February 28

First of all, there is no school on Friday, March 6, so y'all have 2 weeks to shock & amaze me next time.  :-)  Also, they need to be reviewing the songs they know every day as well as working on the new one(s.)

1st Period -- Today, we worked really hard on May Song.  I'm really impressed with how quickly they've mastered (mostly) Go Tell Aunt Rhody.  In addition, we also learned Allegro.  Two songs in one week!!!!  That's unprecedented, especially in a group class setting, so be sure to tell your students how proud of them you are.  I certainly am very proud of them.  I'll post the notes for May Song & Allegro at the end of this entry.

2nd Period -- We've almost got everything from the Suzuki book memorized.  They've worked really hard, and hopefully everything will be solid next class.   We're memorizing Puppet Show this week, and starting Turkey in the Straw.  Now, Turkey in the Straw has a hard section with an extended 4th finger. (C)  If this is confusing, or frustrating to them, please contact me during the week, so I can help them.  We also learned Bile 'em Cabbage Down, and chose our piece from Pirates of the Caribbean.  In order to get their Pirates music, all the songs from the following memorization list, MUST be memorized.

Memorization List

Minuet 2

Long Long Ago

Allegro

May Song

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

Lightly Row

Twinkles

Puppet Show

Bile 'em Cabbage Down fingers

2 3 2 1 2 3 2 1 A  (all on A String)

This is the low priority piece . . . work on Turkey in the Straw first.

3rd Period -- We began working on Go Tell Aunt Rhody with everyone today, and it went pretty well.  They were challenged to begin working on May Song as well as memorizing and polishing Go Tell Aunt Rhody, and I think they'll do it.  They're sounding really good, but a little reminding about keeping the fingers on the tapes may be necessary at home.

4th Period -- We started Twinkle Theme this week, and I couldn't believe how quickly it all came together.  Keep them working on all their Twinkles this week, and if it goes well, we'll start a non-Twinkle song next time.

Suzuki Songs for this week

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

                                                         E E 

2 2 1 A A 1 1 2 1 A         3 2 2 1 A 1 2 A

--------------------------------------------  

E E 1 1 E      E E 1 1 E

2 2 3                3 2  2 2 3 

--------------------------------------------

                                 E E 

2 2 1 A A 1 1 2 1 A         3 2 2 1 A 1 2 A

--------------------------------------------

May Song

E 3 1 3 1 E      E 

A 2      3      2 A 1 A 

--------------------------------------

E E            E         E E            E 

3 3 2     2 1          3 3 2      2 1 

--------------------------------------

E 3 1 3 1 E      E 

A 2      3      2 A 1 A         

---------------------------------------     

Allegro

3 3 E E 1 2 3 1 E E 

3 3 2 2 1 A 1 2 A   (circle bow)

-----------------------------------------                

3 3 E E 1 2 3 1 E E 

3 3 2 2 1 A 1 2 A   (circle bow)

-----------------------------------------           

1 1 E     1 1 E      1 2 3 1 E 

 A           A                  2 1        (watch teacher)

-----------------------------------------                

3 3 E E 1 2 3 1 E E 

3 3 2 2 1 A 1 2 A   (circle bow)

-----------------------------------------           

Schedule change for February 20 --

Next week -- I will be rescheduling the 12:00 and 12:30 classes to meet together from 11:00-11:30.  My daughter is playing the violin for her school talent show, and they moved the day on me, so I will have to be back in Springville by noon in order to be there for her performance.  As such, next week only, we'll all be meeting together @ 11:00.  Thanks for understanding!!

February 13

1st Period -- We worked on solidifying  Go Tell Aunt Rhody, and Lightly Row.  Both pieces have been posted here in previous weeks, so I'm not going to post the notes again.  However, let me know if you have questions.  We started clapping the rhythm for May Song, which I hope to start with the kids next week.  The rhythm for the first line is as follows:

Long  short long long long short short long -- Long short short long long long

Please start listening to May Song & Long Long Ago as much as possible.

2nd Period -- We worked really hard on Minuet 2 -- please try to memorize at least the 1st 4 lines for next class.    We also finished learning Puppet Show, but feel free to call me if you have questions.  The following pieces should be memorized:

Twinkles

Lightly Row

Go Tell  Aunt Rhody

May Song

Long Long Ago

Allegro

Minuet 1

3rd Period -- We worked on the first line of Go Tell Aunt Rhody, primarily, but if we can work really hard this week to finish Go Tell Aunt Rhody, that would be amazing.

