General Information


































Required Materials For Lessons


Violin & Bow 

For ages approximately 2-6 years old, we will use a fake violin until they are ready to "graduate" to the real violin. This may take anywhere from a couple of months up to a year. It depends on how the child's attention span and practice habits at home. Please see the Getting Started page for more information. All other students are required to bring a real violin and bow to every class.



Required Textbooks:


Suzuki Violin School, Volume 1 Book & CD (Revised Version)
I Can Read Music: A Note Reading Book for Violin Students, by Joanne Martin. Required only for age 5 and up, or younger if they are really confident with their ABCs.

Rosin

Rosin is essentially hardened tree sap. You swipe it on the bow everytime before you play, and it leaves a white powder. It makes the bow hair stickier, thus being able to grab on to the strings more and allow for a bigger sound. It is not used to clean the hair!! (I don't know where students hear this...) Your case will usually come with rosin. If not, please purchase some violin rosin. Parents: please hide the rosin from the little ones since it can shatter if dropped.
Rosin will get hard on sticky once on the violin and strings, so you must clean your violin after practicing, see "cleaing cloth" info below.
Most likely your violin will come with rosin when you purchase or rent a violin locally.


Cleaning Cloth

Please keep a cleaning cloth in your case to wipe off the rosin and dust off your violin and bow.  Flannel material works best. You may also use a handkerchief but you must wash it frequently. Do not use a towel.
You can store it on top of the violin like a violin (like a blanket) to protect the bridge.


Notebook

Students are required to bring a notebook to lessons. Parents must take notes for their young child's lessons, jotting down explanations I provide, or how to play a certain song or how to practice a particular section. All students must write down their assignment for the week.


Shoulder Rest

Your violin may come with a shoulder rest. If not, I suggest the Kun brand since it comes in difference colors and sizes. We might use a contoured foam instead. Posture and comfort is essential, so be prepared to purchase what recommend by the second lesson. It may require ordering online. I do not carry extra merchandise in my studio.

You can purchase these items online or at one of the local music stores (at CK Violin or the Music Center of Hawaii). 




Other Recommended Materials:


Music Stand -- for you practicing at home. I require this once they are past the Twinkles. Please do no use your piano, bookshelf, chair or your mom as a music stand.

Violin Pitch Pipe -- to help tune at home. I will teach very basic tuning to the parent or student.

Mini Violin Flashcards to help teach note-reading. Useful but not required.
Make sure you get the 1st position set, not 3rd position.

Mini Nail-Clippers --Please keep them in your case. Fingernails must be kept short in order to play the violin. I will dismiss a student from the lesson if nails are too long at the lesson and nailclippers aren't available.



Suzuki™ Books and CDs

VOLUME 1:
Suzuki Violin School Vol. 1 - Revised(Book & CD)
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 1- Revised (CD Only: Preucil)

VOLUME 2:
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 2- Revised (Book & CD)
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 2- Revised (Book Only)
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 2- Revised (CD Only: Preucil)

VOLUME 3:
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 3- Revised (Book & CD)
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 3- Revised (Book Only)
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 3- Revised (CD Only: Preucil)

VOLUME 4:
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 4- Revised (Book & CD)
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 4- Revised (Book ONly)

** Print Errors and Changes in (Book 1-4) Revised Versions of Suzuki Books --> See PDF

VOLUME 5:
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 5 (Book Only)

VOLUME 6:
Suzuki Violin School, Vol. 6 (Book Only)

VOLUME 7:
Suzuki Violin School, Volume 7 (Book Only)

VOLUME 8:
Suzuki Violin School, Volume 8 (Book Only)

VOLUME 9:
Suzuki Violin School, Volume 9 (Book Only)

VOLUME 10:
Suzuki Violin School, Volume 10 (Book Only)


Other Suzuki™ Books and Texts I May Use:

Suzuki Method: Tonalization
77 Variations on Suzuki Melodies: Technique-Builders for Violin by William Starr
I Can Read Music: A Note Reading Book for Violin Students (Volume 2) by Joanne Martin
Suzuki Method: Note Reading for Violin
Suzuki Method: 21 Pieces for Violin With Guitar (Book)
Suzuki Method: String Orchestra Accompaniments to (Book 1-2) Violin Solos: ScoreAdventures in Music Reading For Violin Book 1by William Starr
The Music Tree Activities (Part 1)