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1/29/2015 Violin Tricks | tricks tips and anecdotes for violin players

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VIOLIN TRICKStricks tips and anecdotes for violin players

January 23, 2015

Leave a commentThat chat

Its end of January and new yearfatigue is setting in with some of our

kids. So the moment has come for That Chat.

I come across a few things that might sound familiar to you; to me, they

still sound strange even though Ive observed them for years now. One of

them is the way in which commitment is taught to children, versus

MUSIC LESSONS: PRETORIA

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excusitis.

Violin is a prime opportunity to teach your

child commitment and tenacity.

Like all committed parents, you are probably always on the lookout for

opportunities to teach your child great attitudes for life. Violin, and

practising violin, is an especially good one.

It is optional, meaning that the commitment to it

has to come from within (first, from within the parent

until the child has internalized it).

Imagine your child telling you, Mommy, Im tired, I dont think Ill do my

math homework today. Youre laughing, right? Of course you wont let

her get away with that! But actually, why not? Because the school has

decided that math is compulsory. And school is compulsory.

But you have decided, between yourself and your child, that she will be

studying violin. You pay private money for it, over and above school fees(because the school does not offer violin as a subject). For every violin

lesson your child receives, you have matched a certain amount of time

youwork to earn the money; and you pay it gladly because you are aware

of the immense benefits of learning violin, andyour child is worth this to

you.

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But what is she actually saying when she says she doesnt feel like

practising or going to the lesson, shes too tired? She is saying that

whatyouput in,yourwork time and money, are not important to her.

Children are by definition selfish; it is up to us to teach them to respect

others. All kids are tired the second it comes to commitment. The

resistance usually lasts only 3 minutes into violin practice, then its

forgotten. Once that instrument is in her hand, unless a critical parent

micro-manages the practicing, shell probably start enjoying it.

Where is the balance between micro-managing and supporting

your child practising?

Supportis, setting a start time and an end time and reinforcing them;

even if it goes as far as unpacking the violin for her and setting an

achievement chart with reward attached. In general, children under 11

practising 30 minutes per day will ensure fair progress while not stressing

the mom too much. The more they progress of course, the longer the

sessions become as they polish down specific things.

Support your child practicing by being around and making them aware

that youre listening, but not necessarily focusing on them (unless they askyour help). Comment when something comes out sounding particularly

pretty.

Micromanagingis giving your child undivided attention and telling them

step by step what to repeat, what to do differently, where they are still out

of tune etc. While this is necessary with very young children, the moment

92 other amazing people (manage).
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your young violinist gains some autonomy it is more a distraction and

frustration for them. I instruct them in the lessons on what and how to

practise. I also check back whether they apply what I told them. The idea

is to get them to decide to do it right, by themselves. Your support is to

ensure that they practise daily, and long enough.

Disaster prevention: Of course if something sounds absolutely foul, you as

a sensitive listener have the right to intervene! Barge into the session and

say brightly, that didnt sound like Mozart! Are you decomposing his

music? or something like that, to take the sting out of the criticism. Then

ask them to play you that passage again. The chances are, simply because

youre listening, they will put more effort into it, possibly slow it down and

play it more accurately. Dont do this too often though as it borders

dangerously on micro-managing.

Set a routine:

The easiest way of insisting on daily practice is by slotting it into a set

routine. Does your child come home more or less the same time every

day? For arguments sake at 4h? Give them a snack (I presume lunch will

already have been given), let them rest for 30 minutes, and let them

practise violin beforestarting their homework.

Why before? Because neurological studies show that violin practice

makes a child (and an adult) focused and calm while charging up the

whole brain ready for mental action. They will get their homework done in

half the time if they practise violin first. Physically, too, the effect is the

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same as mild exercise: A lot of oxygen to the brain without overly large

muscular exertion.

And remember: It only takes 21 days to learn a complete habit.

Let them follow this routine for a month and all you have to do after that is

maintain it and not let it fall apart.

_______________________________________________________

End of that chat; have a wonderful day & see you at lessons!

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January 17, 2015

Leave a commentLesson times and other stories

Book your times:

We have been going for a week now, and I would like to encourage those

of you who havent yet contacted me back, to do so soon, to organize your

lesson times. I still have slots open but they are filling up fast.
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The Good News:

Please refer to your fees sheet to have a look what special concessions I

offer to my students. I encourage you to make use of them.

