WEEK 4: review, introduction of A string notes for some

Everyone: put your name on EVERYTHING. Today there was a missing shoulder rest and a report of missing rosin - it'll be easy to reunite you with your stuff in the future if it's all labeled with your name or initials.

We are starting to branch into differently-paced groups now, so I will post specific instructions for each class.

B CLASS Listen to the CD every day.
REVIEW	NEW
Violin hold: head, ear, shoulder	Play taka taka stop stop on open A or E while the CD is playing Twinkle Variation A
Bow hold: Up Like a Rocket, Noble Duke of York	Sing the notes to Twinkle while moving body up and down with the pitch (see video I emailed to you)
	Play open E Twinkle along with the CD (track 10)

C CLASS Listen to the CD every day Always start with a down-bow Straight wrists Correct bow holds
REVIEW	NEW
Violin hold: head, ear, shoulder Can you go from rest position to playing position in 5 seconds? How about 3? 1?	Play open E Twinkle along with the CD (track 10)
Bow hold: Up Like a Rocket Noble Duke of York check for curved pinky and round thumb. If in doubt, refer to earlier blog post with photo examples.	Listen to track 6 extra closely every day – I call this song Polar Bear and we will start learning it next week. Try singing along with it.
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E (track 3)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on A (track 4)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E & A (track 5)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E & F# (track 7)
Special notes: Some students still do not have shoulder rests, or all four fine tuners in working condition. Please resolve these issues – these students are not able to fully participate in class otherwise and are bound to become frustrated. Violin is hard enough without these extra challenges! There are three students (in this class of 14) who have only recently acquired violins. These kids have been asked to work extra-extra hard this week so that they can catch up with the rest of the class.

D CLASS Listen to the CD every day Always start with a down-bow Straight wrists!
REVIEW	NEW
Violin hold: head, ear, shoulder Can you go from rest position to playing position in 5 seconds? How about 3? 1?	Play open E Twinkle along with the CD (track 10)
	Repeat all previously learned pieces every day.
Bow hold: Up Like a Rocket Noble Duke of York check for curved pinky and round thumb. If in doubt, refer to earlier blog post with photo examples.	Listen to track 6 extra closely every day. When you play it, does it sound like the CD? You will have an easy time figuring out just where to put your fingers if you listen to the CD daily. This song is written down on page 16/17 of your book, and a preparation for it “Rhythm With Three Fingers (Plucked)” is on page 14/15.
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E (track 3)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on A (track 4)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E & A (track 5)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E & F# (track 7)
Special notes: Some students still do not have shoulder rests, or all four fine tuners in working condition, or all four strings! Please resolve these issues – these students are not able to fully participate in class otherwise and are bound to become frustrated. Violin is hard enough without these extra challenges! Violins need to be maintained in playable, tuneable condition. Email me with any questions. There are a few students and (in this class of 8) who have only recently acquired violins. These kids have been asked to work extra-extra hard this week so that they can catch up with the rest of the class.

E CLASS Listen to the CD every day Twinkle Variations Here are the notes you played today. Each box represents a rhythm, like “taka taka stop stop” or “down wiggle up wiggle”. A E F# E D C# B A E D C# B E D C# B A E F# E D C# B A
REVIEW	NEW
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E (track 3)	Play open E Twinkle along with the CD (track 10)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E & A (track 5)	Repeat all previously learned pieces/exercises every day. There are some bow hold and posture issues that need to be refined in this group.
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E & F# (track 7)
Taka Taka Stop Stop on E (track 3)	Getting from E to D (3 fingers on the A string) quickly and effectively. Practice this with track 8 on your CD (page 16/17 of your book).
	Twinkle Variation: taka taka stop stop – we played through the whole variation 7 times in class today during “Find the Rosin”. Keep practicing this so you can make it even stronger.
	Twinkle Variation: down wiggle, up wiggle – we played through this once. Listen to it on the CD and try to play along with it. Tracks 15-18.
	Twinkle Variation: caterpillar caterpillar – we played through this once. Listen to it on the CD and try to play along with it. Tracks 23-26.
Special notes: Short nails please, at least on your left hand! I will bring nail clippers to class next Monday for anyone who needs a chop-job manicure, but I recommend that you do it yourself. I'm not known for my fingernail artistry. Straight wrists are necessary if you want to play in tune. Watch out for this when you practice. Marley and Lexus – I will have Twinkle Harmony parts for you to play while everyone else is Twinkling. :)