June Violin News

Summer Schedule begins the week of June 4th 

(I originally wasn't teaching this week but now I am)! 

Check the Studio Calendar for new lesson times and days I'm taking off. 

If you need to reschedule check the studio calendar for 'available' times. It changes frequently during the summer☀

Payment is due the beginning of each month for 'scheduled' lessons only. 

Lessons are $15/30 min. lesson.

If there are no available times to reschedule and I know at least a day before, I will transfer payment to the next month. 

Lessons cancelled the day of lessons will still be charged. 

Studio Play-In

Thanks to all who came. It was a fun evening!

Twinkle Graduation

Congratulations to Anahi on her Twinkle Graduation!

Happy Halloween!

Suzuki Strings Twinkle Parade 2017 SUU campus

     

Parents as Partners Online

What?
Parents as Partners is a web-based program for Suzuki parents offering short talks on practice tips, listening ideas, review routines, motivation, building community, ownership, parent-child relationships, teenagers, Suzuki philosophy, and more!

When?
Talks are available online any time, any day from January 25-June 30. New talks are aired each Monday through March, with all talks available through the end of June.

How?
Registration is EASY!
To register please bring $10 to your next lesson. You will receive an email on Mon., Jan. 25th with instructions on how to access Parents as Partners Online. You will receive a new email each Monday through March.

Videos can be watched on any web-based device: desktop and laptop computers, smart phones, and tablets- including iPhones and iPads.

"Just as Dr. Suzuki encouraged us to be life-long learners, our own studio parents need nurturing along their Suzuki journey. The SAA hopes that both teachers and parents will take full advantage of this rich opportunity to further their Suzuki education, no matter their age or level of experience"

New 2016 Talks

A Measure of Progress
Sue Baer

A Parent’s Perspective on Summer Suzuki Institutes
Cindy Schreuder

A Thousand Bow Holds? You Must Be Kidding!
Barabara Balatero

Are You Inadvertently Sabotaging Your Child’s Lesson? 
Teri Einfeldt

Creative Strategies for Effective Review—a Survey of Favorite Activities from within the Suzuki Triangle
Rafael Videira

Discover What Encourages Teens to “Get Up and Go”
Colleen Fitzgerald

DIY: Do-It-Yourself Practice Games
Kathleen Schoen

Don’t Just Practice…Go Do Something!
Rebekah Hanson

Everything I Needed to Know about the Suzuki Triangle I Learned from a Dog
Meret Bitticks

Five Years Later—Where are They Now?!
Rebecca Martin with Suzuki parents Jen Blackenship and Julie Stibbards

Fun with Trouble Stops? What?
Shu-Yi Scott

Group Class: Creating an Environment of Community in Our Isolated Society
Mark Mutter

Guitar Hero?! VIOLIN Hero!!
Treesa Gold

Hands Separate Practice: Techniques and Tips for Success
Ellen Kogut

How to Make Sure Your Child Will Never Ever Set Foot on Stage to Perform Again!
Diana Galindo

If You Can Sing It, You Can Play It!
Mary Hofer

I’ve Been to the Lesson and Now What?
Brittany Gardner

Making Suzuki Feel Good in 2015
Liza Barley

Music for 1000 Children
Tammy Linn

Musical Elements from Twinkle to Mozart
Holly Smardo

Musical Rewards
Darbi Green and Connie McCullough

No Time to Practice?
Kathleen Bowman

Nurtured by WHAT??? When You Are Not Feeling the Love During Practicing
Zachary Ebin

Orchestra and the Suzuki Student
Daniel Gee

Overcoming Practice Challenges . . . I Promise You’re Not Alone!
Christine Wilson-Goodner

Parent to Parent: Creating the Link of Community for All
Janelle Severson

Partner Up!—Get the 411 from Suzuki Parents
Lucy Shaw and Suzuki parents

Playing By Ear…Unlocking the Mystery
Ed Kreitman

Practicing with Loops
Leo Kitajima

Recipe for Citizenship: Key Ingredients for Teaching Children to be Members of a Community
Katie Bast

Review that Works!
Julie Bamberger Roubik

Seven Secrets to Sanity with Suzuki Siblings
Rebekah Waggoner

Suzuki Parenting: An Exercise in Leadership
Janis Wittrig

Suzuki Training and Body Mapping: A Great Combination for Playing Better While Avoiding Injury
Kerry Travers

Take Your Teacher Home! Creative and Effective Uses of Video Recording in Your Individual Lesson
Lillie Mannis

Teachers’ Perspectives on Practicing with their Children
Amy Gesmer-Packman, Stacey Brady, Flori Muller, Heather Hadley  

