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 just added a bunch of new songs to the bottom of this page. Please send me videos when you have a problem you need my help with or if you just want to share your performance. If you don't contact me, I don't know what you are currently working on- so send those videos!

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!!!!

Here is what second year viola students should be working on.

Students who have private teachers should contact them for guidance. I'm sure they will be reaching out to you. Meanwhile, here is what you can work on in case your private teacher is unable to support you.

Review:

Continue to work on pieces you have already finished! Chances are they can still benefit from some additional work.

Make sure that your review pieces are memorized.

Pieces you should already have memorized are:

1. Mississippi Hot Dog

2. Run Pony, Jump Pony

3. Peanut Butter Macaroni

4. Twinkle Theme.

5. French Folk Song

If these are shaky- keep working on them! Find creative ways to play your review pieces: lay on the floor and play, stand on one foot, close your eyes, do deep knee bends, walk in a steady beat...

You should spend at least 5 minutes on review.

Double check your position!!!!

Keep your viola on your shoulder and don't get droopy! It should look like this:

New pieces:

Because you are all in different places with new pieces I'm going to give you some general pointers that you can use for whatever piece you are working on right now. Next week I will post new pieces with fingerings for you to start working on.

1. Find the most difficult spots and work on those first. No spot is too small!

2. Repeat this practice spot lots of times. Really. I mean it. Like 10-20 times. It won't take that much time but it will pay off.

3. Work on individual lines of your pieces. Don't just start at the beginning and play through!

4. You should spend at least 15 minutes on any new piece you are working on.

When you think you've finished a piece, send me a video. I'll let you know if I agree. :0) Then I can send you a new piece to work on.

Some students missed this last point. PLEASE, send me a video of your work on your most recent piece. I will be happy to email you back with advice and information on a new piece.

New pieces are posted at the bottom of this page! Videos to follow!!