You are wise to be ready! We recommend that you and your 4-6 yr-old child observe group classes and then individual lessons of children in the program for 2-3 months prior to beginning lessons. This is motivating and informative for both the child and the participating parent. Parents attend all lessons and learn what to do in daily practice with their child.
Purchase "Suzuki Violin School" vol. 1 with enclosed recording by violinist Hilary Hahn! You and your child will begin daily listening to the enclosed recording as well as other fine performances of classical music. This immersion approach makes learning to play easier and faster. When a child thinks she already knows the sounds she would like to make from hearing the recording, it is organic if the song is already playing in her head.
Ask your teacher which violin shop has been most helpful to students. Your child should be measured for the appropriate size instrument. Many shops offer rent-to-buy instruments. It is important that your child NOT try to play the instrument until the teacher has given instruction on how to do it properly. A child who tries to play before instruction will insist he already knows how! This could render him less teachable because he thinks he already "knows" how. Also, his lessons will be remedial, working to retrain what he has already "learned".
The participating parent who attends lessons will run daily practices with her child. She/he will have instruction in playing some of the early pieces. After some training, the parent will be better prepared to support and demonstrate to their child the set up with the violin as well as gain an understanding of the challenge. Some parents prefer to rent a 3/4 size for their own use in learning the first few pieces.
Beginning violin students do not read music (yet) while playing the violin. There are many things the beginner needs to look at. Translating the notes and rests into instructions at the same time as forming early technical habits is more than any child can do at the same time. They build a piece and the techniques needed with their teacher, supported by their practice parent and by daily listening to the recording. This keeps the tune singing in the child's head and instructing them about what is next. It is important to learn first from the sound before trying to translate the written marks on the page into instructions. Playing by ear is a special talent to be developed.
The care of the violin will first be taught to the parent by the teacher. The basics:
1. With a dry, soft cloth wipe off fingerprints and rosin before putting the violin away.
2. Rosin the bow by rubbing the bow hairs against the rosin. Loosen the bow hairs when finished playing. The hairs should never be so tight that the stick loses its curve.
3. Use violin cleaner & polish to be used occasionally. Never use furniture polish or wax or anything not designed for string instruments.
4. All strings will need changing at least once a year and more often for A&E strings.
Ask your teacher which violin shop has been most helpful to students. Your child should be measured for the appropriate size instrument. Many shops offer rent-to-buy instruments. It is important that your child NOT try to play the instrument until the teacher has given instruction on how to do it properly. A child who tries to play before instruction will insist he already knows how! This could render him less teachable because he thinks he already "knows" how. Also, his lessons will be remedial, working to retrain what he has already "learned".
The participating parent who attends lessons will run daily practices with her child. She/he will have instruction in playing some of the early pieces. After some training, the parent will be better prepared to support and demonstrate to their child the set up with the violin as well as gain an understanding of the challenge. Some parents prefer to rent a 3/4 size for their own use in learning the first few pieces.
Beginning violin students do not read music (yet) while playing the violin. There are many things the beginner needs to look at. Translating the notes and rests into instructions at the same time as forming early technical habits is more than any child can do at the same time. They build a piece and the techniques needed with their teacher, supported by their practice parent and by daily listening to the recording. This keeps the tune singing in the child's head and instructing them about what is next. It is important to learn first from the sound before trying to translate the written marks on the page into instructions. Playing by ear is a special talent to be developed.
The care of the violin will first be taught to the parent by the teacher. The basics:
1. With a dry, soft cloth wipe off fingerprints and rosin before putting the violin away.
2. Rosin the bow by rubbing the bow hairs against the rosin. Loosen the bow hairs when finished playing. The hairs should never be so tight that the stick loses its curve.
3. Use violin cleaner & polish to be used occasionally. Never use furniture polish or wax or anything not designed for string instruments.
4. All strings will need changing at least once a year and more often for A&E strings.
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