String Things Students

String Things Students
Little Violinist

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Happy New Year!

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!
After a wonderfully refreshing holiday, it is absolutely delightful to have your children back in my studio again! Thank you for allowing me to 'recharge' so that I can be the best teacher for your child possible!
I wanted to take the time before we launch into the new year to thank each and every one of you for your efforts this past fall. Being a “Suzuki parent” is a big commitment, and I feel so fortunate to be connected with families who see the immense value of music. Learning to play an instrument can be a life-changing experience and I’m humbled that you have chosen me to be a part of this exciting gift that you continue to give your children.
I’ve spent some of my holiday time planning an exciting second term of lessons and I thought I’d give you a “sneak peek” of just some of what’s to come! This term your children can look forward to:
  • Exciting practice incentives for our Practice Chains.
  • Our spring ensemble recital – full of duets, trios, audience participation and other fun! Save the date for May 21st!
  • Our annual Solo Recital where the tradition of the May Pole lives on with even more excitement this year! Save the date for May 28th!
  • The amazing musical games that will be introduced at our group classes. Mark your calendars for January 8 and 29 at 4:30!
I also wanted to reach out to you to let you know that I very much understand the life of a Suzuki parent. Please know that, while I spend most of my time motivating and assisting your children, I’m also here to support you as well! Working as a parent/child/teacher triangle is the optimal way to ensure your children’s success and enjoyment.
You are always welcome to ask for advice on making home practice work, for updates on your children’s progress or for any other musical assistance you may need.
We’re kicking off the new term of lessons with a practice bead event designed to get your children excited and motivated right off the bat. Please watch for information coming home next week. I’m always so appreciative of your assistance in these fun events!
Seeing your children grow, improve and learn to love music is truly the most rewarding part of my job. This past term I saw confidence, progress, creativity, pride, feelings of success and major accomplishments on a weekly basis. These are powerful memories your children are making, and these are invaluable skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. What a gift to your children… what a gift to yourselves to experience … and what a gift for me to be a part of!
See you in the studio,
Ms. VIrginia


Monday, December 28, 2015

JINGLE BELLS!! at the Holiday Lights in the Gardens!

https://www.facebook.com/marlene.rhyne/videos/10208584410186512/

The Strings and Piano students had a blast at the Florida Botanical Gardens on December 23, playing out in the beautiful 75 degree humidity with a light breeze. I didn't get any pictures, but Marlene posted this snippet of video of Jingle Bells. If you have any pictures, I'd love to see them either here or on my email or text!
Happy New Year, Y'all!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Lover's Concerto (With Lyrics) THIS Starts with Minuet 3!

Want to try writing Lyrics to Suzuki Songs?


WRITE YOUR OWN WORDS 

Then come sing them to me!


Here are a few ideas from other students:
May Song
In a little hive there's a bee, make sure you don't sting me.
If you do you'll be very sad, if you do you'll be very sad.
In a little hive there's a bee, make sure you don't sting me.
-Bailey, age 7
Minuet 1 - The Hermione Song
Hermione and her friends, Harry Potter and
Ron Weasley, Neville and Luna Lovegood all go to Hogwarts.
Hermione and her friends, Harry Potter and
Ron Weasley, Neville and Luna Lovegood all go to Hogwarts.
They ride Hogwarts Express all the way up to the castle.
Laughing with friends and chocolate frogs will make time go fast.
McGonagall and Dumbledore teach them their spells.
Snape does the potions. We don't quite trust him. He's kind of creepy.
Quidditch is their big sport. Harry plays Seeker, yes he does.
Griffindor will win. Draco is angry. He lost the snitch.
He who shall not be named is there, lurking around.
Hermione and her friends won't let him get Harry Potter!
Minuet 3- My Busted Arm
I do not like my busted arm. It's very hard to do some stuff.
Like eating with a fork, playing violin and holding a pencil.
I fell off of the zip line and landed on my right arm. Boo hoo!
We went to the doctor, then to the x-ray, then to the ER.
The ER was so fun. They gave me an ipad when I first got to my bed.
I played Hair Salon the whole time and loved it so much.
Then Cinderella came to visit and to take some pictures, too.
Then the nurse gave me a splint and we went back home at 9.
- Lindsey, age 7
Minuet 2 - MOWnuet
Tulips come up in the spring (in spring)
They’re a gardener’s favorite thing (in spring)
Poppies and petunias, don’t forget tiny crocuses,
Parsley, rosemary and thyme (and thyme)
Roses bloom and start to climb (and climb)
Shovels or maybe trowels or maybe
Flowerpots for your plants.
Flower gardens get the glory, and
Vegetables are always useful, so
Why is it that so much space goes to
Raising up boring grass? Don’t you think
Digging around with shovels and trowels
Might be more fun than mowing the lawn?
Raking the leaves is another nice weekend gone.
Plant some fruit trees in a row (a row)
Plant them deep and watch them grow (and grow)
Make me a flower border with cosmos,
Daisies and Queen Anne’s Lace.
-Grace, age 9

