Suzuki Violin - Discussion
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Yup!! If you attend Suzuki group classes at Mac's School (and other schools like Mandeville), all your child will get to learn after one year of expensive lessons is how to play the first song of Suzuki Book 1!
(that being said, Wolfgang Studio told me my child would be able to play Twinkle Twinkle after one term of Baby Beats but that absolutely did not happen!! :rant: )empressplace:
[/quote]Even the best teacher who only spends 6 minutes per week on a child can't do magic!
I think this depends on your child's teacher?!!!phankao:
[quote=\"Koolmama\"](a friend of mine had a child who took half a year in suzuki group class just to learn how to hold the violin properly! :yikes: )
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In other words, it was rather deceptive marketing as my child was absolutely nowhere near mastering even the first 5 notes of Twinkle Twinkle by the end of 10 lessons of Baby Beats!!
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I’m still with Wolfgang. Most children in BB are 3yrs and below. I’ve seen older children move up much faster thru Kinderviolin. In BB, dun expect too much.
For my DD, she only mastered bow hold b4 moving up to "AAAEEE" in Kinderviolin. Missy A loves loves loves Baby Beats. Somehow, the children know that in Kinderviolin, enjoyment has lessen and pace is much faster.
2 terms in BB ==> Bow Hold
2 terms in Kinderviolin => Left hand movement, steady bow hold, can play a proper "song" using open strings. finger tapping 1, 2, 3.
Missy A’s classmate is 5yrs and she can master the steps much faster. In 1 month, the classmate can twinkle twinkle. The rest… younger ones still mooching along… -
Baby Beats Class
Using markers (outside class, I use mentos ^.^)![](\"http://i45.tinypic.com/14kxtow.jpg\")
http://i45.tinypic.com/14kxtow.jpg\">
![](\"http://i47.tinypic.com/2vt9n29.jpg\")
![](\"http://i46.tinypic.com/5z4hp4.jpg\")
Kinderviolin Class
My 3.5 yr old...
https://picasaweb.google.com/105461854522223083190/Violin02?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-snJ396cPNZA&feat=directlink -
I do have some musical background, but I don’t have time!
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sylpha:
Oh, that video is the \"EEE, AAA\" Open Bowing Exercise in BabyBeats. My son was so proud when he could finally do that, I remember. I think in the 2nd term of BabyBeats. I didn't see how he could at first. *haha*. He was over 2.5yo then.Baby Beats Class
Using markers (outside class, I use mentos ^.^)
Kinderviolin Class
My 3.5 yr old...
https://picasaweb.google.com/105461854522223083190/Violin02?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-snJ396cPNZA&feat=directlink
Teacher Annie is good with the kids. -
MissyA looks to be a mature little girl and able to follow instructions. Good job!
I believe Missy A’s bow hold in the video needs correction although I am no expert. The index finger looks squashed together with the rest and pointing downwards. For reference, see the bow hold of the boy in the video with the index finger in the form of a slight hook slightly separated from the other fingers and placed slightly higher up on the bow. -
empressplace:
Boy in which video?MissyA looks to be a mature little girl and able to follow instructions. Good job!
I believe Missy A's bow hold in the video needs correction although I am no expert. The index finger looks squashed together with the rest and pointing downwards. For reference, see the bow hold of the boy in the video with the index finger in the form of a slight hook slightly separated from the other fingers and placed slightly higher up on the bow. -
Getting the"right" bow hold takes time to find the balance. The key is the left hand, to move the fingers deftly on the fingerboard. Even I have trouble as an adult!
PS: phankao, chuckle Missy A is still dreamy in class. We are now getting A1, A2, E1 and E2 to sound right.
Empress meant the boy in the same vid. For info, he is 4yrs while she’s at least 6 months younger. At their age, getting the right bow hold is still teacher-assisted.
One more point to add: the bow hold can look right but many children have probs applying pressure on the string to produce the sound. They can’t control the amount of pressure applied and need time develop a "relax" bow hold while playing. -
I notice the kids in Wolfgang do not have the assistance of bow hold aids. In Mac’s Music School, Mac Cheng places these little foam pieces for the position of the thumb and pinky. There are also these bow hold aids one can buy online.
One thing I have always wondered (and I have not had the opportunity to ask an expert) is whether it is beneficial for a kid to play too young before the fine motor skills are ready. If a child picks up bad habits in order to compensate for immaturity in fine motor skills, would that not be retained in muscle memory? The analogy is with sports. The main advantage I can think of (especially for violin) is the development of sensitivity to musical tones which is best done as young as possible.
This concern of mine is also why I am uncomfortable with group lessons with insufficient personal attention by a qualified teacher. Playing a classical instrument is in reality a very difficult thing. The quality and intensity of instructions/ practice makes a lot of difference to outcome, putting aside personal talent/maturity.
And ultimately, learning an instrument is a luxury not a necessity. And time is precious in Singapore where parents and kids have tonnes of other things to do. If parents have set aside a certain budget/time for musical training, it is important to ensure that the budget/time is used to maximise results.
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