The Art of Teaching Violin
Violin Teachers’ Blog
How Does Tapping Maintain the Bowhold?
It was obvious the trainer had found a system of gears and knobs I’d never seen before. But there were no explanations. Why did these things work?
Vibrato Tips & Insights (4 of 4)
That’s one reason so many students resort to moving their wrist. Just to get something to move! Because when does the hand ever move without the thumb?
Vibrato Tips & Insights (3 of 4)
That’s one reason so many students resort to moving their wrist. Just to get something to move! Because when does the hand ever move without the thumb?
Vibrato Tips & Insights (2 of 4)
That’s one reason so many students resort to moving their wrist. Just to get something to move! Because when does the hand ever move without the thumb?
Vibrato Tips & Insights (1 of 4)
As with the violin movement building blocks, the idea is to isolate each tiny skill one at a time, then put them all together. So what are the basic components of vibrato that have to work?
The Language of Proprioception (2 of 2)
The language is a bit like walking around town with your eyes closed, or the way a sommelier talks about wine. Oak? Cured leather? Tobacco?
Exploring the Wilderness of Proprioception (1 of 2)
We often say things that actually prevent our students from experiencing this sense. What does this sound like? Totally innocuous. Like, “Keep your bow straight,” or “Try to get a cleaner sound,”
Dancing With Words: Purposeful Communication in the Private Lesson
Communication involves the ability to build relationships and motivate students to the highest levels of achievement. This goes well beyond teaching violin, and requires the teacher to learn how to be a mentor and guide. The video shows how teachers can build trust...
Why Use Bowing Patterns with Beginners?
I started experimenting with introducing various “more advanced” techniques during Book 1. The result: my students’ facility went through the roof.
Violin Lessons and Sensory Integration Issues: Ideas for Teachers and Parents
Her fingers fumbled for the notes, and her bow arm was all elbow. By the end of practice she looked and sounded good, but when she picked up her violin the next day it was as though they were starting from scratch.
What Suzuki Knew, That Took Science 50 Years to Prove
Being smart is great … until someone comes along who is better than you. Then you realize, “I don’t have what it takes.”
But what does it take, actually?
Solving the Straight Pinky Problem
She could still extend and re-curve her pinky on a pencil. But she had lost her ability to flex her bow hand while actually playing.
Where was the disconnect? An unexpected discovery about knuckles.
Heart of Violin Teaching
I say that I teach violin. My real job is to keep students’ hearts open.