OR - Here are the Book 1 Words from another Studio

Up Like A Rocket
Up like a rocket, down like the rain
Back and forth like a choo-choo train.
Around and around like the great big sun,
Land on your head, curve your pinkie and your thumb.

The Flower Song

See the pretty flowers
Blooming in the garden
See the pretty flowers
Red and green and purple.

I'm a Little Monkey

I'm a little monkey,
Climbing up the ladder,
Climbing up the tree to
Eat a pink banana!


Book 1 - first half


Lightly Row
Lightly row, lightly row,
Floating down the river's way.
Geese and swans are swimming past us,
calling to their little ones.

See the waves dash on the boat,
Feel the water with your hand.
Geese and swans are swimming past us,
calling to their little ones.

French Folk Song

Laugh with me, play with me,
Sing me a song.  Sing me a song about fairies and elves.

Fairies have wings and they really can fly.
Elves have tools, and they make bright yellow shoes.
I want some yellow shoes made by an elf.

Song of the Wind

When the wind blows through the branches,
How they bend and sway!  How they bend and sway!
Doves and robins flap their wings and then they fly away, away.
Doves and robins flap their wings and then they fly away.

Go Tell Aunt Rhody (slightly altered Suzuki verson)

Go tell Aunt Rhody, go tell Aunt Rhody.
Go tell Aunt Rhody, old grey goose is dead.

One she's been saving, saving for a bed,
One she's been saving for a bed.

Go tell Aunt Rhody, go tell Aunt Rhody.
Go tell Aunt Rhody, old grey goose is dead.

O Come Little Children
O come, little children, O come, one and all.
All join hands together, both big ones and small.
For peace in our lifetime, we offer this plea,
For peoples together, For you and for me.
-or-
O come, little children, O come, one and all.
O come to the manger in Bethlehem's stall.
And see the Lord Jesus asleep in the hay,
The little Lord Jesus was born Christmas Day.

Long Long Ago (original by Bayly; re-written by Lisa Miles)
Tell me the tales that to me were so dear
Long long ago, long long ago;
Sing me the songs I delighted to hear,
Long long ago, long ago.
Now that you're here, I'm not feeling so sad,
Let me forget, that I missed you so bad.
Sing me the songs I delighted to hear,
Long long ago, long ago.
May Song

Birds are singing, winter is gone.
Fish are in the river.

Up above the clouds sail right by,
Like big banks of snow in the sky.

Birds are singing, winter is gone.
Fish are in the river.

Allegro

Head head, ears ears, shoulders shoulder, nose nose,
Waist waist, knees knees, ankles ankles, clap!
Head head, ears ears, shoulders shoulder, nose nose,
Waist waist, knees knees, ankles ankles, clap!
Lightly swaying, lightly swaying,
as the music gently flows...
Head head, ears ears, shoulders shoulder, nose nose,
Waist waist, knees knees, ankles ankles, clap!

