WEEK 3: review, introduction of F#

There are a few students who still do not have shoulder rests! You will fall behind in class if you don't have the proper setup; please take care of this ASAP.

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Violin is a lot like a language. Once you learn a word, you don't stop using it. So, once you've learned a violin technique, keep practicing it.

LISTENING: listen to your Step by Step CD every day. You wouldn't try to learn a language without ever listening to it. This is called the "Mother Tongue Method" because we listen-listen-listen before we start to "speak". Listen in the car, listen during breakfast, listen while you're doing homework. Listen.

REVIEW: make sure you are caught up with the basic techniques we've learned in class so far. Next week, there will be a chart and you will earn a sticker for every technique you can demonstrate PERFECTLY ON YOUR FIRST TRY. If you need help, you will get it, but please use this week to solidify the following:

• head-ear-shoulder; hold violin with just your chin. Left hand on right shoulder.
  
• bow bunny
• Noble Duke of York (round thumb, pinky on it's tip - see previous blog post for examples of a correct bow hold)
• Up Like a Rocket (round thumb, pinky on it's tip - see previous blog post for examples of a correct bow hold)
  
• note circle
• name the open strings (track 1 on your CD)
  
• clapping game (track 27 on your CD)
• fly in the air and land like a bird (round thumb, pinky on it's tip - see previous blog post for examples of a correct bow hold)
• teeter totters (right elbow goes up and down as bow crosses the strings silently. Round thumb, pinky on it's tip - see previous blog post for examples of a correct bow hold)
• taka taka stop stop on E (track 3 on your CD)
• taka taka stop stop on A (track 4 on your CD)
• taka taka stop stop on E and A (track 5 on your CD)

NEW:

• Practice bringing your left hand out and touching just your thumb to the thumb-nest on the neck of your violin. Is there a nice space between your left wrist and the violin? Your hand should look like this:

• With your first (index) finger across from your thumb, tap on the E string 5 times.
• Play taka taka stop stop with your first finger down on the E string. With your finger down like this, you are playing F# (F-sharp).
  
• Play along with track 7 on your CD (page 16/17 in your book)