Summer Lessons, the Best Time to Start or Keep On

          

        Summer is here and many of us are going on vacation or are right now on vacation!  This does not mean that you have to go without lessons for the entire summer. I know that some of you are thinking whether or not to do them. Short answer: Do It!

If you are looking for a teacher or just want to try something out, take 2 free online lessons with me! And for those of you in the Louisville area, I teach at the Oldham County Arts Center and the University of Louisville Community Music Program. I teach the violin, viola, cello and piano. We can do Suzuki, fiddle, bluegrass, classical and/or church music. Send me an email at: privatelessonmatters@gmail.com for more info.

For those of you who have a teacher, here is what I recommend you keep in mind as you think it over:

1. Some teachers will be able to have lessons earlier in the day since there is no school, so just ask.

2. A few lessons will help keep students going so that they don't fall behind.  Students that do not take any summer lessons forget some of what they have learned. So guess what happens when Fall rolls around? The parents and student get frustrated when things have to be relearned.

3. Some children think they are done with music lessons, so by taking just a few lessons you can avoid misunderstandings.
4. If you take lessons in the summer you will have a spot for sure in the Fall with your teacher. 

5. Summer lessons are a great way to keep your child sharp and moving forward. What I have noticed, is that students have a harder time staying motivated to practice without the weekly lessons

6. Good opportunity to prepare for orchestra auditions.

7. Most importantly, quality time with your favorite teacher.

Suzuki Violin Book 1: Twinkle Theme

Focus Points:

• Now that you know the notes and can play Twinkle with different rhythms, it is time for the Theme.
• Get into a good playing position: violin on the shoulder to the side, curved fingers for the bowhand, stand tall, left thumb by the first finger.
• Place the bow at the middle between the bridge and the fingerboard.
• Concentrate on keeping the bow flowing and smooth throughout the piece.

Suzuki Violin Book 1: Twinkle, Twinkle - Variation C

Suzuki Violin Book 1: Twinkle, Twinkle Variation B

Bow Circles: Good for Tone

          This is one of the simplest ways to build your tone on the violin. It even works with viola, cello, and bass. So what you want to keep in mind:

• the bow needs to be placed gently on the string at the frog (bottom of the bow).
• then pull the bow gently watching that the string resonates (wiggles really fast).
• then circle back to the middle of the bow! 
• keep the bow off the fingerboard and use as much of it as you can.
• start by doing 5 bow circles per string, then every week keep adding 1 more bow circle per string.
• after 2 weeks you can experiment with slower and faster bow circles.
• you can even do bow circles up bow

This warm-up exercise is good for the rest of your life, just like marriage, so keep at it and be creative.

Violin Book 1: Twinkle, Variation A "Pepperoni Pizza"