Upcoming Performance April 10th, 2014

On Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 7:30 PM the Louisville Philharmonia will be performing Grieg Piano Concerto in a minor (featuring pianist Nada Loutfi), Faure Pavane, Dvorak Slavonic Dances No. 1-4 op 46. We will be playing at the Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church, 311 Browns Lane, Louisville, KY. The cost is $0, unless you would like to donate. I will be in the 2nd violin section, hope to see you there!

Learn more about the orchestra here

What's the benefit of coming? It is a good way to relax, nice entertainment. Second, it is a good way to encourage your children to keep practicing their instrument, because they get to see it live! This is one of the easiest ways to keep your family inspired musically, so in the long-term it is a good investment. It will also encourage you to keep practicing when you are thinking it may not be worth all the effort you are putting into all of this. Fourth, it will encourage your children to see a different side of culture in society that they may not be used to. 

What Violin Size Should I Play on?

It is pretty easy to determine what size Violin you or your child should play on:

1. Scroll Grab: Can you reach around the scroll (top) of the violin with a slightly bent elbow.
2. Fingers Painfree: Can you put all your fingers down on the G string able to play the note D easily and painfree? Play each finger to see if it is comfortable and in tune.

      It is easy to give in to the desire for a parent or a violinist to want to get to the bigger size instrument because of the potential sound. The problem is that you are not meant to grow into the vionlin like we do with shoes.

The disadvantages outweigh any advantage of playing a size too big. Here are some losses of playing on an instrument that is big:

1. It will be more difficult to play in tune.
2. The fingers may hurt when stretching to reach the correct position for the note.
3. Bad playing position: posture, violin position, bow hand.
4. The tone will come out more rough, crunchy or squeaky because of the struggle to get the notes.

Check out what another violin teacher's explanation on the size of the violin.

Copyright © 2013 Mircea & Daniyela Ionescu. All rights reserved.

Suzuki Violin Volume 2, No. 1: Chorus from "Judas Maccabeus"

Focus Points:

• Play along with the preparation exercise at the beginning of the video until you can play that section effortlessly
• Use the whole bow on every note and slur
• Almost every line starts down bow, so be prepared for the bow circle during a rest
• Play the dynamics (f, mf) dramatically
• Make the rall. (rallantando) extra slow at the end of the piece
• Play the piece down one string, starting on the D string, once you know it the way it is written

Bastien Piano Basics Level 1: It's Winter

Focus Points:

• Put hands in C position
• Make sure that you put both 3rd fingers on Eb, the black key, before you start
• Practice each hand separately slow, medium and fast
• Play both hands slow, medium, fast

Inspiring to Practice

      So you or your child have started lessons but the excitement of the "new" is wearing off, just like new toys and video games at Christmas.  What do you do to keep practicing going? 

An Ongoing Journey. So let me just tell you upfront that there is no quick solution, no special words or gimmicks that will cause unceasing inspiration to practice an instrument. Learning how to practice and learning to practice consistently is an ongoing journey. So enjoy the journey and try different strategies to keep the journey going.

For those of you that are parents, you want your children to grow into mature adults, to have a disposition of the heart that knows what is important in life, keep doing these valuable things consistently, and enjoy them at the same time.  Recognizing and treasuring the great things in life is also what you want for yourself.  Part of this growth occurs when you and your family seek ways to be inspired, build discipline and move forward. Remember that the goal in music lessons is to gain a well-rounded life, which includes enjoying to play the instrument with feeling and excellence, but it is not just music lessons.

What I have noticed is that some students struggle with practicing because of the values they have adopted.  They are used to immediate gratification, whether it's the candy, the video games, the internet time they want, they get it quickly. They are used to quick results and so are you. This is not how it works with learning an instrument, or even a good career.  The lessons open you and your child up to the opportunity to grow in this area of working hard and awaiting the pay off, lots of good conversations on the importance of hard work, patience and perseverance, etc.

Alongside the conversations, here are some things to keep the inspiration going:

Music in the Air. With all the wonderful technology that is around you can find recordings on the instrument that you or your child is learning. It is also an opportunity to go to the library, where you can look at CD's and pick one out. Have music playing around often.

Home Recitals. Pick a day out of the week to perform for family and friends whatever pieces you know.  Even if it's only one piece, it will motivate you and/or your child to keep going.

Go to Concerts. There are lots of free concerts in town; check out the high schools and colleges. There is probably a youth orchestra that you can go watch.  Get out of the house and enjoy!

Group Playing. Invite friends over to play the pieces that you know together.  There are group classes available if you look around. The youth orchestra usually offers group classes and/or ensemble playing for various levels of experience.  Playing with others pushes you to keep going.

What ideas have you learned and come up with to keep you and your child motivated to keep playing?  What are your struggles to practicing at home?

                                                                    Copyright © 2013 Mircea & Daniyela Ionescu. All rights reserved.

The Right Teacher for Your Child

      "How do I choose the right teacher-tutor for my child?"  This question is one of the most important questions that I have been asked by parents over and over again.

So here are some things to consider when choosing a teacher or tutor:

1. Goals.  What exactly do you want to get out of these lessons?  Remember, that a teacher cannot replace you, he or she cannot take over a parent's responsibility.  A teacher-tutor can partner with you to raise your child, influencing, inspiring, bringing resources to both you and your child, but it's on you.  What I mean is that dad and mom are the most important and influential people in the life of their child, they need to embrace that role with their whole hearts and minds.  A child needs both, dad and mom, to raise him or her, so make that a priority no matter what kind of lessons-tutoring you are looking for.  Tutoring-private lessons are not quick fixes, they are another form of investment in your child's education.

2. Time.  A lot of people rush to just find someone quickly. This usually leads to a loss of time, money and not much grown in the child. It's a loose-loose situation. Be patient and you will win in the end.

3. Looking. You can contact universities in your area, look online for academies or centers that offer these services. These places may have the kind of teaching that will beneficial to your child.  Another place to consider is online lessons.  It's new, but it can be done. 

4. Interviewing. Ask the potential teacher for a meet-and-greet so that you find out more about him or her.  

• Credentials. Where did they go to school? Do they have video samples of their teaching? Why do they teach lessons? You are looking for someone that has some training, but that does not guarantee anything.  You will want to hear them play for you or if it is math, to show you some of their work. Also ask about video clips of them teaching.  Ask them to sit in on a lesson to see how they teach. You are looking for training and results.
• Administrative. Ask about make-ups, lateness, what if they cancel or they are late?
• Scheduling. What time and day of the week will you meet?  How long are the lessons? why?
• Teaching approach. What material-methods do they use? What goals the teacher has for students? How do they handle discipline? What expectations do they have of parents? 

As you take these lessons seriously so will your child think of them as more valuable.  



 Now it's your turn: What has helped you find a good teacher to work with you and your child?                                            

Copyright © 2013 Mircea & Daniyela Ionescu. All rights reserved.