Lesson #14: Different Types of Listening

December 8th, 2010

Quote of the Week:
"Your child will progress in direct relation to the amount of listening and observing he does." Dr. Suzuki

Different types of listening:
1.Environmental listening- while driving in the car, taking a bath, eating, playing in house or yard, and especially, while going to sleep at night.
2. Active listening- clap hands, move to music
3. Review listening- the piece(s) completed.
4. Current listening- to piece working on.
5. Preview listening- to the next piece to be played.

Master Class Order/What we did this week:
Group: A scale, each note 2 times
Hanna: Twinkle Theme
Group: Practice Lightly Row via Echo Method (I play, then students repeat. This type of practice helps develop ear training, ie. learning to play the exact tone and rhythm that they hear)
Kiana: Begin Song of the Wind (1,3,3,1,E RESET 1,3,3,1,E)
Group: Play Twinkle Theme
Group: Mississippi Hotdog one at a time stop and go
Review: Looking/reading songs in Suzuki Book 1
Group: Bow

What to Expect Next Week:
As we graduate from the Twinkles, remember to continue to practice them. You only get better through repitition!

Master Class Order:
Group: A scale, each note 2 times
Hanna: Twinkle Theme
Group: Play straight through all the Twinkle Variations plus the Theme
Group: Practice Lightly Row with music and then via Echo Method and then memorized
Jack: Lightly Row
Sophie: Lightly Row
Morgan: Lightly Row
Kiana: All of Song of the Wind
Group: Jingle Bells
Group: Bow

Lesson #13

Quote of the Week:
"Your child will progress in direct relation to the amount of listening and observing he does." Dr. Suzuki

Different types of listening:
1.Environmental listening- while driving in the car, taking a bath, eating, playing in house or yard, and especially, while going to sleep at night.
2. Active listening- clap hands, move to music
3. Review listening- the piece(s) completed.
4. Current listening- to piece working on.
5. Preview listening- to the next piece to be played.

Master Class Order:
Kiana and Jack- will play through Twinkle Variations for their silly band
Group: Practice Lightly Row via Echo Method (I play, then students repeat. This type of practice helps develop ear training, ie. learning to play the exact tone and rhythm that they hear)
Morgan- Jingle Bells
Group: Play Jingle Bells
Hanna- Twinkle Theme
Group: Play Twinkle Theme
Sophie- Sleepy Girl
Group: Hanna, Sophie, and Morgan to play through Twinkles
Group: Play Lightly Row one time through
Group: Bow


Master Class Order for Next Week:
Group: A scale, each note 2 times
Hanna: Twinkle Theme
Group: Practice Lightly Row via Echo Method (I play, then students repeat. This type of practice helps develop ear training, ie. learning to play the exact tone and rhythm that they hear)
Kiana: Begin Song of the Wind (1,3,3,1,E RESET 1,3,3,1,E)
Group: Play Twinkle Theme
Group: Mississippi Hotdog one at a time stop and go
Group: Another Christmas song?
Review: Looking/reading songs in Suzuki Book 1
Group: Bow

Congradulations to Kiana, Jack, Sophie, and Morgan for playing the Twinkle Variations all the way through and getting their music silly bands!

Listen to this group of kids from Japan play the Twinkle Variations, too!

Lesson #12 Master Class Format

November 17, 2010

Quote of the Week:
"For the motivated musician, a master class is a must....There are usually two levels of participation....Whether you're a performer or a watcher, participating in a master class is a fantastic musical experience." p.189-190 of " Raising Muscical Kids" by Patrick Kavanaugh

Each student will have the opportunity to perform their most recent songs he/she has been practicing in order to be critiqued, for lack of a better word, in front of the class. Everyone learns from each other in this way and each student still receives the benefits of a private lesson.

