Beginners
Beginning Expectations and Explanations
The tools students need to learn the songs are taught in class. Expectations and directions on how to submit in Canvas have also been given in class. Posture videos are below. Specific Essential Elements songs and instruction can also be found with a Youtube search. This process is designed to help students take responsibility for their own learning.
Students are expected to use their time wisely in class and spend 15 minutes practicing at home every day.
I give students time in class to do the pass-offs in Canvas or in front of me before the end of the quarter.
Most students do well in Orchestra and have 100% in my class.
If your child does not have an A in Orchestra: I have found that students who cannot pass off the required songs/scales before the end of the quarter are regularly not prepared for class and are using their time in class to; go to the bathroom, talk with their friends, pretend they are in a big orchestra and play with their instrument instead of playing their instrument, and/or are not following directions on how to use their instrument. Some students are also frequently absent. These choices require students to spend a lot of time at home catching up. We all want to play music together--but to do that it requires everyone to do their part to learn their part.
Essential Elements Songs are the building blocks of every song we will play in performance. And also every music performance you see and hear. Skipping method book studies will lead to failure to learn how to play an instrument and a failure to participate in music activities. We all want to play "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme music. This is the way to get there!
If your child has had absences due to illness, please use this page to help them catch up.
How a Bowed Instrument Sounds Good
Beginners have lots of instruction in class coupled with time to practice. I use the Suzuki Method to teach students by rote in class; how to hold their instrument, move the bow, and put their fingers down on the fingerboard. This is called posture. Body posture (how they hold their body), left-hand posture (technique), right-hand posture (technique). Students also need to learn how to read pitches and rhythms. I am far less picky about how students learn notes and rhythms because everyone processes symbols differently. However, I give assignments called pass-offs on the product. The resources I am able to provide are direct instruction, Essential Elements, and Theory Time. Students need to use the resources provided and use their time wisely in class and at home to accomplish their goals. If parents and students use private teachers and/or online resources it is totally fine, as long as students can meet expectations for assignments, posture, and performance.
Violin/Viola Posture
We turn our head to the left for beginners so we can look down our fingerboard at our fingers while we are learning how to read notes.
When we pluck our string we will keep our thumb anchored on the fingerbouard.
Cello Posture
Bass Posture
The Right Arm and Right Hand.
Violin, viola, cello, and bass students need to train their right arm in how to move the bow. We move the bow on the string with our elbow. We change the string with the shoulder. This requires a relaxed and flexible wrist to keep the bow moving in a straight line. Practice in front of a mirror! If the shoulder is moving the bow back and forth, please retrain your arm.
The Right Arm for the Cello
Use this exersice to get the bow moving straight.
