What a fun time for you and your child! You have made the commitment to learn how to play the violin/viola! As we learn how to hold the bow, violin/viola, Twinkle rhythms, How to Build a Playground, and the Double-Stuffed Oreo, we will be learning very important technical aspects while playing lots of games!
Learning so many new things at once can sometimes seem overwhelming. Here are some fun practice ideas for this stage.
Simon Says We always hold the violin in our left hands and the bow in our right hands. You can play a silly game of Simon Says to learn which side is which. For example: "Put your bow hand on top of your head." or "Simon says 'Put your violin hand on your knee.'" Once students get really good at identifying the sides, you can combine it. For example: "Put your bow elbow on you violin foot." Rest Position Song (to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) Rest position, feet in line, Bow Grip Bunny on Pencil Have student race to see how quickly they can get a good bow bunny set on the pencil. Remember, the two most important parts of the bow bunny are the bumpy thumb and curved pinky. Wheels on the Bus The wheels on the bus go round and round, The people on the bus go up and down, The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish, Violin Feet 1. Feet Together | Parts of the instrument song Where is the bridge? (parent/teacher asks) Look Ma No Hands Violin or viola is placed on the left shoulder with the jaw on the chinrest. Left hand should reach across to the right shoulder. (Once this is demonstrated, put left hand with "muffin top" or "table top Chicken on a Fence Post Monkey Song (Violin/Viola) See the little monkey (no fingers, ready play) See the little monkey (keep 3 ready play) The Flower Song (Violin) See the pretty flowers (Open E, ready play) |