Two's a Team Soundtrack (Sutherland & Mt. Greenwood)

More Sound Tracks (Sutherland & Mt Greenwood)

Sound Tracks for Sutherland and Mt. Greenwood

Let's Play Open "D"

This piece is "#2" on the sheet of music that your child has.  The first part of the track is the violin and orchestra playing, the second part is the orchestra only.  Your child should learn the music well enough to eventually play along with this track. 

Lesson One - Basic Violin Posture

Hello there, and welcome to The Practice Room!  Here you will find all sorts of things to help practice at home.  

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Now we have a couple of friendly do's and don'ts...

For Students:  DON'T TOUCH THE BRIDGE!!!  It is very fragile!

For Parents:  If the bridge breaks or falls down, please put the violin in the case and bring it to the next lesson.

For students:  DON'T TOUCH THE PEGS!!!  

For Parents:  In the event that a string becomes too loose to play on, you may carefully tighten it.  Be sure to follow the string to the proper peg, and don't over-tighten it.  Please call if you have questions: 219.696.5401

DO NOT CLOSE THE CASE WITH THE SHOULDER REST ATTACHED TO THE VIOLIN!  

It will not fit in all the way, and you will break the violin!

Setting Up the Violin

The violin in the case.  Notice that it is strapped in with the "seatbelt" around the neck.

Putting on the Shoulder Rest (black plastic thingy :)

The shoulder rest attaches to the back of the violin.  Notice that I am not laying the violin down on a surface to attach the shoulder rest.  Doing so would break the bridge.

Attach one side and then slide on the other.

Slide both feet until they are at the widest part of the violin.

Notice that the side with the "curve" is underneath the chinrest.  The violin will now fit on your child's shoulder.

Again, NEVER TRY TO PUT THE VIOLIN AWAY WITH THE SHOULDER REST STILL ON!  

It will not fit into the case, and you will smash the instrument!

The Bow

This is how the bow should look in the case.  Notice that the hair is close to the stick.  This is achieved by turning the screw on the end of the bow counter-clockwise to loosen the hair.  The bow should always be loose in the case.

Rosining the Bow

You may have noticed that your bow makes no sound or is very slippery on the strings.  This is because it needs rosin.  There is a "cake" of rosin located in the small pocket of the case.  You have to apply it to the hair of the bow for 3-5 minutes the first time you play the violin.  After that, 3-5 strokes per day is sufficient.

Be careful to never touch the hair off the bow with your fingers; it will ruin the hair!

The Bowhold

Have your thumb bent on the bottom of the silver "ferrule".  Have your other fingers curved around the stick of the bow.  Your "pinky finger" is to remain curved and sit on top of the stick.  Please don't be frustrated as this is one of the most difficult concepts.  We will be working on this with the students more in the weeks to come.

Foot Position - Rest Feet, Duck Feet, Playing Feet

Rest Feet - Feet together, like a soldier.

Duck Feet - move your toes out in the shape of a "V", but keep your heels together.

Playing Feet - Take a small "baby step" with your left foot while leaving the right foot in place.  Your feet should make a "check-mark" or Nike "Swoosh" with a few inches between your heels.

Holding the violin in Rest Position

This is the position you use when waiting to play, and while fixing your foot position.

Hold violin underneath your right arm, keeping your arm away from the bridge and strings.  With your left hand, hold the neck of the violin.

Holding the violin in Shoulder Position

This is the position for playing.

Hold the violin on your left shoulder, up on the shoulder, not down on your collarbone.  Your left hand should hold the violin body, while keeping your wrist straight.  (Note: 2nd year students hold the violin by the neck, and have already been properly instructed)

Plucking the Strings

The strings in order from thinnest to thickest are E-A-D-G.  This is also in order of the highest pitched to lowest pitched.

Place your right hand on top of the violin and pluck the string with your first finger, NOT YOUR THUMB.

Your thumb is to be bent and resting underneath the long black piece (fingerboard).  Always pluck over the fingerboard, and not back by the bridge.

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