Suzuki Violin - Discussion

[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\">

[phankao]

sylpha:

starting off with a marker is more appropriate

http://i45.tinypic.com/25utbp1.jpg

Yes, that's right. In fact, I observed that very young kids would tend to grab a crayon/pencil, etc, quite naturally like a violin bowhold.

This is what I saw most times - my boy used those FAT toddler crayons and pencils when he did colouring or other activities.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5440637023_f190433e15_m.jpg\">

When Photo is rotated, you'll see what I mean by it looking like a violin bowhold:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5440637577_b5fb21c9f4_z.jpg\">

Even when at rest, it looks much like it.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5389465181_dd6d59af8c_m.jpg\">

That was why when he was younger and had just started formal violin lessons, I asked my boy to turn his hand palm facing up and place his bow lying in his open palm and form his fingers over it before turning it around to use on his violin. His bowhold would end up more naturally-formed that way.

EXCEPT - you have to remind them to *Bend* their thumb. Bending thumb doesn't come so naturally to little ones. And the way to illustrate it is to tell them to have their thumb \"take a bow\". Bc to bend it the opposite way (curved) is more natural to them! LOL.

[sylpha]

chuckle I second that! Now… I face probs with left hand. The violin has to be held between the thumb and first finger (ie first line mark). After awhile, the neck falls thru the "crack". Wrist position is also not correct.

[phankao]

sylpha:

*chuckle* I second that! Now.. I face probs with left hand. The violin has to be held between the thumb and first finger (ie first line mark). After awhile, the neck falls thru the \"crack\". Wrist position is also not correct.

I put Frog stickers under the neck to remind my son not to squash the \"froggies\". My friend stuck a small box under the neck so her child wouldn't support with her left palm.

BTW, if the violin is a little too big for the child, he/she would have problem pressing the 1st finger mark comfortably with tunnelled fingers.

[sylpha]

Bad habits : It takes time to correct a \"wrong\" position and you need constant practice// just like writing ABCs. I think parents are the best teachers to monitor their progress.


Group lessons: Allow children to bond and learn from each other. Personal teacher can give the child more time. Distance, schedules are also impt factors. Its an individual's preference. Its hard to find a qualified teacher who can teach young children.

Learning an instrument is a not a luxury. Thats what this forum is about right. If you want to self-teach, there's lots of advice right now. Yes, the results take awhile to bear fruit. However, I believe it instils discipline and helps them to \"multi-task\". At their tender age, learning to coordinate eye, hand, (mouth to read aloud) and fingers is no easy feat.

[micollh]

can i ask what’s the right age to start violin for boy ? it’s more difficult than piano am i correct?


where can i go for violin for kid?

[phankao]

sylpha:

If you want to self-teach, there's lots of advice right now. Yes, the results take awhile to bear fruit. However, I believe it instils discipline and helps them to \"multi-task\". At their tender age, learning to coordinate eye, hand, (mouth to read aloud) and fingers is no easy feat.

haha - I'm doing that now, altho' I'm in no way qualified to be a teacher. But circumstances are such that I'll be my child's home and only coach for these 2mths while the teacher is away. No lessons. Thankfully, I've learnt quite a few tricks and tips from his teacher over this past year that he's had lessons with her.