The Development of a Detaché Rhythm Hierarchy for String Sight-Reading

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the rhythm sight-reading ability of high school string players, establish a hierarchy for detaché rhythm skills in string sight-reading, and discover any effects of key or bow direction. Twenty-six rhythm skills, grouped into seven categories were embedded into four 8-measure melodies, which appeared in three different keys and with occasional designated bowings. Participants (N = 82) obtained a mean score of 19.1 (73%), with success rates ranging from 20% to 94% for individual rhythm skills. While significant differences were found between skills appearing in the major keys of D and E-flat, no significant differences were found by bow direction. Future researchers may explore whether these rhythm skills hold their relative difficulty level with less accomplished players, investigate the effects of various bowing practices, and identify any effects of anxiety levels for sight-reading when the consequences of performance quality varies.