10/16-10/23

Hello Violinists!

Great class today! I really applaud all of the students! Year 1 of violin is the hardest, but these first few weeks (working on playing position) are especially challenging - I am so happy with how everyone is taking on this challenge.

Each week I "shout out" one or more students in each class! This week I would like to shout out: Zadie - you come up with really creative ways to remember the different skills we are learning. I am learning so much from you!

Suzuki Violin Book 1

1. PLEASE BRING THIS TO THE NEXT CLASS

2. MUSIC STAND for standing practice at home.

   • You do not need to bring this stand to class.

Violinists and families - this week it is so important that you begin the habit of practice for this year. Please take out your violin 4 times for practice between 10/16-10/23 for just 5-10 minutes every time. I want you  practicing practice! This will make practicing much easier later in the year and is a great life skill!

This week in violin we:

1. Reviewed Rest position

2. Reviewed playing position

3. Reviewed the names of the strings

4. Played “The Bow Game” where we practiced holding the bows in our right hands (not with a proper bow hold YET) and passed around a plastic cup with the tip of our bows. A lot of playing the violin right now is choreography and coordination and I love finding creative ways to work on that.

Practice: 

• You can access the sheet music I handed out HERE

• 5-10 minutes a day (this week might be more of a 3-5 minute week)

1. IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, PRACTICE YOUR LEFTS AND RIGHTS WITH SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSE

2. Watch this video on how to get into Rest Position and follow along with your violin

3. Watch this video on the parts of the violin

4. PLAYING POSITION - we cannot move onto playing with the bow until the violinist is confident and strong at putting the violin high on the shoulder (see page 15 and 16 in the Suzuki Book)

5. Practice tightening, rosin-ing, and loosening the bow

   • lefty loose-y, righty tighty

   • the bow should make a little “smile” and fit the tip of your pinky through it

   • the bow stick should never be straight or make a frown

   • we always rosin tightened bows

   • we always loosen the bow before it goes back in the case

Elinor and Zadie, you can also do this video on BOW HOLD: https://youtu.be/KzchDAIHiWY?is=6YQ-HXkFyvPY-r1H (see the bow hold page in the Suzuki book) but PLEASE also review the playing position video too

Happy Practicing!