Category: Violin Lessons for Kids

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Practice Problems Violin Lessons for Kids

Music Lessons. Who Cares?

Many teachers and families use games and activities to spur on the music practice cycle in their kids. If this works for you, great. But take heed:

Games, stickers and similar activities only motivate the student as far as the game itself. They won’t in themselves make students care about the music or the violin. Then, when the novelty of the game wears off, what is left?

On the other hand, when a kid really cares about music and the violin, meaningful progress will occur, even with a beat up instrument and uneven family support.

For older students and adults, it’s much the same. Your deep passion for the work will carry you through the inevitable bumps and dips.

FOR PARENTS: CREATING KIDS WHO CARE ABOUT MUSIC

Inspire, don’t entertain. It’s not your job to amuse those kids with an endless parade of practice bribes. So prepare to go deeper into the music as a family. Here are some suggestions:

  • Attend lessons and take notes (instead of your iPad). Be involved with the daily practice routine
  • Explore music every day.
  • Listen actively as a family and talk about what you’re hearing.
  • Attend live concerts performed by great musicians across many genres.
  • Quit talking (or even thinking) about “talent” and/or comparing your children to their peers.

Too busy or not interested in doing the above? Then you’ll get poor results at best. Be prepared for “I’m bored,” or “I don’t like violin lessons.” Novelty wears off quickly.

Seriously. If you don’t care, why should your kids?

My bottom line, speaking as a teacher to a student or to a family: “If you don’t care; I can’t help you.”

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Practice Problems Staying Motivated to Practice Suzuki Violin Violin Lessons for Kids

Some Days I Feel Like a Violin Beginner

Don’t resist, instead embrace those days. They’re not a bad thing. Actually they are a good thing.
Now you can erase all your assumptions and once again approach your instrument with a sense of excitement, discovery and curiosity.

Isn’t this the place where your best work happens?

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Violin Lessons for Kids

Steal My Violin Routines

You can steal my practice routines. Or anyone else’s. There’s no shortage of great ideas that work.

My bowings and fingerings are up for grabs too. Just find the ones that work best for you. There are only so many possible solutions, and most have already been “discovered” by others who have already travelled a similar path.

When it comes to the things that make your music and performances unique, it is futile to try and steal that. There is only one Heifetz, Perlman, Hilary Hahn, Darol Anger and Stephane Grapelli. And only one you.

Be authentic. You can riff on the work of others, but in the end people want to enjoy your uniqueness and your gift.

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Violin Lessons for Kids

“Our biggest problem is the kids don’t want to practice violin”

If you’re constantly nagging your kids to practice more, you’re working to solve the wrong problem.

The constant complaining won’t be solved by appeasement, by turning practice into games, by offering gold stickers and other such temporary bandaids. Those approaches only escalate into greater and greater concessions on your part.

No, the solution lies in changing your approach to practice. That begins by increasing your own involvement with and understanding of the process. When you do that, your kids will respond in kind.

True, it won’t happen overnight. But “do as I do, not what I say” definitely applies. And it’s much more effective than throwing your kids in a shark filled pool with the simple instruction of “swim, I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”

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Suzuki Violin Violin Lessons for Kids

Is the Suzuki Violin Method the Best Way to Learn Violin?

Violinist Karen Gomyo – Rising Star Began Her Violin Journey with Suzuki 

I recently got into a semi-heated “discussion” with a rather well known violinist (who shall remain unnamed here). His belief: that the Suzuki Method has “brought forth the end of the era of great violinists.” That this new generation of Suzuki-spawned “violinists-in-a-box” are somehow less creative, and lacking in the musical qualities that make for great performers.

Hogwash.

Is the Suzuki Method the Best? or Should I Take “Traditional” Violin Lessons?

It’s time to dispel a very common myth: that Suzuki lessons are somehow different than “regular” violin lessons. They are not!

In fact, Suzuki instruction is about as traditional as it gets. Students generally follow a similar technical progression. The musical substance starts with folks songs and moves into classical selections. Even the supplemental pieces and etudes that a great Suzuki Method teacher uses, are identical to “traditional” teachers.

So what’s so different about Suzuki instruction? It’s simply a matter of emphasis.

  • Suzuki students are up on their feet and performing from the very beginning. Early in the game they are learning how to memorize music and perform from memory, a super advanced and useful skill set.
  • Suzuki students share a common repertoire which enables them to play with other students anywhere in the world. Suzuki has community baked in!
  • Suzuki teachers have the opportunity to draw upon an amazing peer group of teacher trainers and a well established system of professional development.

 

It’s All About the Work

While some insist on arguing the merits of one method or another, this argument is pointless, even ridiculous. The success of any musical training comes down to many, many factors, the least of which is the specific choice of method.

Match a great violin teacher with a motivated student that enjoys the benefit of consistent family support, and mountains can be moved.

So is Suzuki a great choice for you or your family? I can offer you an unabashed “yes” if you’re ready to embark upon your violin journey with due care.
Still not convinced? Spend a few minutes with  Karen Gomyo’s Tango, or enjoy any performance of the countless Suzuki trained musicians who are inspiring audiences across the globe.