CMP Violin
Class One 3:05 – 3:45
Class Two 3:50 – 4:30
Class Three 4:35 – 5:15
We are going to have our class to Room 10 from now on. It’s warmer in there, and we can use the board and overhead projector for notereading.
Class dates:
1st Semester:
Sept. 10, 17, 24,
Oct. 1, 8, 22(half day schedule), 29
Nov. 5, 12, 19
Dec. 3
Winter Recital: Thursday, December 10th 5:30 p.m. CMP Stage
Second Semester:
Jan. 14, (no 21), 28,
Feb. 4, 11, (no 18) 25
Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25(half day schedule)
April (no 1, 8), 22, 29
May (no 6) 13
Spring Recital: Thursday, May 20th 5:30 p.m. CMP Stage
Violin Notes – week 8 (11/5)
With all of our school holidays coming up, there are only 3 classes left until our Winter recital! Please practice EVERY DAY, and be sure to pay particular attention to your positions.
Class One – week 8
We put our fingers down on the fingerboard today! The most important thing your child can practice is how to hold their left hand correctly in the V position while putting their finger on the string. They may not do this naturally, and you will most like have to really work with them on this. Mastering this position in the beginning makes everything easier, and is often a pivotal point in a child’s progress.
Please practice the following exercises, and watch the videos.
Class Two – week 8
Today we warmed up with the A Major Scale, and talked about how important is it to play perfectly in tune. We’ll be adding more people onto the harmony part, so please make sure those fingers can go down exactly in the right spot.
We worked on making Song of the Wind as good as possible. We added some jumps and foot stomping along with the bow circles to help remember where they go. We won’t do the jumps or stomps in the recital, but they might be useful to practice once or twice if remembering the bow circles is a problem.
I handed out a new packet for notereading, and students should practice the two pages with the notes D and E only. It’s repetitive, but I really want them to know these without hesitation.
Finally, we started working on Jingle Bells so that we can have it ready in time. We’ll get a new Christmas song each week now, so try to learn each one as they come.!
Class Three – week 8
We started off with a notereading warm up - all students in class three should be able to easily play the D string notes on the staff. Please go back to the Strictly Strings book if there’s a need for review.
We played all our songs from memory today with the piano accompaniment, and students were taking note of the songs that may have needed a little extra work.
May Song is our newest song. Remember the rhythm and the echo.
We also started work on Jingle Bells so that we will have it ready in time for the holidays. We’ll get a new Christmas song each week, so be sure to learn this one this week.
See you next week!
Violin Notes – week 6&7
(10/22, 10/29)
**Sorry about the lack of information online here! Once the weekend comes it slips away from me. I’ll be sure to get back in the routine of getting it up here right after class.**Only 4 classes left in until our Winter Recital! Class 1 students will perform as a group, and we will decide on our program in the next week or so. Students in classes 2 and 3 should choose their solo pieces now, and we will choose our group pieces in class.
Class One – weeks 6 & 7
We spent the last two weeks getting our positions good and solid so that we can start putting our fingers down! If you child is struggling, please take some extra time to re-watch the videos and to work together to find those balanced positions. Here is a list of all the techniques and exercises that we have done so far, and students should be able to do comfortably.
Resting position (bow hangs on right-hand first finger, bow hair facing away)
The Rest Position Song
Playing position (violin)
The G G G Song
Bow Hold
The Noble Duke of York (poem for bow hand practice)
Rhythms: Everybody Down Up, Elevator Operator
Elevator Operator Song
V V Violin
Class Two -weeks 6 & 7
Here are the songs and exercises we know so far. Students in class two should be able to play all of these comfortably with a good sound.
From memory:
The A Major Scale
The D Major Scale
Twinkle Rhythms – Everybody Down Up, Long Short Short
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Lightly Row
Song of the Wind
With the book
Go Tell Aunt Rhody (working on memorizing it)
Notereading D, E, F#, G on the D string.
Class Three -weeks 6 & 7
Students in class three should be able to play all the songs from Class Two (see above) plus the following songs:
Go Tell Aunt Rhody (from memory)
O Come Little Children (from memory)
May Song (working on memorizing)
Bonny James Campbell (they may read the music)
Notereading: D, E, F# and G on the staff, as well as open strings.
(through p. 17 in the Strictly Strings book)
Violin Notes – week 5 10/8/09
*** There is no class on 10/15
If anybody would like to come on Thursday or Friday for a private lesson, please contact me. Lessons are available on these days for $20 per half hour.