Trying a new format: The Master Class
Morgan
Group: Spider Crawl with bow, “Up like the Sun”
Hanna
Group:A scale- Largo (very slow speed), Adagio (slow speed), Moderato (moderate speed) , Allegro (fast speed)
Sophie
Group:Jingle Bells review
Kiana
Group: Bow

Next Week:
Kiana and Jack- will play through Twinkle Variations for their silly band
Group: Practice Lightly Row via Echo Method (this helps develop ear training)
Morgan- Jingle Bells
Group: Play Jingle Bells
Hanna- Twinkle Theme
Group: Play Twinkle Theme
Sophie- Sleepy Girl
Group of Hanna, Sophie, and Morgan to play through Twinkles
Group: Bow

*!*!*!Bring your books this week. I will show everyone how to "read" the music to Lightly Row for home practice. Please be listening to your Suzuki book 1 CD all the way through. This helps with memory and intonation (playing in tune). If you still need to purchase one, you can easily order online at SHARMUSIC.com or click here to order the book plus cd together for only $13.97!

Note: In class, we will most always play by memory. Home is where you should practice looking at the music if need be, and then looking away to develop memorization. When a song is memorized, it is easier to focus on dynamics, such as loud and soft or slow and fast.


"Jingle Bells" Part 1
2A 2A 2A , 2A 2A 2A, 2A E A 1A 2A,
3A 3A 3A 3A, 3A 2A 2A 2A, 2A 1A 1A 2A, 1A 2A
2A 2A 2A , 2A 2A 2A, 2A E A 1A 2A,
3A 3A 3A 3A, 3A 2A 2A 2A, E E 3A 1A A
If your child is having trouble with this song, then practice the rhythm on A string.

Be listening to the Susuki book 1 cd. If you can hum the song,then you can play the song!

Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Thursdays.

Lesson #11

November 10, 2010

Quote of the Week:
"Your musical child is a bit like that solitary piece of charcoal. And the burning heap of coals is like the many musical friends your child can find in the various ensembles and schools in musical potential. By joining together with other musically interested children, he will be able to experience tremendous benefits that only a group setting can provide." p.129 of " Raising Muscical Kids" by Patrick Kavanaugh

Review:
Play Twinkle Theme : first together, then one note at a time
Who's ready to check off more variations?
Put Stars on Chart. Silly band, anyone?

New:
"Jingle Bells" Part 1
2A 2A 2A , 2A 2A 2A, 2A E A 1A 2A,
3A 3A 3A 3A, 3A 2A 2A 2A, 2A 1A 1A 2A, 1A 2A
2A 2A 2A , 2A 2A 2A, 2A E A 1A 2A,
3A 3A 3A 3A, 3A 2A 2A 2A, E E 3A 1A A

If your child is having trouble with this song, then practice the rhythm on A string.

Preview:
Be listening to the Susuki book 1 cd. If you can hum the song,then you can play the song!
I will play our next song, Lightly Row, for students.
A 2A E E 2A 2A 2A

Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Thursdays.

Lesson #10 "Practicing..."

November 3, 2010

Quote of the Week:
"Practicing: Divide it into parts, work on each segment, then put the parts all together. Slow practicing is so important..." p.115 of " Raising Muscical Kids" by Patrick Kavanaugh

Review:
Play “Twinkle Variations” : first together, then separately
Run Pony Run Pony
Wish I Had A Motorcycle
Sleepy (shh) Girl
Who's ready to check off more variations?
Put Stars on Chart

New:
"Jingle Bells" Part 1
2A 2A 2A , 2A 2A 2A, 2A E A 1A 2A,
3A 3A 3A 3A, 3A 2A 2A 2A, 2A 1A 1A 2A, 1A E
2A 2A 2A , 2A 2A 2A, 2A E A 1A 2A,
3A 3A 3A 3A, 3A 2A 2A 2A, E E 3A 1A A

If your child is having trouble with this song, then practice the rhythm on A string.

Preview:
Be listening to the Susuki book 1 cd. If you can hum the song,then you can play the song!
I will play our next song, Lightly Row, for students.
A 2A E E 2A 2A 2A

Practice this way:
Review all Twinkle Variations and Theme
Practice Jingle Bells
Try playing the "Preview" notes from Lightly Row (Song #2 in your Suzuki Books)
*Practice all at once for 20 minutes or more, or break it up according to your child's attention span throughout the day

Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Thursdays.