-or-

Wake up, shake up, take off your pajamas
Eat your breakfast, time to go to school.
Wake up, shake up, take off your pajamas
Eat your breakfast, time to go to school.

I don't want to, I'm so tired,
I just want to sleep some more...
Wake up, shake up, take off your pajamas
Eat your breakfast, time to go to school.


Perpetual Motion

Practice, practice, practice, practice,
Every day we get to practice.
Practice, practice, practice, practice,
Every day we get to do it.

If it's sunny, if it's rainy
we don't every get complainy;
Even when the sun is shining,
you will never hear us whining.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and

Practice, practice, practice, practice,
Every day we get to practice.
Practice, practice, practice, practice,
Every day we get to do it!

-or-

Father Mouse gets out of bed;
He grabs his clothes and puts his shirt on.
Father Mouse gets out of bed;
He grabs his clothes and puts his pants on.

Mother Mouse puts on her lipstick,
And she puts a big, red bow on.
Mother Mouse puts on her stockings,
And she puts her pretty shoes on.

Puppy jumps up in a chair
And barks to go outside and chase things.
Puppy jumps up in a chair
And barks to go outside and chase things.


Book 1 - second half


Allegretto

In a place far away on a hot summer day
The three bears' cottage stood on the edge of a wood.

In a place far away on a hot summer day
The three bears went away for a walk.

First the big Papa Bear,
Then the kind Mama Bear,
Far away with his chair
came the small Baby Bear.

In a place far away on a hot summer day
The three bears went away for a walk.

Andantino

Little pig, little pig, let me come in! (wolf)
Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin. (pig #1)
Little pig, little pig, let me come in! (wolf)
Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin. (pig #2)
Big bad wolf is blowing our house,
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! (all 3 pigs)
Little pig, little pig, let me come in! (wolf)
Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin. (pig #3)

Etude

Try to catch me, try to catch me,
As I run away, and then I'll
Try to catch you, try to catch you,
As you run away, but then you'll
Try to catch me, try to catch me,
As I run away, and then I'll
Try to catch you, try to catch you,
As you run away, but first we'll
Run right down the sloping mountain side
And then we'll sail across the canyon far and wide,
But you must try to catch me, try to catch me,
As I run away and leave you panting far behind.

-or-

Honey Bear, dear, Honey Bear, dear,
Do you have a funny 'gator,
Alligator, alligator,
In the blue pond?  Honey Bear, dear
Honey Bear, dear, Honey Bear, dear,
Do you have a funny 'gator,
Alligator, alligator,
In the blue pond?
Yes, I do, so
Let's see if she'll give rides across the water,
See what she will do that's really funny, Bear, dear,
Honey Bear, dear, Honey Bear, dear,
Do you have a funny friend down in the swampy pond?

Minuet 1

See dancers all in a row, moving so gently
Dance to the music, dance to the music,
Bow your head low.

See dancers all in a row, moving so gently
Dance to the music, dance to the music,
Bow your head low.

Partners stand in a row, moving so gently as they go.
Dance to the music, dance to the music,
Bow your head low.
Feet gliding so gently along
Dance, turn around.
Dance to the music, dance to the music,
bow down your head low.

Minuet 3 (words by Judy Gilligan)

Oh, birdie in the nest, Peep, peep.
Where did your mama go?  Peep, peep.
She'll come to see you soon,
she'll bring you a worm.
She'll come back I know.

Oh, birdie in the nest, Peep, peep.
Where did your mama go?  Peep, peep.
She'll come to see you soon,
she'll bring you a worm.
You'll grow big and strong.

Soon you'll take off and fly with your friends up high
Swooping through the sky, gracefully.
Soon you'll sing your cheerful song, You'll bring joy to our hearts.
So, little bird, grow, little bird. Eat all your bugs and worms and seeds.
Every morning you will greet us with your sweet melody.