*** Our half day schedule for 10/22 is as follows
Class One: 12:15 – 12:55
Class Two: 1:00 – 1:40
Class Three: 1:45 -2:25
Class One – week 5
We’re still working on holding the violin and bow properly. PLEASE work at home on this!!! I want every child to be able to get their violin up on their LEFT shoulder by themselves, and to be able to get a good bow hand.
We talked about rhythm and how important it is to stay together while we are playing. They should practice playing the GGG song with a steady beat. They could try it with the video if they like. Be sure that their plucking finger is in the right spot over the black fingerboard.
We also played the “Everybody Down Up Song”. It’s just the Everybody Down Up Rhythm 4 times on the E string. Remember to use violin arms, and keep that bow straight!
Please watch the videos with your child and practice with them as much as you can.
Good luck!!
Class Two week 5
The following songs are review songs, and should be memorized by now:
Twinkle rhythm,
Twinkle Twinkle little star
Lightly Row.
We worked on Song of the Wind, especially the second part. Work on memorizing it this week.
We started a new song, “Go Tell Aunt Rhody“. We talked about how to figure out the rhythm (Long short short long long, etc.) and managed to play the whole song by the end of class. Most kids will still benefit from you pointing to the notes while they play. Watch the video if you need some help with the tune or rhythm.
Notereading: p. 9# 1-6 remember all notes are on the D string. Again, pointing to the notes is very helpful.
D is open D.
E is 1D.
F# is 2D
GOOD LUCK!
Class Three week 5
The following songs are review songs and should be memorized by now:
Twinkle Rhythm,
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,
Lightly Row,
ong of the Wind,
Go Tell Aunt Rhody.
Work on memorizing O Come Little Children. Remember the Up Up bowing, and be sure your fingers are landing exactly in the right spots, especially in the 4th line.
Continue to work on Bonny James Campbell. Get it a little faster this week.
Notereading: p. 17. #1-6 Remember to think about which note you are playing, and to keep a very steady beat. Remember the rests!
Our new song is May Song. Look at video online for help with rhythm, and we will work on it next week in class.
Good job!
Violin Notes – WEEK 4
Note the new page on the site – Videos and Useful Links. I’m just getting starting with it, and will add as we go. This way, all the videos can be found in one place. I want everybody to watch the videos on holding the bow this week!!!
Practice Charts were handed out today. They were filled out for first class. We will attempt to fill them out ourselves in 2nd and 3rd class, but you can also find the assignments here online. Please have your child put a check in the box each day they practice that part of the assignment, and then bring it back to class next week. I will be checking in on their practice.
class one – week 4
By now, our beginning violinists know how to come into the room and get ready for class: Come in, set your violin and backpacks down. Get your binder and place it behind a footchart. Go back and get your violin, bow and green pillow, and line up at the piano for tuning. Please remind them to handle their violins very carefully - they get excited, and a few violins hit the floor today.
Today we practiced holding the bow correctly, learned new rhythms, and reviewed the GGG song. Most students still need to work on getting their violin up on their shoulder. A few still need to work on remembering which shoulder it goes on. (the left one!)
Bow Hold
To practice holding the bow, we made our Bow Hand Bunnies and did our Pinky Push-ups with a pencil. Then we tried it with the bows. Please be sure to practice with the RIGHT HAND!!!!
For a very detailed video lesson of how to hold the bow and do the bow exercises, please visit www.toddehle.com, and look under the Video Violin Lessons: how to hold the bow. It’s a 3 part series, and he teaches the same method that I am using with the children, except for I have them put their thumbs on the silver rectangle instead of the advanced bow grip, which is on the inside of the bow. He explains that in the video as well. There are other videos on the links page that show the thumb on the outside.
Todd Ehle also has a very good video on how to hold the violin as well, and it would be worth the time to watch it. Please note that we have not reached the last part of the video, where the children make a V with their left hands, and I want them to keep their fingers on the shoulder of the violin until we are ready to move forward.
Another video that may be helpful for holding the bow can be found here. The website is not dedicated to violin teaching, and the teaching style is a bit different that what I use, but it’s another approach to a good bow hand. I also like that there are children demonstrating and you can see how their arms move back and forth on the string as well.
Rhythms
1. Everybody Down Up (short short short short long long)
2. Elevator Operator (8 short notes)
3. Long short short
Students should be able to clap the rhythms and then “Swish” the rhythms on their arms. (To swish a rhythm, extend your left arm in front of you. Place your right hand on your shoulder. Slide your hand down and up your arm, making a swishing sound).
Students should also practice moving their bow arms correctly. They must remember to use “violin arms” and not “running arms”. Running arms swing from the shoulder. Violin arms open and close from the elbow, while the upper arm stays still. Using violin arms will help move the bow in a straight line with the bridge, and this will help make a nicer sound. (When you “swish” a rhythm, your right arm is moving correctly)
Once the bow hand is correct and the violin arm is moving properly, students may attempt to play on the violin with the bow. Most importantly, concentrate on hand positions.