Lesson #9 "Praise Him with the strings." Ps. 150:4

October 27, 2010

Quote of the Week:
"Praise Him with the strings." Psalm 150:4

Review:
Clap Rhythms, Play Mississippi Hotdog together, one note at a time, walk around?
and finally, individually

New:
Play “Twinkle Variations” all the way through!
Run Pony Run Pony
Wish I Had A Motorcycle
Sleepy (shh) Girl
Who's ready to check off?
Read book about practice: "Howard's Screechy Violin"
Put Stars on Chart

Preview:
Be listening to the Susuki book 1 cd. If you can hum the song,then you can play the song!
I will play our next song, Lightly Row, for students.
Try this: A 2A E E 2A 2A 2A

Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Thursdays.

Lesson #8 "Keep learning and growing!"

October 20, 2010

Quote of the Week:
"The happiest people in the world are those who keep learning and growing until the day they die." p.41 of "Raising Musical Kids" by Patrick Kavanaugh

Review:
Read book: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" (Full poem)
Clap Rhythms, Bow Rhythms, speak notes, fill-in-the-blank for notes of Twinkle
Play Mississippi Hotdog together, one note at a time, and individually

New:
Play “Twinkle Variations” all the way through!
Run Pony Run Pony
Wish I Had A Motorcycle
Sleepy (shh) Girl
Who's ready to check off?
Put Stars on Chart- Who gets silly bands? Anyone who can hold the correct form and play straight through the Twinkle Variations plus the Twinkle Theme. Everyone will get a sticker on the chart for each Variation they play correctly. Remember: Form, rhythm, and memorization of the correct notes is what I will be looking and listening for. If notes are slightly out of tune, then we can move forward and work on this as we learn more songs.

Practice: Everyone needs to play Mississippi Hotdog 10 times a day! Make sure you are working on memorization and correct form. Remember, it feels good to do something well! Give a good effort!

Preview:
Be listening to the Susuki book 1 cd. If you can hum the song,then you can play the song!


Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Thursdays.

Lesson #7: Words To Phrases, Phrases To Sentences

October 13th, 2010

Quote of the Week:
"How many thousands of time the infant must hear the words "Ma Ma" and "Da Da" before (finally) the magic day arrives, and he says the long-awaited words. There is great rejoicing, much applause, and many repeat performances... he must perform those words, over and over, for everyone who will listen...always to enthusiastic, positive reinforcement. Then the next word is added, with the same kind of support and enthusiasm....Words turn into phrases; phrases turn into sentences..." p.9 of They're rarely too young...and never too old "to twinkle!" by Kay Collier Slone

Review:
Bunny Hop Ex.- keep thumb by 1st finger tape, pick up fingers to hop across strings
Preview of Miss. Hotdog song : E, 3A, 2A, 1A

New:
Square arm- put tape on middle bow
Learn to play “Twinkle Variations” all the way through!
- handout given of notes to look at at home
Read book about practice/ show chart


Finger #'s for Twinkle Variations:
Open A Open E 1E Open E
now prepare fingers on A string (1,2,3)
3A 2A 1A Open A
Open E 3A 2A 1A
Open E 3A 2A 1A
Open A Open E 1E Open E
now prepare fingers on A string (1,2,3)
3A 2A 1A Open A

Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Thursdays.

Incredible high school musicians from Venezuela! Led by Gustavo Dudamel

This youth orchestra from Venezuela is incredible! Pay close attention to their form.

Lesson #5 "First Character, then ability."

Lesson #5
September 22nd, 2010

Quote of the Week:
by Dr. Suzuki’s alma mater, Nagoya Commercial School
“First character, then ability.” p.66 in "Nurtured by Love"

Review:
Crawling spider with bow
Names of strings (Every Alligator Does Good), parts of violin
Umbrella hand (slide left hand back and forth on neck- must be relaxed and touching first finger to thumb)
Finger #’s on tapes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Square fingers(left hand positioned at back of fingerboard,thumb by 1st finger tape,wrist back)
Positioning the violin on the shoulder correctly: "Split, Step with feet, then Stop, Turn, Ear, Shoulder, Head with violin"
Everyone stand in lion position (violin on shoulder with bow hand on opposite shoulder, without bow) while I play entire Twinkle Variations and Theme!
A Scale (Open A=no fingers, 1st finger on A, otherwise written as A1, then A2, A3, Open E, E1, E2, E3)