The Happy Farmer (words provided by Mary Margaret Haraden)

The happy farmer goes out to his fields,
He hoes the weeds and sows the seeds
And stomps the bug.

The happy farmer goes out to his fields,
He hoes the weeds and sows the seeds
And stomps the bug.

No time to rest, or take a little nap.
The happy farmer goes out to his fields,
He hoes the weeds and sows the seeds
And picks the fruit.

No time to rest, or take a little nap.
The happy farmer goes out to his fields,
He hoes the weeds and sows the seeds
And picks the fruit.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Dr. Suzuki says....

Samantha says that Dr. Suzuki is too polite to say "NEVER"!

Dr. Suzuki says, Please don't be lazy.
Just Practice and Practice until you go crazy,
HEY!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Do you have a PRACTICE NEST?


Creating a “Practice Nest” – 5 Ways Parents Can Improve Home Practice




CREATING A PRACTICE NEST… THE WHAT, THE WHY AND THE HOW

You’ve likely heard the term “nest” used when talking about interior home design – meaning a home environment that is comfortable and personalized to what the inhabitant loves. A “practice nest” immediately conjures up an image of exactly what I’m hoping to achieve: a setting where their children feel comfortable, welcome, supported, organized and happy.
When talking to parents about home practice, I first concentrate on parental involvement, daily goals and tasks. Now, let's talk about how to create an environment that is conducive to regular, and (this is key!) enjoyable home practice.

5 WAYS PARENTS CAN CREATE A “PRACTICE NEST”

1. When choosing a location for your practice, select a space that is lived-in, welcoming, and well-lit. Keep it close to “the action” but not in the action. Your children will gravitate to their instrument more often if it is in a central place in your home. Avoid bedrooms, basements and other “put away” places. Feeling shut-off from the family while practicing will inevitably lead to a reluctance to spend time on the piano/violin/viola or cello.
While choosing an appropriate space, also consider the noise factor; not only from the practicing, but also from your family’s day-to-day activities. Your children want to be close by, but not competing with noise from TV’s, dishwashers and washing machines.
2. Make the space warm and welcoming. Your children will be encouraged to spend upwards of 30 minutes every day in this space. Is it a happy place to be for this amount of time? Small adjustments to lighting and heating can make a world of difference. Seek out places with natural light and ensure it is a cheerful and welcoming space that will encourage your child to visit the piano often for their own enjoyment.
3. Ensure your children have all required materials at hand. Help your children put together a small basket or bin of everything they may need for home practice. Pens, pencils, highlighters, and post-it notes will give your children a sense of organization that will then spill over into their practice habits. Your children will also need adequate lighting to see their music, and a music stand to place notes or music on. If you don't own a music stand (wire ones cost under $15) you can improvise by using a cookbook stand or taping the music to a wall or pinning to a cork board.
4. Make the “Practice Nest” a communal space.  Children of any age appreciate company while they practice. Having a chair, couch, beanbag chair or pillows nearby where family members will be inclined to sit, listen and enjoy the music immediately sets the tone for happy time making music. Encourage siblings to stop by and listen quietly, and allow yourself  to sit and listen with undivided attention each time your children practice. A set-up that is conducive to including the family in home practice will encourage everyone involved to make piano practice an activity the entire family can be a part of..
5. Set the stage for organization. Ensure your children’s practice space is uncluttered and organized.  Use a magazine organizer to hold current and favorite materials, and minimize knickknacks.If you can, avoid having the practice room do “double-duty” for laundry, toys and other clutter. Having the books your children need at their fingertips reliably ensures that no time is spent searching for lost or crumpled music. Get into the habit of placing the music books in their appropriate space immediately after each  lesson so they are ready and waiting.
Plus one more! Adding small surprises to your children’s practice nest (fresh flowers, a hand-written note of encouragement, a small treat, a new sticker pad, a special pen etc.) helps to show that you value the time they are spending on their practice and that you appreciate their efforts and dedication. Preserving the “specialness” of their practice space encourages positive feelings towards their home music time.