1. Down Up on the E string.
2. Everybody Down Up on the E string.
3. Everybody Down Up on the E string, 4 times in a row.
4. Elevator Operator on the E string.
Hold the violin correctly.
Hold the bow correctly.
Move your bow arm from the elbow down.
Keep the upper arm still.
Class two – week 4
This week we took some time review how to hold the bow really well. There are some good videos available that go over the technique in detail – find links them on the Videos and Useful Links page.
This week, students should make sure they can play the following songs and exercises from memory while keeping their positions perfect.
The A Major Scale: Down Up, Everybody Down Up, Long Short Short
Twinkle Rhythm,
Twinkle Theme
Lightly Row
Song of the Wind
Notereading: p. 9 #3, 4 and 5.
Remember, these notes are all on the D string.
D= open D E = 1 on D F# = 2 on D G = 3 on D
Here are the important things to remember while playing:
Keep the violin on the shoulder, parallel to the floor.
Keep your left hand in a good position -
V for violin, watch the spaces.
Fingers must land Tip Top Tape
Keep a good bow hand at all times
curved fingers- pinky and thumb too!
Keep your bow straight. Don’t let it wander over the fingerboard!
Class three – week 4
This week, students should make sure they can play the following songs and exercises from memory:
The A Major Scale and the D Major Scale
(Down Up, Everybody Down Up, Long Short Short, Cat Kitty)
Twinkle Rhythm,
Twinkle Theme
Lightly Row
Song of the Wind
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
We are still working on “O Come Little Children“, and students should be able to play the first two lines fairly well.
They did a great job playing all the exercises in the note-reading packet, and we worked through the lines of Bonny James Campbell. We clapped and then stomped out the rhythm. Ask your child how to teach you how to “Line Dance” the rhythm!
Next week we’ll go back to the Strictly Strings book, and notereading on the staff. Hopefully these two weeks of practice with the reminder letters inside the notes did some good and we’ll have an easier time.
As with class two, here are some really important things to remember when playing the violin:
Keep the violin on the shoulder, parallel to the floor.
Keep your left hand in a good position -
V for violin, watch the spaces.
Fingers must land Tip Top Tape
Keep a good bow hand at all times
curved fingers- pinky and thumb too!
Keep your bow straight. Don’t let it wander over the fingerboard!
practice hard, my young violinists!
See you next week
Ingrid
Violin Notes – WEEK 3
Our third week of class saw some excitement for our beginning violinists, as they got to use their bows for the first time. It took up a lot of time, and we ended up running over time. I expect things to even out this week, and hopefully each class will begin on time. If it turns out to be too hectic, I’ll put 10 minutes inbetween classes instead of 5, and see if that helps. For now, the class time will remain the same:
Class One 3:05 – 3:45
Class Two 3:50 – 4:30
Class Three 4:35 – 5:15
Here’s what we did in class:
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Class One – week 3
~ Practiced finding Resting and Playing Positions.
~ The GGG Song (Remember to use the first finger of the right hand, and pluck the string in the “plucking spot” – over the black fingerboard.
~ How to care for the bow (remember to tighten and loosen the bow, and don’t touch the bow hair!)
~ How to hold the bow properly
Still there is not a lot for them to practice, and don’t be surprised when they can’t make a nice sound with the bow. That’s still a few weeks off
The most important thing that they can practice at home is finding their positions, and being able to handle the violin properly. I was seeing a few children still holding the violin in the wrong hand, or trying to put it up on the right shoulder instead of the left. Practice at home so they will feel more comfortable in class.
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Class two – week 3
We are continuing to review our songs from last year, but we have almost covered all of them. They should be able to play the following songs fairly easily:
The A Major Scale: Down Up, Everybody Down Up, and Long Short Short
Twinkle Rhythm
Twinkle Theme
Lightly Row
Song of the Wind is our review song for the week. Next class we will learn Go Tell Aunt Rhody, and this is new for most of the students.
We also worked on notereading, and I think they are doing really well. They should be able to play pages 7 and 8 easily. We started working on fingered notes on the D string (p.9) and they should be working on playing the whole page this week. Help them remember that there are now two different ways to play the note “E”, and on this page, it’s played with the 1 on D.
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Class Three
Like Class two, we are continuing our review of last year’s songs. At this point, students in class three should be able to play the following:
The A Major Scale (Down Up, Everybody Down Up, Long Short Short)
Twinkle Rhythm
Twinkle Theme
Lightly Row
Song of the Wind
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
We are working on “O Come Little Children“, and will go through the 3rd and 4th line more carefully this week in class.
