Lesson 6

Bread and Cheese songs on the arm . . . and whisper tube.

Put the bow on the string between the three inch spaced sticker markers between the bridge and the bottom of the black piece that goes through the neck of the violin on the A string (the second one in).

Practice bridge rolls--going from the G to the E strings and back right on the bridge. It will help train arms to stay straight.

10 tuck-a-tuck-a-stop-stop and up-itty-down-itty.

Just a note Tiffany, do you think we could get that new rhythm. I think S would really love it!

Thanks! You're super!

Lesson 5

Play the games: "Am I holding the bow correctly?" and "What song is this?"  Bread or the cheese song with the whisper tube.

Sing the song "Pop Goes the Weasel" with the pinky pops (when the weasel pops in the song) on the bow.

Practice 10 rabbits, rabbit biting the carrot, stir the soup, wheels on the bus.

Draw four pictures or make a cheese sandwich together 2 pieces of bread and 2 cheese--cheese goes in the middle and then play on the arm and in the whisper tube.

I would add videos only blogger won't let me lately. Not sure what I am doing wrong. :/

Today's lesson: December 9th, 2011

More info. on bow holds

This is an incorrect bow hold because of two things: the pointer finger is literally pointing, instead of curving over the bow.   Also, the thumb is bent (good!), but it isn't perpendicular to the bow...

Notice the difference in the pointer finger and the thumb in this bow hold.  This bow hold is correct.

How to put the violin up into play position

STEP ONE: violin is in rest position.  Using the violin (left) hand, grasp the violin on its back (thumb) and beach (fingers).

STE TWO:  pull the violin out from under the arm and hold it in front of  your body.

STEP THREE:  raise the violin above body.

STEP FOUR: lower violin to shoulder (make sure left/violin wrist is straight)

STEP FIVE:  turn head to left and drop chin onto chin rest.

left thumb/violin thumb should still be on the back of the violin...step six removes the thumb from the back...

and places it here.  STEP SIX:   left/violin thumb is placed in the soft spot.

This is what the violin looks like when placed between shoulder and chin.

Violin should rest on shoulder and part of clavicle.  Chin should be on top of black chin rest.

BOWING part 1

1. Rabbit bites the carrots on the bow. Ten times.

2. Tap your pinky on the bow. Ten times.

3.Wheels on the bus circle around the face; doors on the bus go open and shut; windows go up and down; people go on and off

4. Bread song with tucka-tucka-STOP STOP

5. Down itty-Up itty (one quarter note with two eighth notes)

VIOLIN

6. Violin to the neck balanced on shoulder and clavicle. Thumb goes on the lower half of the violin. Make sure the violin is flat.

7. Finger pops. Thumb goes on the soft curved spot under the neck. Keep the wrist straight and fingers popping on the beach of the violin.

BOWING part 2

8.  "Whisper Tube" hold empty toilet paper tube up in the position that you'd be holding the neck of the violin. Put the bow into the tube and using the bow hand pull the bow in and out of the tube.  

9. Play the bread song--tucka-tucka-STOP STOP and down-itty-up-itty.  Aim to keep the tape on the bow inside the tube.

10. Keep the pinky on its tip. If it falls over or the hand becomes grabby  on the bow, then take the bow out of her hand.  Think "soft like a marshmallow."

Putting a rag on the bottom of the violin so the round part doesn't stick out into his neck.

Tuck-a-tuck-a STOP STOP

Here is what you asked for. I hope it is enough. If you would like more let me know and I'll upload more. Thanks Tiff!

Response to the Practice Log

This is Sarah's response to the trophy letter. She first thought the letter was from Grandma, but she knows it was from you and she's delighted!  In other words, thank you soooo much! :D

In case you cannot tell what she says:

"You sended me a letter right? Well, I think you did. Or is it grandma's letter? I was wondering, if it is, that's really nice that you're sending me a trophy! For violin?! Whoa!

Week 3 Notes

Review of the last two lessons

The proper way to hold the bow is just like biting the carrot.


The bow thumb tip goes half-way on the hair of the bow and the silver part next to the hair.

Is this right?

Not this!

Practice 10 bow holds daily. Pretend to stir the soup. Mention some of the things you want to add to the soup.

Then practice "Wheels on the Bus" and move it around your face.

Do the "Bread Song" tuck-a-tuck-a STOP STOP.

Practice moving the violin from under your right arm to under your chin.

Finger Pops with the hands first and then finger pop on the violin.

Rubber band/Styrofoam installed on the violin--this week.

Week 2 Notes

Bow and "Good afternoon, Miss Tiffany."

Show the bow thumb.

Violin thumb.

Rabbit ears.

                                     

Rabbit ears fall on the pen, pointer finger comes closer to the and the pinky rests pointed on the pen.

(Here are your photos Tiffany--thanks). :D

Rest position.

Middle position.

Playing Position.

Finger pops

Rest Position on the Violin

1. Show your hand.

2.Press thumb to the back of the violin and put your fingers around the outside.

3. Turn the belly button of the violin to the neck on the left side.

4. Pinch chin down on the violin.

(Video to come).

Posture for the left wrist

 Incorrect: wrist is bent
Correct: wrist is straight.

Beginning students often want to bend their left wrist in an attempt to grasp the violin tightly.  Be careful to keep it straight (also, fyi, this student's bow hold is incorrect, the pinky should be curled)!

The left wrist pictured here is bent.  Proper posture must have a straight left wrist.

Posture for left hand finger pops

Left hand finger pops should be done on the edge of the violin shoulder, I call this area the "beach."  Fingers should be round, and tapped repetitively on the tips, as this student is demonstrating.  The left wrist must be straight, as pictured.

Also, regarding her posture: notice how her nose is pointing towards her violin, lining up with the strings.  Her elbow is directly under the violin rather than behind it.  If you were to see her feet (presumably they are in play position) her elbow would probably be above her left toes.  Thus, her nose, strings, elbow, and toes line up.   Dr. Suzuki used to say this over and over: "nose, string, elbow, toes."  Make sure the "noes, string, elbow, toes" are in the same plane while Sara is doing the finger pops.  If needed, drop a pencil (eraser side down) from her left elbow, it should land near or on her left foot toes.

Lesson 1

Student bows to the teacher, with feet together and says "Good afternoon, Miss Tiffany."

Bow Thumb, the right hand, is bent.
Violin Thumb, the left hand, is straight.

Bunny Rabbit (pre-bow-hold).
Buck teeth --thumb meets first finger joint.
Floppy ears-- pointer and pinky are bent--not straight.
Bumpy chin--bend the thumb--make sure it is not straight.

Practice this 10 times a day.  Try hiding it behind your back and bringing it back in the same form--or move it to perfect form.

Dough song (pre-bread song) 

Put your violin hand (Left hand) on knee and your bow hand (right hand) on your shoulder. 

tuck-a-tuck-a-STOP-STOP

The "tuck-a-tuck-a" are sixteenth notes. The "STOP-STOP" are quarter notes.

Practice the parts of the violin song which is sung to a scale.

Bow to teacher with feet together. "Thank you, Miss Tiffany."