Basic Expectations for Success: Mid Book One

I currently have a whole crew of young violin students in the middle of Book One. I can see that I need to better communicate what will help these students succeed as they move ahead to the more complicated pieces coming up.

Below are some of my thoughts about what I want parents (home coaches) to know about how to keep the momentum going & what’s ahead. There is wonderful music coming that will not feel wonderful to learn without the right foundation.

Teachers: what else would you ad?

Parents who have been there . . . what do you wish you had know/done?

Basic Expectations for Success: Mid Book One

Habits:

Practice 5-7 days each week
Listen to Suzuki Book One CD daily (other classical/violin music often too)
Know how to pack & unpack instrument and care for bow (tighten/ loosen)

Posture

Basic bow hold is easy – bow arm moves with ease
Violin is properly set on the shoulder and stays in position while playing
Left (violin) hand is relaxed, fingers land in tune and wrist stays relaxed away from the neck of the violin

Review

Spend about half of practice time on review pieces (bringing them to Book Two playing level over time/by the end of the book)
Be able to play all pieces (Twinkle – Allegro) fluidly by memory. They are the foundation that allows us to play pieces later in the book.

Tone

Student can pull the bow across the string smoothly with a ringing tone (listen for extra noises)
Student can change strings easily with the bow and plays on one string at a time
Student can play both stopped bow strokes (with space between notes) and smooth legato bows

Some of the upcoming Skills we are preparing for: