Arlene's Studio - the basics
When to Begin
You're never too old and seldom too young to learn to play the violin. Maybe your child has expressed an interest in playing the violin. You might have played the violin in school but haven't touched it for years. Perhaps you heard a player who inspired you. Whatever the reason, you and/or your child can learn to play the violin.
Lessons
In person lessons are preferred, but we can use Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype.
New Families
Parental Involvement Required !
"My kid wants to play the violin, not me! Why do I have to be so involved?"
Suzuki music education is about you, your child, and the teacher (The Suzuki Triangle) working together to develop your child's natural ability. Just as you were involved in teaching your child to talk and walk, so it is with Dr. Suzuki's "mother tongue" method. In a positive and loving environment, your child is guided, using lots of careful repetition and gradual acquisition of skills, listening and practicing every day, taking small steps at a time. No doubt about it, this is a huge commitment on your part, especially at the beginning when you are the one who is taking all the lesson notes and you are the home teacher. It's not forever though. As your child progresses, so does their music practice and independence, including music reading.
Suzuki music education is about you, your child, and the teacher (The Suzuki Triangle) working together to develop your child's natural ability. Just as you were involved in teaching your child to talk and walk, so it is with Dr. Suzuki's "mother tongue" method. In a positive and loving environment, your child is guided, using lots of careful repetition and gradual acquisition of skills, listening and practicing every day, taking small steps at a time. No doubt about it, this is a huge commitment on your part, especially at the beginning when you are the one who is taking all the lesson notes and you are the home teacher. It's not forever though. As your child progresses, so does their music practice and independence, including music reading.
"What do I need to do before my first lesson?"
. Observe at least a couple of lessons. You will see the commitment made by parents, become
familiar with my teaching style, and be able to help your child to feel at ease in a new
environment. You will observe proper behavior at lessons and gain an understanding of how it
all works.
. Read “Nurtured by Love” by Dr. Sinichi Suzuki or watch the DVD. I have copies of the book
and the CD. Longmont public library does too.
. Purchase: Suzuki Violin Book 1 (Revised Edition, with CD), Barbara Barber’s
Fingerboard Geography for violin, both available online.
. Begin listening to the entire CD every day. The music on the CD is the music your child will
learn to play. The more familiar the music, the faster your child will learn to play.
. Come to lessons prepared to take notes.
familiar with my teaching style, and be able to help your child to feel at ease in a new
environment. You will observe proper behavior at lessons and gain an understanding of how it
all works.
. Read “Nurtured by Love” by Dr. Sinichi Suzuki or watch the DVD. I have copies of the book
and the CD. Longmont public library does too.
. Purchase: Suzuki Violin Book 1 (Revised Edition, with CD), Barbara Barber’s
Fingerboard Geography for violin, both available online.
. Begin listening to the entire CD every day. The music on the CD is the music your child will
learn to play. The more familiar the music, the faster your child will learn to play.
. Come to lessons prepared to take notes.
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Once Lessons Begin
At the lessons:
1. Attend all lessons with your child. As the home teacher, you will want to duplicate the lesson as closely as possible. 2. Observe quietly and take notes. Children are easily easily confused when receiving comments from both parent and teacher. Call or email me before or after the lesson with any questions or concerns. 3. Feel free to record or video lessons. At Home: 1. Establish regular daily practice times. Plan ahead. Minimize all interruptions, including siblings, during this precious time with your child. Try a couple of short practices a day, rather than one longer session, especially early on. 2. Parents are responsible for student daily student practice, including listening to recordings. 3. Play the entire Suzuki CD at least once a day. 4. Daily practice time should be at least the length of the lesson. |
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Studio Regulations
- Leave food, candy, and gum at home or in the car. Remove shoes by the front door.
- My house is not childproof. No child should be without a parent anywhere in the house during lessons. Accompany young children to the bathroom. Keep all children with you in the studio.
- Siblings are welcome in the studio if they are well behaved and can play quietly without distracting you from your child’s lesson. Please do not allow them to misuse toys and/or coloring supplies. Help your child clean up. I reserve the right to shorten your child’s lesson and help out with clean-up if you forget.
- Mute your ‘cell phone or put it on do not disturb. Only answer calls in emergencies.
- Students and teacher should acknowledge each other at the beginning and at the end of each lesson.
- When borrowing any studio books or materials, remember to sign them out.