We also got a new rhythm for our scales: “Cat Kitty Cat Kitty” . This is a little tricky at first, so help them through it!
For notereading, I passed out a packet of notes on the staff that had the letter names in them. This will help us transition into notereading on the staff. We were able to get through the entire packet in class, and spent a little bit of time on the song “Bonny James Campbell”. Remember that the rhythm is made up of long bows (single quarter notes) and two or more short bows (eight notes – connected with a bar.)
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Next week I’m going to try to write this email BEFORE class. If we don’t get to everything or class goes differently than I thought, hopefully I can modify it quickly, and get it out to you sooner. Thanks for you patience! See you in class, and happy practicing.
Ingrid
Violin Notes – Week 2 - 9/18/09
3. If you are in class one, get your binder and go place it in front of a footchart.
4. If you are in class two or there, set up your music stand, and put your binder on it.
5. Go back and get your violin and bow out of the case, and get it set up. Remember to get your green shoulder rest too.
5. Line up at the piano for tuning. Please do not play your violin while in line.
6. Once you are tuned, you may go to your foot chart/music stand and practice your violin.
7. After class, loosen your bow and put your violin carefully away. Try to be quick and quiet, as the next class is coming in and needs to get started. Students who are going back to Club M need to come and wait by the piano, and Ms. Kara will walk you back to club M.
Here are the notes from our second week of classes:
Class One
Thank you to all the parents for making the effort to get there on Thursday – all the violins got to go home that day! The children were so excited to get their real violins, and I was so impressed by how they were so focused on our lesson. Here’s what they should be practicing this week. Follow the links to watch a video demonstration by violin teacher Laurie Niles.1. Practice taking care of the violin. Review violin safety rules. Do not touch the bow yet! Leave it in the case. There are special rules for handling the bow, and we will learn them next week in class.
2. Hold your violin in resting position. Sing the Rest Position Song.
3. Practice putting your violin in playing position. (This video is not shown exactly how I teach it, but you will get the general idea.)
4. Play the GGG Song. Be sure to use your right index finger to pluck the strings, and pluck over the black fingerboard. For this song, you can place the violin on the ground in front of you, or in playing position.Students are expected to practice a minimum of 4 times a week. A normal practice time for this level is about 10 minutes. Try to do more on a good day, expect less on a not so good day. 
Class Two
In our second week of classes, we settled into our routine a bit, and continued to review our songs from last year. We also practiced reading music – open strings with the letter names. Here’s what they should be practicing this week:1. Review Twinkle Rhythm and Twinkle Theme. Ideally, these songs are memorized already.2. Review Lightly Row.3. Review the A Major Scale. Rhythms: 1: Down, Up. 2: Everybody Down Up. 3: Long Short Short.4. Notereading open string letters. (p.7 and 8 of the Strictly Strings book – some students have photocopies) Practice tracking the notes across the page, and keeping a steady beat.
5. Russian Dance - our new song.
6. Remember to hold your violin and bow correctly at all times. The best thing you can do to improve your playing is to improve your posture and positions!
Please help your child know this material - most of it is review, and I would like to move on to new material as soon as possible. Also, we need to get those binders in order. We are spending a lot of class time trying to find songs in the binders, and picking loose music up off the floor. Get some tabbed dividers, and make 5 categories: Class Songs, Scales and Exercises, Notereading, Christmas Songs, and Extra Songs. This will help us be organized!!!
Class Three
In our second week of classes, we settled into our routine a bit, and continued to review our songs from last year, and began learning about notereading on the musical staff. Here is what they should be practicing this week:1. Warm up with review songs: Twinkle Rhythm, Twinkle Theme, Lightly Row, Song of the Wind and Go Tell Aunt Rhody. These should be mostly memorized and sounding pretty good.2. O Come Little Children: This is our new song. Remember that there is a special bowing. The last note of every phrase goes up bow, and then the next note of the following phrase is also up bow. You must save enough room in your bow to do them both.3. Notereading- p. 15 # 1 – 74. Notereading – p. 16 # 1-5
5. Concentrate on your hand positions. This is the most important thing for improving how you sound on the violin.
6.
Get those binders in order! We are spending a lot of class time trying to find songs in the binders, and picking loose music up off the floor. Get some tabbed dividers, and make 5 categories: Class Songs, Scales and Exercises, Notereading, Christmas Songs, and Extra Songs. This will help us be organized!!!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.The best way to reach me is by email: ingridviolin@yahoo.com .Good luck practicing this week!
Ingrid