4th Period -- We learned Ice Cream sshhh Cone this week, which is the 2nd Twinkle variation on the CD.  They were doing well in class, but if it doesn't go well at home this week, please let me know.

February 6

I don't know that I will ever get this updated by Friday afternoon, but I keep trying.  Let's make this an amazing practice week!

1st Period -- We learned all of Go Tell Aunt Rhody!  Let's work really hard, line by line to make sure nothing gets forgotten (at least 10x per day, one line per day.  Then,  at the end of the week, put together the whole song, and play it 5-10x per day until next class).  We are also working hard on being able to play our Twinkles faster.  Parents, the secret to this is using less bow.  Keep reviewing French Folk Song & Lightly Row as well.  I'm putting the "music" to Go Tell Aunt Rhody at the end of this entry.

2nd Period -- We worked really hard finishing Minuet 2 this week.  Make sure to practice the green box part at least 10x per day.  Work on any additional hard spots 10x per day as well.  Then, make sure you do the whole song WITH repeats at least 3-4x per day as well.  Our practice focus this week for Minuet 2 is having PERFECT NOTES & BOWINGS, and I know y'all can do it.  Also, please finish memorizing the following, if you haven't already.

Twinkles

Lightly Row

Aunt Rhody

Minuet 1

4th Period -- We also started working on Go Tell Aunt Rhody this week, and learned the 1st line.  Please work on those really hard.  If you want to try to go on, with Mom's help, you can try to learn the middle part, and then surprise me this week.  We are also reviewing French Folk Song, & Lightly Row.  This group is doing really well speeding up the Twinkles . . . . remember to keep your violins up.  I haven't listed numbers of repititions for this group, because it seems that whatever they're already doing at home is working -- so keep up the great work!

Go Tell Aunt Rhody (Bracketed notes are shorter, eighth notes while the rest are quarter notes, or longer)

2 [2 1] A A 1 1 [2 1] A E [E 3] 2 2 [1 A 1 2] A

2 [2 3] E E 1 1 [E 3] 2 2 [2 3] E E 1 1 E

2 [2 1] A A 1 1 [2 1] A E [E 3] 2 2 [1 A 1 2] A

Have a great week!!!

January 30, 2008

Again, I should apologize for the delay in getting this updated.  I had a baptism, funeral, and a migraine yesterday, so it just didn't happen.  Anyway, here we go.

1st Period -- We finished Lightly Row up this week.  Some of the kids still have "uh oh" sections, so if they do, have then practice those sections over and over.  I like giving them the option of playing them 10x perfectly, or 3x perfectly in a row, whichever comes first.  Also, we will be skipping Song of the Wind, and starting Go Tell Aunt Rhody next week.  The more they are listening to Go Tell Aunt Rhody on the CD before class on Friday, the better off they will be.  Incidently, I tell my studio kids that if Dad goes to work humming their new song, then they know they are listening to the CD enough, and I have done my job.    If you don't have the notes for Lightly Row, they are:

E 2 2 - 3 1 1 - A 1 2 3 E E E

E 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 A 2 E E 2 2 2

1 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 E (there are words for this line . . . see if they remember the words)

E 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 A 2 E E 2 2 2

2nd Period -- We worked really hard on Minuet 2 this week.  Most of the kids now know the whole song, except for lines 5 & 6 which we will work on next time.  Also, since we ran out of time, they don't have a new assignment for Puppet Show.  Their main assignments for this week are to finish polishing Minuet 2, what they know so far, and to finish memorizing the pieces on their Memorization list from last week.

Memorization List

Twinkles

Lightly Row

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

Minuet 1

3rd Period -- I am SO PROUD of this class, as they have caught up with my 1st period class (and they are younger!)  See the 1st Period entry for their assignments.

4th Period -- We learned yet another song this week.  They now know Pepperoni Pizza, Tiny Little Caterpillar (same as Elevator Operator in case you have other children in the earlier classes) and now Strawberry Raspberry.  Have them play each piece 5x per day.  They can break up the practice session if they get too tired with the number of repetitions.

ALL CLASSES!  We all need to work on our endurance and be able to keep violins in playing position for all the Twinkle Variations.  I will bring a treat next week for those who can do this.

PARENTS:  Please let me know if you have any objections, of there are any diet restrictions for your students ASAP so I can honor your wishes and also reward their hard work.

One final note -- I can tell that the vast majority of you are making sure your kids are practicing really well, and it's showing.  I'm really impressed with the progress they've made since Christmas.  In all honesty, after a 3 week break for the holidays, I was expecting the words, and have been impressed week after week!  Thank you so much!!