide a unique path of musical discovery for the string player. With AltStrings’ video lessons, method books and sheet music, students are introduced to a carefully chosen set of fiddle tunes that reinforce their technical development.

Knowing how much fun it is to play fiddle, pop, rock and jazz tunes, AltStrings’ founder Caroline McCaskey has always incorporated them into her teaching. Once she saw how much fun her students were having with this approach, and how motivated they were to learn the technical skills that also were necessary for progress in classical playing, she decided to call on her unique experience to create resources for other teachers to do the same thing. That is how AltStrings came to be!

More reasons to love AltStrings:

– We create a safe space for students to learn traditional music without including racist minstrel/blackface songs

– Our method is accompanied by a comprehensive series of free video lessons available right here on this site, or on our YouTube channel. Our books contain QR codes that make it easy to find the right videos for each lesson!

– Our books are available on the Kindle platform – with audio included!

AltStrings Gives Back

At AltStrings, we believe in supporting organizations that bring multi-style string education to the world, bring music education to underprivileged youth—or both! Five percent of our profits go to supporting these organizations. This means that:

For every $100 in profit from sales of sheet music or method books, we donate $5 to a worthy cause.

We also donate books and memberships to nonprofits, as well as to organizations whose students can demonstrate financial need.

By choosing AltStrings as your source for multi-style string education, you are helping to bring that same joy to someone who wouldn’t otherwise have access. So far, we have contributed scholarship money and/or supplies to the following organizations:

We would like to know which organizations you would like to see us support! Please contact us with suggestions. If your organization meets the above criteria and you would like to apply for a donation of materials or scholarship funds, please contact us.

Thanks!

AltStrings Book Reviews

Teachers will enjoy

Caroline McCaskey’s AltStrings Fiddle Method Book 1 should be welcomed by Suzuki Violin teachers looking for supplementary fiddle material because it follows the skills needed for Suzuki Book 1 so closely. She has done a fine job relating her book to Suzuki’s. Teachers will enjoy using this series!

William Starr

Suzuki Association of the Americas, International Suzuki Association

I love this book!

I love this book! Caroline McCaskey knows the fiddling and Suzuki worlds equally well and her tune selection is excellent. But this is much more than a repertoire collection. It’s full of solid technique tips and teaching suggestions. Beginning-level students will learn how to use chords and rhythmic patterns to jam along with their friends. Looking forward to Volume 2!

Laura Risk

Scottish and Quebecois fiddler

An excellent synthesis

AltStrings Fiddle Method is an excellent synthesis of two traditions in string playing—fiddle fun and developing technique. Caroline has provided a pedagogical guide to aid in the technical development of the player. For classical trained students and teachers, this book will easily open the door to having fun with the world of fiddle music.

Kathleen Spring

American Suzuki Association Teacher Trainer

Perfectly aligned with Suzuki

My son loves bluegrass and Scottish music, and this book has really increased his motivation to practice! The songs perfectly align with the Suzuki foundation he has learned, and add much appreciated zest to his repertoire. He just completed his Book 1 recital and we are eagerly awaiting Book 2!

Genery Booster

Colorado Parent

A fine fiddle book

Each tune builds on the challenges of the previous tune, and each tune includes information about the composer’s name and the history of the tune. There are tips and reminders about how to move our bows and place our fingers. I know when I took violin lessons, I was happiest when I was learning good melodies. My younger self would have really enjoyed this book.

Liz Carroll

Irish fiddler

Easy to master!

I love all of the fiddle tunes in this book! They are all easy to master and have a great sound. Caroline McCaskey is a gifted musician and a phenomenal teacher. The book is amazing!

Elizabeth Riedel

Student (age 12)

Delightful!

A delightful and skillfully thought out fiddle series for all ages that should ignite interest and joy in learning and understanding the genre.

Michael Doucet

Cajun fiddler

A much-needed resource

A much needed resource for both students and teachers, containing thorough, helpful advice on how to put each new technique into practice. These are great skills for getting you started on your journey of accompanying fiddle tunes and being able to jam with friends!

Natalie Haas

Cellist

Jam sessions, and beyond!

This book is a great resource for the beginning cellist to get comfortable playing fiddle tunes that will serve them well in jam sessions, and beyond!

Mike Block

Multi-style cellist