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