Suzuki Violin - Discussion

[sylpha]

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…

[sylpha]

Baby Beats Class

Using markers (outside class, I use mentos ^.^)
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

[juliazoe4]

I do have some musical background, but I don’t have time!

[phankao]

sylpha:

Baby Beats Class

Using markers (outside class, I use mentos ^.^)
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

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.

Teacher Annie is good with the kids.

[empressplace]

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.

[phankao]

empressplace:

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.

Boy in which video?

[sylpha]

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.

[empressplace]

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.

[phankao]

sylpha:

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!

Actually Wolfgang has one exercise called \"Bunny Hops\" that is good for practising Bow Hand structure. You can use that. They introduce the bunny hops in baby beats.

Bow Bunny is created this way - in this image.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XpAtAv7eph4/TJE-L6cXp-I/AAAAAAAAE50/eCC5tzMWM2M/s1600/violin-bow-hold.jpg

And I used to practise it with my boy with this little words:

Stand Up, Take a bow (*raise thumb like a sign for \"good\"*)
Thumb take a Bow (*bend thumb* - not curved like a slide)

(*Then open hand while thumb still bent and bring down middle 2 fingers)

Bunny Teeth - chomp chomp (*middle 2 fingers chomp down on bent thumb*)
Bunny Ears - Flop Flop (*wriggle the Index & Pinkie like Bunny Ears*).

Then when you put the bunny ears down, it's your bowhand form.
Practise it with a pencil.

[sylpha]

starting off with a marker is more appropriate

http://i45.tinypic.com/25utbp1.jpg\">