HOME PRACTICE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN MINUTES SPENT

Cultivating good home practice habits is so much more than logging minutes spent. Long-lasting practice habits that result in long-term progress come from a commitment to making  a vital music practice part of your child’s day-to-day life… not as a requirement, but as a desire. One giant step towards this goal can be accomplished by making your practice room a place he or she looks forward to visiting.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Have you Listened to your recordings TODAY?

Links to Suzuki Recordings to Buy

You will notice there are a number of options available for violin. A word to the wise! Most teachers now use the Revised Editions, and the recording that corresponds to the Revised Editions is the newest one, the version by William Preucil. If you still are not sure which one to get, ask your teacher. (Note: A portion from any purchases made by following these links will go to support Violinist.com.)
VIOLIN
Note from the Editor: The last two books, 9 and 10, are Mozart Concertos No. 5 and 4, and I urge students to find a variety of recording artists and listen to those!
VIOLA
CELLO

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Make Practice a HABIT

21 Practice Days = NEW HABIT

It's back-to-school time, and for many people that means back-to-violin-lessons.
Very often, summer represents a break from routine for students, as they take vacations, enjoy time off from classes and explore other interests. Even those who attend summer music programs may feel a disruption in their routine. It might be a positive disruption that involves intense study and progress, but it can be followed by a let-down upon arriving back in the "real world," which doesn't support that intensity in quite the same way.
Setting up (or returning to) a productive practice routine for the school year is one of the most crucial things you can do for your (or your student's) playing. Why? Because progress on the violin thrives on routine.
Whatever your level, whatever your goals, the best formula for steady progress and solid skill-building is quite simple: daily practice. But it will not happen without planning, discipline and persistence. Every day means every day, no exceptions.
The good news is that the start of the school year is a perfect time to work practice into your schedule, along with all those other routines that will come with the season. Here's how to do it: Form a habit. It takes 21 days to form a habit, but these have to be days in a row. If you miss a day, you have to start again. So practice (or motivate your child to practice) for 21 straight days, and after that, you will actually have a habit formed. You will find that you are compelled by the habit to practice, and if you are a parent, you will find yourself arguing much, much less. (Every day, parents, is much easier in the long run than "some days.")
fall practice calendar
Of course, after those 21 days you still have to make yourself (or your student) practice, but it becomes easier, the longer you feed the habit. The side-effect is that you start playing very well. When you're playing well, it's fun to practice. And the longer your "practice streak" becomes, the less you want to break it. Twenty-one days becomes a month, a month becomes two, then maybe you want to reach six months, or a year! It's a very virtuous circle. I've met students who went for years, practicing every day.
So make your resolution now, while your routine is taking shape for the fall. Make daily practice a part of that routine!
(shared from www.violinist.com)

Pictures, anyone?

OH NO - I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!

If any of you took pictures at the Play In Play Out yesterday, I would appreciate a copy! I can't believe I didn't get any .... I guess we were too busy making music and having a great time! 

Meanwhile, here is a cute picture of box violins made by some beginning violinists! You could actually use this idea as a practice game = color a section for each song you practice!

 Photo

Rest Position Song

http://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/restpositionmusic.jpg

Friday, August 28, 2015



Here's a couple from our last recital, just to get you excited for the Play In!

BACK TO SCHOOL AGAIN!

Well it's here - our annual back to school PlayIn!

Today we'll Play IN, then Play OUTside - With POPSICLES!

We'll have pictures to post later, so stay tuned - it should be lots of fun!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Happy New Year and Let's Get Started!

Today is the first day of Suzuki for the new semester. I am getting ready by practicing and exercising.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful  presents, kindness and playing for other's during the Holiday Season!

Let's make a goal - Dr. Suzuki says you only have to practice on the days that you eat. Since I am eating breakfast now, I guess practicing comes next!

I'll see all my Monday students today and through the week, and then we will have our first group class of the New Year on Friday, January 9th.

Let's get excited about our music and learning!