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Music Theory for Little Violinists
I’m really excited to tell you that my NEW music theory workbooks are available this summer. The PreReading series has just been released. Primer, Book 1 and Book 2, will be available Fall 2024. My students have been testing out these pages and lessons for the last 5 years. I told my husband this is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted, not because the subject matter is hard, but explaining concepts in concise clear, and engaging manner was a challenge. I want a 4 or 5 year old or a non-musical parent to be able to understand. Lesson time is valuable and already rather full. So, I wanted each…
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Christmas Solos for Violin
Here are some recommendations of Christmas solos for violin. All of the Christmas titles listed below come with a printed piano accompaniment. Some of them have downloadable piano tracks to practice or play along. Enjoy some old favorites in new ways this Christmas season. March Level 1B The Nutcracker signals Christmas for many people. And for many students who also take ballet, this is a great opportunity for them to play a piece they hear as they prepare for their part in the Nutcracker. This arrangement is set in the key of D, and the student will need to review moving 2nd finger from low to high. Bow retakes are…
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Thanksgiving Violin Note Names
It’s November! Here is a thanksgiving note naming worksheet for violin. Do you have students traveling over the holidays and can’t take their instrument? Here’s a way to keep violin note reading up over the break. This worksheet can double as a coloring page as well as reviewing first position note names. The student should also write the finger number that plays that note on the line below the note name. Download Thanksgiving Note Name Worksheet
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Violin Music for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving might be the most underrated holiday. Growing up we attended a Praise Service Thanksgiving morning. Many churches celebrate the Sunday before with praise, thanksgiving and testimony services. It is appropriate that singing and music is apart of that service. Maybe you have a time of thanksgiving and singing as a family. If you are looking for some string arrangements for any of these occasions here are some options to consider. Advanced Violin Solos for Thanksgiving Praise My Soul the King of Heaven Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above My Shepherd Will Supply My Need Intermediate Violin Solos for Thanksgiving He Leadeth Me Praise To the…
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Power of Listening
I got to play Peter and the Wolf Saturday for the family/kids concert. to It took me back to laying on the floor in front of our stereo system staring at the LP jacket of the recording and playing with the carpet. I listened to that record so many times! It’s amazing how imbedded that interpretation is in my mind all these years later. A few spots “felt” wrong to me Saturday just because it was different than what was on that recording. 🤣 (don’t worry I played what I was supposed to!) I was reminded: never underestimate the power of listening – especially as a kid!
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Fall 2024 Practice Calendars
I’ve been using practice calendars in my studio this last year. I’ve really liked how these practice calendars have helped both students and parents. It’s given me a way to know how much practice is happening at home during the week. Rather than the conversation that goes something like this…. Me: “Did you practice this week?”Student: “Hmmm, yeah” Me: “How many days were you able to practice?”Student: “Umm.. well Monday I had soccer. And then Tuesday my brother had a swim meet. ummmm Wednesday we were really busy. I practiced on Thursday.” Me: “What about Friday, Saturday and Sunday? Were you able to get some practice in on the weekend?”Student:…
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Hymn Settings for 2 Violins
Celebrate with us Horsehair Music’s newest publication, Immortal, Invisible: Hymn Settings for 2 Violins with Piano Accompaniment. This is a new collection of 10 violin duets. If COVID taught us anything, it is that playing music together is a gift to be enjoyed. These duets will be a great addition to any setting. Shop Now Titles include: This Is My Father’s World Be Still My Soul Immortal Invisible God Only Wise Christ Arose (Lo in the Grave) Like A River Glorious Rock of Ages Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah (with Apples in Winter) Hark the Herald Angels Sing The Love of God Sleepers Awake (Wachet Auf) Listen to Full Length…
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Primer Level
The Magic of Music Theory Primer level is now available at Amazon.com as well as ingramspark.com! This Primer level is perfect for the student who is age 6-10 who has started reading notes or is ready to begin reading. Incorporating the concepts taught in the pre-reading series. Students review pitch placement for the basic finger pattern for all 4 strings. New for this level is learning A and E string notes on the staff. Basic note values of quarter, half, dotted half and whole notes are reviewed. New for this level, 2 beamed eighth notes are introduced for students to recognize and draw. New in Primer level students will draw…
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Spot It!
Here is a new game, Spot It! to help students with terms. My students have struggled recently with knowing what the symbol is actually called. They know what does but the actual term often eludes them. So here’s a game to help them brush up on those terms. Based on the game in the U.S.A. known as Spot It, but in other countries as Dobble. Students have to find the symbol on their card that matches the card in the middle and say the name of the symbol. This version uses basic symbols for all music reading. So this version of Spot It is not string player specific. Download Spot…
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Is My Student Ready for Book 3?
One of my students is finishing up learning the last piece in Suzuki Book 2, Minuet by Boccherini, and we’ve been asking the question “Is my student ready for Book 3?” I actually posed this question to her a couple weeks ago. I wanted to know what she was thinking. She immediately said she didn’t think she was ready for Book 3. I think she has learned the technique points and could be ready for Book 3, but I found it interesting that she didn’t think she was ready. So, I’m taking a cue from her and we are going to do some supplemental literature this summer that is at…