Exams this year:

I will discuss individually with the students Id like to enroll for Trinity

exams, this year. Well take the end-year exams so we have the whole year

to prepare. (This doesnt mean, of course, that we do only exam prep this

year. We continue with the program as usual.)

Orchestra, Violin Club:For now, the Violin Club happens in Faerie Glen, the time on the

Wednesday afternoon still to be finalized. Orchestra is not yet finalized

but Im planning it for Saturday mornings, 10 am.

Picnic:

Were planning a Studio picnic for the afternoon of 7 February. Contact us

for details or watch your email box.

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Thats all for now; see you at lessons!

Violin Club, 2014

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January 13, 2015

Leave a commentViolin Studio: We start 12 January

A quick note to all our violin students:

The Violin Studio restarts on the 12th January.

This means that some of you have already had your first lesson of the

year. I have emailed all of you with the schedule. If you would like to

make changes to your lesson time, now is the moment.

Wishing us all a very musical year.

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January 1, 2015

Leave a commentHappy New Year!
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Listening to the guitars playing their part

God rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
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Lunch Break: Do air violin

It seems as though every time the violinists have their violins in their

hands, so do Ibut Ill take some photos of them in action this coming

Saturday.

2015:

The Violin Studio restarts on the 12th of January. I dont think I could

bear to sit still longer than that!

Please, at this point if you send me a text message, sign off with your

name. Ive upgraded (its really a downgrade) to a touchscreen Windows
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phone that is currently driving me insane, and its not seeing any of the

numbers on my sim card, so I have to transfer them manually. However,

the photos above were taken with that phone, it has 2 really useful

features: A nice camera, and a functional speaker so I can hear my callers

again .

Ill be sending out our fees sheet for next year in this week. Fear not,there has not been much of an increase.

Were still battling to convert the video files from the Studio Concert into

actual mpegs for putting on DVD. (grr!) Much more of this and Ill go to

some professional computer studio.

Orchestra:

Next year Ill start a childrens orchestra. This will replace the Violin

Club sessions and happen 1x per week on a Saturday morning. There is a

nominal charge as there will most probably be rental to cover (venue still

pending), and tea & cookies . Were starting with our strong core, this

years Violin Club. Im so proud of you children!

Many thanks to my friend Vivienne who worked so hard alongside meat Woodhill College this year. We created things that werent there

before, and it has been an incredibly powerful experience showing our

young musicians what can be done within a single year / term / orchestra

rehearsal. Im quietly hoping that Vivienne will come and help too with

our orchestra. Wonder if we can entice her with cookies. :-)

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December 4, 2014

Leave a commentCeilidh

On Saturday 6 December, the Studio closes the year with a Ceilidh.

The address is available at your teachers; one of the members of the Irish

traditional band has kindly offered to host.

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| p p y


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It has been an immensely busy year. We are very proud of our students

who have shown diligence, commitment and beautiful progress.

(Disclaimer: Not all the pics above are from this year! For a long time I

was without a camera due to the break-in beginning of this year.)

Still struggling to convert the concert video to the right format, but will not

give up. Soon this will be available on DVD.

Enjoy the Party!

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Categories: Uncategorized| Tags: Ceilidh, the Irish traditional band| Permalink. | Edit

November 14, 2014

1 Comment

Holiday Workshop: Violins, guitars and more

The Studio is giving a Holiday Workshop this year. Beginners and

advanced welcome in the following instruments: Violin, guitar, viola.

All other instruments: You must be able to play a tune and read the

music.

Date: 13th December and 20 December (both Saturdays

included in the workshop)

Times:

Morning sessions: 9h00 12h00 with a 15 minute tea break around10H30

Afternoon sessions: 14h00 17h00 with a 15 minute tea breakaround 15h30.

16h00 on the 20th is Show Time! The ensembles and the greater

combined ensemble show what they have prepared. This is a time for

parents and grandparents to come and listen, and enjoy.

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Fees for the whole workshop: R400 per participant.

Venue:

You will receive this information on booking.

Book early space is very limited!

Enquire at Lyz (082 565 9428) or Iain (082 290 7419).

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