New:
A scale backwards (E3,E2,E1,Open E, A3, A2, A1, Open A)
Play scales one time with each rhythm:
(Miss-is-si-ppi Hot-dog, Run Po-ny Run Po-ny, Wish-I-Had-A-Mo-tor-cy-cle, Slee-py (shh) Girl)
Preview of Miss. Hotdog song : Play Open E (roll bow, place all 3 fingers on tapes), Play 3, Play 2, Play 1

Next Week:
Student teaches parent! Bow hold, 5 steps, Left arm form, A scale with Mississippi Hotdog
Read book about practice and discuss practice charts
Learn to play “Twinkle Variations”- learn notes by plucking first
Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Thursdays.

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band 2009 - "Up In Indiana"

I saw Lyle Lovett perform this song, and many wonderful others, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville recently. What a treat of a concert! Make sure you listen long enough to hear the fiddle solo. The other instruments are upright base and mandolin. Did you know that a mandolin is strung like a violin/fiddle? You just play it like a guitar!

Lesson #4 "Fine Musicians"

Lesson #4
September 15th, 2010

Quote of the Day
by Dr. Suzuki
“The purpose of Talent Education is to train children, not to be professional musicians but to be fine musicians and to show high ability in any other field they enter.” p.79 of Nurtured by Love

Review:
Crawling spider (Bow hand/right hand)
Names of Strings: E,A,D,G
Can you think of an acronym to help you remember?
Rolling bow across all 4 strings: elbow/right arm moving up and down
5 steps to playing position- is foot lined up with scroll?
Play rhythms on E, A, D, and G strings saying, “1,2,ready,play.....stop,roll,play”
“Umbrella hand”: nice round and relaxed hand, move back and forth around the neck
Finger #’s: 1st,2nd,3rd,4th

New:
Practice “Square fingers” on left hand
Put tapes on fingerboard for 1st,2nd,3rd fingers
Play an A scale
one stroke for each note
playing a rhythm for each note, ie “Mississippi Hotdog” for each note

Next Week:
Learn to play Mississippi Hotdog from the “Twinkle Variations”
Hand out practice chart, Read book
Please check the blog for weekly updates and pictures! I will always try to have it ready by 2pm on Tuesdays.

Lesson #3 "A work of art"

Lesson #3
September 8,2010

Deep Thought of the Day
by Dr. Suzuki
"A work of art is the expression of a man's whole personality, sensibility, and ability."
p.83 "Nurtured by Love"

Review:
Bow hold- practice agility doing the Crawling Spider
Who can go to the tip and back 1st?
Musical Feet without violin
Rest Position to Playing Position in 5 steps
Is foot lined up with scroll?
Play rhythms on E string- between bridge and fingerboard
Open and close elbow, bend wrist to keep bow straight

New:
Rolling bow across all 4 strings- elbow moves up and down
Names of strings: E,A,D,G (Good Dogs Always Eat) or (Eat Apples During Golf)
Can you think of an acronym?
Playing Rhythms on A string
Finger #’s: 1st finger is pointer finger, 2nd, 3rd finger is ring finger, 4th is pinky.

Next Week:
Put tapes on fingerboard for 1st, 2nd, 3rd fingers
Playing with square fingers
Learn to play the A scale
One stroke for each note
Rhythms for each note

Lesson #2 "The habit of action"

Violin Lesson #2
September 1, 2010

Deep Thought of the Day
by Dr. Suzuki
"The habit of action- this, I think, is the most important thing we must acquire.... If you put a task off until some other time, you will never get it done, because 'some other time' has its own tasks. Consequently, you end up doing nothing and become a person who keeps putting things off. Time doesn't wait; but most people are so narigachi na no desu (not up to doing things)."
p.89 "Nurtured by Love"

Review:
Parts of violin and bow
Feet Stance: (Rest Position & Playing Postition)
Bow hold/ air rhythms/ *This time with toy on tip
Bow on shoulder with tube, play rhythms

New:
Learn Rest Position/Playing Position using “1,2,3,4,5”
-Make sure scroll is lined up with foot.
Putting on shoulder rest
Hold violin on shoulder with and without arm support
How long can you hold it without your left arm?
Playing rhythms on E string:
1)Mississippi Hotdog
2)Run Pony Run Pony
3)Wish I had a motorcycle
4)Sleepy (shh) Girl/Boy

Next Week:
Musical Feet (walk without violin while I play Book 1 songs, end on traced feet)
Put tapes on strings
Play A scale/ Rhythms on E and A strings

Practice this way each day:
Do the 5 steps from Rest Postion to Playing Position- 10 times
Then, play each rhythm on the E string- 10 times each
Ex. Mississippi Hotdog 10 times, Run Pony Run Pony 10 times...

Parent Participation

The student's success will highly depend on his/her support at home. The more a parent or guardian can help or assist, the more likely the student will be motivated to practice and have fun learning. The violin, as opposed to learning fiddle, is much more precise, meaning proper form is of the most importance in the beginning. As the teacher, I will be more concerned about proper form than I will tone or correct notes. A beautiful tone will follow correct form. So, please make sure your child is keeping the form correct everytime they play at home!

So, what is considered correct form? Well, you will only learn if you can sit in on the lessons. If you cannot, then we should have your child give you a review in front of me before you leave each week. I have taught plenty of adults as well, and it is never too late to learn something new! If you desire to learn as well, then talk to me about one, two, a few, or more private lessons of your own!

1st Lesson of the Fall! Beginner's class

Lesson #1 on Wednesday, September 25th
Feet Stance
-Split (make a "V") and step (with left foot)
-”tree”- strong roots keep you planted!
-sway- will you fall if someone nudges you?

Parts of Violiln
Back, Belly, Neck, Scroll, Tuning Pegs, Fingerboard, Strings, Bridge, Fine Tuners, Tail piece, button, f-holes

Parts of Bow
Stick, Horse Hair, Tip, Frog, Screw

Clap Rhythms, Play Rhythms in air with bow, and on shoulder with tube
- elbow opens and closes
"Mississippi Hotdog"
"Run Pony Run Pony"
"Wish I Had a Motorcycle"
"Sleepy (shh) Girl/Boy"

Bow Hold
Bent Thumb, Bent pinky, 3 middle fingers over bow stick

Violin on Shoulder
-without bow but with and without left arm, walk around
-come back to feet and “make a line” with left foot and scroll

Review Daily!

Next week:
-Trace feet positions and play "musical feet"
-Learn names of Strings
-Learn how to put on shoulder rest
-Left hand form
-Playing Rhythms on the E string

And, we will take a picture of everyone to post on our violin blog!

Hope you had fun!!!! I sure did! Everyone did so great!

See you next week!
Mrs. Angela

Upcoming Beginners' Class

Satterfield Violin Studio presents:
Beginner Violin Class for ages 6 and up.

Wednesdays 3:45-4:45pm @ Trinity Presbyterian Church
No make up lessons. No refunds for missed lessons.

Fall 2010 lessons begin August 25th and go through December 8th. No lessons during Fall Break and Thanksgiving Break. First lesson is free if you decide not to continue.

Click on "Getting Started" tab on Home page to find a violin and other needs.

Lesson Format

LESSON FORMAT: Group lessons up to 10 students= organized, supportive, chanllenging and fun!


Tentative Outline of Class Each Week:
Ice Breaker Game
Read Quote of the Day- Different child each week/Conductor for the day!
Posture Check
Arm Exercises
Scale Practice/rhythm/intonation
Review a song (after accumulation of 5, start picking from a jar)
Learn a song: Listen, Sing it, clap it, pluck it, play it, See it, Talk it (types of notes)
Check a song: anyone ready to be checked off? (In tune and in rhythm): pick from prize box!!!
* everyone plays it with the student for the first time, then each student ready will play solo
Fun with a song (fast, slow, copy cat, eyes closed, on knees, in a chair, pluck it)




Project Ideas:
-make up a song
-find a song from a cd or radio or movie
-learn vocab
-review a composer or musician
-learn different genres of music, different time periods
-learn christmas music