Suzuki, Viola, Teaching, Learning, Loving
And the GRAMMY goes to... a viola concerto! Last night's GRAMMY awards for best contemporary classical composition went to Jennifer Higdon's "Viola Concerto", played by Roberto Diaz. You can learn more about Higdon's wonderful new music here, but since this blog is about the viola, let's talk more about the viola player who recorded Higdon's... Continue Reading →
I love the Winter Olympic Games. The athletes and events are a fun diversion during the cold, dark months of winter and it's inspiring to watch the drive, artistry and focus of the world's best athletes. So for this semester, my students are participating in the "ViOlympics" (violin/viola olympics).
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 →
It's back-to-school time here in St. Louis, and I'm busy getting ready for the new year, but before things get too crazy, I want to share my experience at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point Wisconsin. I spent the last two weeks of July this year in Stevens Point, taking some viola teacher training.... Continue Reading →
My Favorite Scale Books Last week, I talked about the importance of scale practice for young string students. This week, I thought I would go more into detail about how I introduce scales and some of the materials I use. There are suggested scales printed throughout the Suzuki Method Books, but for my own teaching,... Continue Reading →
I have a confession to make: I love scales! There is nothing I like better than starting the day off right with a cup of coffee and some slow, mindful scale practice. I know that both students and professionals have differing opinions on scales, but love them or hate them, scales are an essential part... 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 →
Private teachers know that things are, well, a bit different during the summer. I believe that summer lessons are crucial to continued student success and Christine Goodner recently wrote a great article about the importance of summer lessons over at the Suzuki Triangle Blog. While the majority of my students do continue lessons over... Continue Reading →
