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!!!

Here is what second year violin 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:

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 of you were starting to work on Perpetual Motion, so I've added that below.

Song of the Wind- for those of you who need it. When you review this piece, remember there are 3 bow circles! Also remember that to play a bow circle correctly, you will need a great bow hand with your pinkie curved and on top of the bow. Don't believe me? Try taking your pinkie off the bow and do a bow circle. You will quickly find that it's impossible to do without a bounce on the landing- or without holding your bow in an iron grip. You don't want to do that!!! Keep your bow hand curved and relaxed and it will work just fine.

Ok- if you already know this song, here's a new challenge. See the mf written under the first note? That means mezzo forte or medium loud. That's the dynamic you usually play without thinking about it. (dynamics are the word we use to describe how loud or soft or in between the music being played is supposed to be). So, when you start this piece, you play the way you normally do. If you look at the second line though, you will see a p halfway through the line. That means piano or soft. So, when you play the second line, the second half of the line should sound like an echo. Give it a try and then record yourself playing and send it to me!!