Tech Talks V2.0—Studio Updates Available for Download Now
Ian Salmon

The Importance of Educating a Really Beautiful Human Spirit
Danette Schuh

The Practice Lizard
Suzy Perelman

The Value of Listening
Kelly Williamson

The Theory of Multiple Intelligences: Ideas in Practice 
Fernando Pinero

Three Important Words
Edmund Sprunger

Triangle Distortion: Confessions of a Suzuki Teacher who is also a Suzuki Parent
Andrea French

Want Consistent Progress in Your Practicing?? Use These Reminders to Help Your Child at His Lesson
Beatrice Blanc

Why ARE we doing Suzuki, anyway???
Joanne Martin

Work Together, Stand Back, and Admire
Beth Titterington and Sarah Beth Titterington Ibbett

Selected Talks from Prior PPO Years

Advice and Encouragement for Suzuki Parents
Brittany Gardner

Dry Ideas! Make it visual using the dry erase board
Lucy Shaw

Forget Soccer, I want to practice!
Zachary Ebin

Guarantees for More Progress During Practice
James Hutchins

Guarantees for More Progress During Practice, the Sequel
James Hutchins

Guarantees for More Progress During Practice, Part 3
James Hutchins

Is My Child Talented?
Kathleen Spring

Ownership
Ed Kreitman

Pardon the Interruption
Ed Sprunger

Pop your Ears!
Alyssa Hardie Beckmann

Prioritize!
Meret Bitticks

Raising Independent Musicians
Mark Mutter

Simple Suzuki Stretches
Joanna Binford

Tech Talks 2015: Bringing your Suzuki Experience Up-to-Date with the Latest Gadgets and Apps
Ian Salmon

Teens, Tenacity and Technique
Nicolette Solomon and Donna Davis

The Suzuki Triangle Relationship
Rebecca Martin and Suzuki parents

Time
Leslie Mizrahi

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 31

DAY 31: 

100 day Practice Challenge

Happy New Year! Are you setting any goals or resolutions?
Why not start the new year off with the 100 day practice challenge!

Some students have already taken on this challenge.  
One student was set to reach 100 days during the Christmas break and a few others are not far behind! It isn't easy... some had to start over after 20 days. I am so proud of them and their determination to start again!
I can tell a big difference in their playing and motivation. Their review pieces are solid and the 'new' pieces are easier.

Print or make a 100 day chart. 
Practice everyday (consecutively).
Mark off everyday you practice. 

Exceptions:
You can count listening to the CD as practice if you are sick, break an arm, go on vacation where it would be unsafe to take your violin with you (camping,  hot/cold temps. -violin left in a car, etc.) or family emergency.  On days where it's late, you just got home, there's homework and dinner, etc. play through one piece and do better the next day.

P. S. 3 ways to get your child motivated to practice

100 day trophies will be awarded at the Studio recital.

If you've already reached 100 days go for 200 or even a whole year! 

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 24

DAY 24: 

Snowmen

Snowmen chart

Can you finish the snowmen? Draw eyes, a nose, buttons and scarf for every correct repetition of bow exercises or practice spots in your pieces.  

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 20

DAY 20:

Let's play a GAME!

Customize these game boards for a fun practice session.

Hello Kitty Game

Blank Game

I Can Practice

Swirl Game

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 19

DAY 19:

O Come Little Children; A Christmas Hymn

 A few years ago my younger sister, Jenni, and I traveled to Germany to spend Christmas with our dad. Many Christmas traditions and carols come from Germany and there are Christmas markets in almost every town! 

 One night we were walking around a Christmas market enjoying the magical sights and I heard the familiar song of O Come, Little Children! It was exciting to be in a foreign country and hear a familiar tune!

  

Perhaps Dr. Suzuki heard it when he was studying violin in Germany many years ago and that is how it came to be in Vol. 1 of the Suzuki books!

This is the first song we learn that starts up bow. To help you learn the bowing follow these directions and bow in the air, keeping your bow very tall! (you'll notice that each line starts and ends with an up bow)

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop,

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop,

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop,

Up down with my bow 'til it comes to a stop. 

Learn these words and sing them with the recording or while you do the bowing (air bow). 

 O come, little children, O come one and all,

To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small,

God's son for a gift has been sent you this night

To be your redeemer, your joy and delight.

Learn the duet part and play with the recording, a sibling or friend!

Violin "Advent" Calendar: DAY 10

DAY 10:

Practice Ideas

Use these ideas during practice this week. 

“6″ things a day—pick 6 things to practice. For example—10 perfect bow holds (counts as 1 thing), some drill work on the working piece, 3 review pieces, preview for next piece.

Birthday Candle—Light a birthday candle (make some type of holder) and have that be the length of the practice session. 

Violin Tour—take the student “on tour” —playing something different in each room of the house (the big tone produced in the bathroom is very exciting!), in a different place in the yard, or at different neighbor’s or relative’s homes.

Student as Parent—Let the student be the parent for one day of practice. This can have mixed blessings because a parent will often see his own behavior reflected in that of the child’s.

