Suzuki, Viola, Teaching, Learning, Loving
In the beginning stages of playing the violin or viola, there are many things to consider: the posture, bow hold, and bowing motion for starters. But for beginners, simply placing the fingers in the correct shape on the fingerboard and using an appropriate amount of force vs. relaxation of the finger can be a challenge.... Continue Reading →
My "New Year's" Resolution For many teachers, September feels more the like the “new year” than January 1st. I love all the school supply sales and the sense of new beginnings. This time of the year, I like to also take time to reflect on how I can improve and streamline my teaching. My goal... Continue Reading →
One of the wonderful things about teaching from the same repertoire year after year is you tend to develop “favorites”. One of my favorite pieces in Book 1 is Song of the Wind. It's fun, energetic, and often a student favorite, and it's fun to vary the tempo in group class so it becomes Song... Continue Reading →
Even for a very well-prepared student, Minuet No. 2 in Book 1 can present some new hurdles. In this post, I will give some of my tricks for teaching this piece. New Skills When first previewing Minuet 2, I start with two spots which are tricky for most students: measures 15-16 and 33-34. I... Continue Reading →
