Here's a great way to listen to your songs. Go to the Intermediate School page, then go to Orchestra, then go to Suzuki Book. Choose your instrument and Book 1. All the songs in your book are there being performed for you. Of course, this is the finished version, but it's a great way to listen and learn!!!

April 14, 2020

Hello Viola students! I have finally added Lightly Row to the bottom of this page with some instructions and a video for that song plus French Folk Song. Please send me videos when you have a problem you need my help with or if you just want to share your performance. I hope you all enjoyed Easter or Passover or just seeing spring arriving! I have been working in my garden, playing with my dog, trying to find a way to record myself playing that sounds good (haven't tackled that yet- but you know our motto: We Stink But We're Getting Better!) and getting some reading done too. Send me an email to tell me how you are doing. I miss you guys!!!!

March 23, 2020

Good Morning Viola Students! I've added the Twinkle Sandwich to the bottom of this page for those of you who need it. I miss you all!!

Mrs. Lowe

April 2, 2020

I will be adding Lightly Row at the bottom of the page tomorrow for those of you who are ready for something new. Otherwise, if you want to take a little time off from practicing to concentrate on other things...like going outside!...that is ok with me!

Mrs. Lowe

Here is what first year viola students should be working on over the next few weeks.

Review work :

You should continue to review all the Twinkle variations:

1. Mississippi Hot Dog

2. Run Pony, Jump Pony

3. Peanut Butter Macaroni

4. Twinkle theme

Remember:

1. Position is important! Make sure your violin is on your shoulder- not on your collarbone. You know how to do this!

2. Bow hold should be set up before you begin to play. Thumb bent, two middle fingers wrapped around the bow stick, pinkie curved and on top of the bow stick. Remember to keep your hand soft!

3. Start each of the variations by using a downbow- bow moving towards the tip (away from you).

4. Don't forget how your bow arm needs to move. Make an L shape with your right arm and move your hand away from you.

5. Spend at least 5 minutes of practice on review.

New work:

French Folk Song!

Some of you have started this song already. If not, you will find the music on the bottom of the page.

Here are things to be careful of:

1. The last note of each line is a half note with a dot next to it. This means, it's a dotted half note and it's worth 3 beats.

2. The last line is probably the trickiest so work on that first and repeat, repeat, repeat...like 10 times!

3. You should spend at least 15 minutes of practice on this piece.

Up next? Lightly Row!!

Some of you have already started learning this song. If so, you need to continue working on the song.

The page with the fingerings is located below in case you don't have it.

There are no fingers on the A string. If you see a finger number, that note is on the D string.

Remember:

1. Line two and four are the same.

2. Line three is probably the easiest, so spend more time working on the other lines.

3. You can work on small sections and repeat them lots of times. By lots of times, I mean 10 to 20 times.

4. Spend at least 10 minutes of practice on this piece.