25 minutes = 25 cents—practice for 25 minutes, earn 25 cents.

Recital - Plan a recital for stuffed animals, friends, family, etc. and make a program and decorate it. Practice for a week in preparation and let the child decide the pieces that will be played, what favorite cookies will be served, etc. Set up a stage and make a spotlight!

Dice - Roll a dice to determine the number of repetitions of a piece or for drill work (ex—play this section the number of times you roll on the dice.) Or, roll the dice to determine the piece to play. Ex—1 = Twinkle variation A, 2 = variation B, etc.) Buy a package of math dice—these dice have more sides with higher numbers.

Deck of cards - like the dice game,, only use cards. Assign pieces to each card. Have child pick cards to determine the pieces to play and the order.

Draw a name—write the piece names on pieces of paper. Put in a hat and draw to determine piece to play and order. Or put practice item on paper (bow holds, scales, etc.)

Silly Cards - make silly cards and let child draw a silly card as a reward. Ex—stand on one foot, stick out your tongue, sing the piece, play pizzicato. For example, if child needs to play twinkle and draws “stick out your tongue,” must play twinkle with tongue out the whole time. It’s quite amusing.

Make a video—regularly video tape your child playing violin. You’ll be amazed at the progress they make.

Chip Game—use “chips” (pennies, marbles, any kind of token). Set a goal—for example, keeping thumb bent while playing piece or keeping a good violin posture for entire piece. Give child and parent 5 chips each. If child meets goal, gets a chip from parent. If misses goal, parent gets a chip. Keep playing until someone has all of the chips.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

Here are some fun 'treats' to add to your practice this week. 

Spider Crawl (Keep a bow hand and crawl up and down the bow stick. Can you go up and down 4 times in 1 min.?)

Snail Bows (how slow can you pull your bow across the string and keep a clear tone? Don't forget to watch your bow for good driving!)

Frog Hops (bow circles/lifts at the frog)

Stir witches' brew (put a spider ring on the tip of your bow. Can you keep it tall while stirring a large, bubbling pot?)

Play Twinkle Theme, Go Tell Aunt Rhody or a review piece with tremolo bows for a spooky sound! 

TREMOLO: use teeny tinny bows at the tip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E8rMLHIpag 

				Tremolo on the Violin

Importance of Group Classes and UPDATED SCHEDULE

Group lessons are key to the Suzuki method. 

Group lessons 1) motivate students as they hear pieces they will be learning, 2) reinforce skills and concepts introduced in private lessons, 3) provide opportunities to perform and practice proper concert etiquette, 4) develop fundamental skills of focusing, playing together as a group and following a leader 5) introduce or reinforce note-reading, music history and other musical concepts. 

I personally have my students wait until they can play the Twinkle Variations before joining Suzuki Strings so they have a solid foundation to build on. Students still working on Twinkles-Song of the Wind should attend the Pre-Twinkle and Early Book 1 Class to reinforce their skills. If needed, we can make adjustments throughout the semester.

Suzuki Strings Group Classes begin Wed., Sept. 3rd at SUU in the Music Building, 432 W. 200 S, Cedar City. 

Schedule: 
Rm 207  5:00-5:30 Pre-Twinkle and Early Book 1
Rm 207  5:30-6:15 Book 1 (to Andantino)
Rm 207  6:20-7:00pm Cello

Rm 104 (Downstairs) 5:30-6:15 Late Book 1 (Etude and up)
Rm 206 Orchestra 5:00-6:15pm ALL students, Bk 1 and up, rehearse with Orchestra until 5:30pm
Rm 206 Adv. Violins and Viola 6:20-7:00pm  (Bk3 and up)

Make checks payable to Suzuki Strings. 
Payment is due at the beginning of each semester. 
Group Fee: $70 for one student, $80 for two students, $90 for three or more students. 
Suzuki Association of Utah (SAU) members get a $10 discount off the group fee. 

Let me know if you have any questions on which class your child should attend. 

How to Practice the Twinkles...

Choose ONE thing to think about for each Twinkle.

Overall position:
Zip/step feet, violin on top of shoulder, tall head, jaw in chinrest, tall body, soft shoulders

Right side:
Relaxed and curved bow hold- bent pinky, bent thumb, hugger fingers over; soft shoulder, elbow opening/shutting, bow on highway, eyes on bow

Left side:
straight wrist, soft and straight thumb, top of thumb barely peeking over the fingerboard, base of index finger at fingerboard, tippy-toe tall fingers curved and over string, pinky out of basement and hovering over strings

When you can play a whole twinkle successfully while thinking about one point, excellently, try thinking about two or three things, or even one whole side of the body!
Finally…. Try for EVERYTHING!

(from the Suzuki Violin Studio of Irene Mitchell)