Getting Started
Please understand that starting the violin is a big commitment. Practicing is something that the child must incorporate into his or her daily routine, just like eating, homework or bathing. Dr. Suzuki used to say "Only practice on the days you eat."Violin skills must be practiced regularly so that the muscles can be trained. We are creating 'muscle memory'. We are like athletes; we must condition daily or else we lose what we gained that week and have to start all over.
I hate to sound so harsh, but it is a waste of my time and your money to teach the same lesson over and over because of lack of preparation and practice. Please understand that it is a big commitment, in terms of your time, energy, motivation and mind to be a Suzuki parent and student.
Materials Needed for Lessons:
AN INSTRUMENT
I recommend that all students under the age of six start out with a "fake" violin until we get the basics down -- see below for more information.
Students ages approx 6 and up will need an instrument after the first lesson. Please see the Rentals page for information on how to get your own instrument. You may purchase or rent; whatever works with your budget.
SHOULDER REST
A shoulder rest attaches to the back of the violin to fill the space between the collar bone and violin. Everyone's body is shaped differently so one type of shoulder rest will not fit all. I generally recommend the Kun brand (or its generic version sold at CK Violins) since it comes in different sizes and is shaped to the shoulder, but the contoured foam seems to work well with younger students. Bring what you have and we can try out different ones at my studio. I will ask you to purchase whatever seemed to work best for you before your 2nd lesson.
BOOKS & CD
For the first several lessons I do not use any books; I just teach you the violin parts, maintenance, the Suzuki philosophy, posture and basic violin technique. The first song in the Suzuki Method is Twinkle Twinkle Variations, and you will learn this for a VERY VERY LONG TIME. I will teach short songs first, like Hot Cross Buns, or the "Monkey Song". Please note that depending on the age of the student and their practice habits, it can take anywhere from a month to one year or more to move on past the Twinkle Variations.. we'll see how hard they work!
REQUIRED TEXTS:
The follow items are what I use in my beginning teaching curriculum and are Required:
- Suzuki Violin School, Volume 1 Book & CD (Revised Version) Required for all
- I Can Read Music, by Joanne Martin Required for age 6 and up. [You won't use this for a while, but it will be good to have it purchased ahead of time.]
You can purchase these items online at www.sharmusic.com or at one of the local music stores (at CK Violin or the Music Center of Hawaii).
Another useful tool, although not required, are the Mini Violin Flashcards to help teach note-reading. They sell these locally. Make sure you get the 1st position set, not 3rd position.
REQUIRED PARENT EDUCATION
I cannot stress how important a role the parents play in their child's music education, especially when they are young. Dr. Suzuki believed that music instruction formed a triangle between the student, parent and teacher. If one was off-balance, either from lack of communication, support, etc., the triangle would no longer be stable. At home, the parent is the "home teacher"- he or she must play an active role while maintaining a nurturing environment for the child. I thus require parents of young students to read the following books to better understand the philosophy of the Suzuki Method, and to know HOW to practice effectively with your child. If you want your child to succeed, then you must also do your homework.
Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education
Ability Development from Age Zero by Shinichi Suzuki (Required)
Teaching From the Balance Point: A Guide for Suzuki Parents, Teachers and Students by Edward Kreitman
Another book I like is:
How To Get Your Child To Practice Without Resorting to Violence!
For the 3+ year old Beginner:
I recommend starting out with a Foam Violin or Cardboard Box ViolinPurchase the Suzuki Violin CD Volume 1, as well other other classical CDs with violin, and have your child play along to the CD. Children tend to drop, throw and bend the fake violin. They like to believe that the bow is a sword or a cane... so we have to make sure they also respect their "fake" instrument so that they don't do this sort of thing when they get the real thing. I do not use a real violin for the first several lessons anyway.
Another idea for a fake violin is to make it yourself: take a crackerjack box or mini-size cereal box with the food still inside, tape a ruler to it, and then wrap 4 large rubber around it for strings. You can get a dowel stick from Home-Depot (and cut it so that it's about the child's arm's length). When the child is ready to move up to their real violin, they can open up the crackerjacks or cereal box and eat it as a treat!
Every child is different, so while one 3 yr old may be ready to start, another 3 year old is not, and I cannot base it on age. Many teachers follow these minimum guidelines:
- Is your child potty-trained?
- Can your child sit through the entire 30-min lesson without having to crawl up onto Mommy or Daddy's lap?
- Can your child handle practicing at least 10 minutes everyday at home?
Highly Recommended Music Theory Texts for Young Students
There are many books on the market to teach music theory to younger students, but the hardest thing about it is to make it FUN and easy to remember. I have found that books with pictures, tracing and coloring are the easiest for children under six or so.For approximately age 3 and up:
Freddy Fiddle Betty Bow, Violin Activity Book 1 & 2, by Kendra Law
For ages 5 and up:
Mel Bay Beginner Violin Theory for Children, Book 1
Mel Bay Beginner Violin Theory for Children, Book 2
ABC NoteSpeller For Violin by Evelyn B. Avsharian
Other Fun Texts I May Use, for about age 7 and up:
Fun With Notes by Evelyn B. Avsharian
Mississippi Hot Dog Lonely Hamburger Band for Suzuki Violin Students by Evelyn B. Avsharian
