Video Collection No. 2: Very Easy = Suzuki 1

Music & Movement: Lightly Row – May Song

By Kerstin Wartberg

Examples from volume 1A of the Exercise Book “Let's Practice Together!”

Excerpt from the chapter: Preparatory Exercises WITHOUT THE INSTRUMENT

Publication by ISTEX MUSIC PUBLICATIONS in summer 2020

Young children enjoy moving around when they hear music. They feel energy, life, joy and playfulness. Teachers should encourage this desire and include these activities during their teaching. Research has shown that the connection between body movement, rhythm and awareness is beneficial to development throughout childhood. This includes not only thinking and feeling but also motor abilities.

Concrete aims

• Getting to know and becoming familiar with the violin repertoire of the first volume: LET'S PRACTICE TOGETHER!, SUZUKI VIOLIN SCHOOL and STEP by STEP.

• Conveying the basics of rhythm and intonation through singing, clapping and movement games.

• Intensive training of the senses: listening, seeing, touching and feeling.

• Developing physical endurance and dexterity in gross and fine motor skills.

• Growing into the task of daily practice at home as a new area of life to be discovered by both the child and the parents.

• Continuous work on personal and social skills such as concentration, memory, endurance, self-esteem, willingness to perform and social behavior in the group.

Bow Hold Games

Example from volume 1A of the Exercise Book “Let's Practice Together!” by Kerstin Wartberg.

Excerpt from the chapter “Second Step: The Bow Hold”.

Publication by ISTEX MUSIC PUBLICATIONS in summer 2020.

Students of Sergej Simkin from the German Suzuki Association present several bow hold games for beginners.

Spotlight on! Rotating Attention on “Lightly Row”

Spotlight on! Rotating Attention on “Lightly Row”, First Phrase

Example from volume 1A of the Exercise Book “Let's Practice Together!” by Kerstin Wartberg.

Publication by ISTEX MUSIC PUBLICATIONS in summer 2020.

The students of Sergej Simkin from the German Suzuki Association use the first phrase from “Lightly Row” to show how effectively this section can be practised with rotating attention.

Shinichi Suzuki and other well-known music teachers, including the cellist Gerhard Mantel, described a practice method that has proved particularly useful for learning new pieces and reviewing familiar pieces: the method of rotating attention.

This practice method can be compared to a spotlight that illuminates different areas one after another and brings them into conscious awareness. The principle can be applied not only at the beginning level but at all levels of violin playing.

The most important lesson is never to repeat things in exactly the same way again and again. Attention can be directed to a different area each time a section or a whole piece is repeated:

• Posture

• The movement of the right hand

• Bow division

• Sound quality

• Rhythm

• Intonation

• The movement of the left hand

• Text security

There are countless aspects that can be practised in this way. Progress is easy to recognise because the muscles are not tired by long, one-sided effort and concentration is continually refreshed by changing activities.

Spotlight on! Rotating Attention on “Go Tell Aunt Rhody”, First Phrase

Spotlight on! Rotating Attention on “Go Tell Aunt Rhody”, First Phrase

Example from volume 1A of the Exercise Book “Let's Practice Together!” by Kerstin Wartberg.

Publication by ISTEX MUSIC PUBLICATIONS in summer 2020.

The students of Sergej Simkin from the German Suzuki Association use the first phrase from “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” to show how effectively this section can be practised with rotating attention.

Shinichi Suzuki and other well-known music teachers, including the cellist Gerhard Mantel, described a practice method that has proved particularly useful for learning new pieces and reviewing familiar pieces: the method of rotating attention.

This practice method can be compared to a spotlight that illuminates different areas one after another and brings them into conscious awareness. The principle can be applied not only at the beginning level but at all levels of violin playing.

The most important lesson is never to repeat things in exactly the same way again and again. Attention can be directed to a different area each time a section or a whole piece is repeated:

• Posture

• The movement of the right hand

• Bow division

• Sound quality

• Rhythm

• Intonation

• The movement of the left hand

• Text security

There are countless aspects that can be practised in this way. Progress is easy to recognise because the muscles are not tired by long, one-sided effort and concentration is continually refreshed by changing activities.

Music for Violin Beginners: “Snow and Wind”

ISTEX – International Suzuki Teachers EXchange
Violin Teacher Training Courses and Mini-Workshop for Violin Students in Mallorca, Easter 2016

Here is another short piece from our Mallorca workshop. It is suitable for students in early Book 1.

The song “Snow and Wind” has only four notes and can be played with three fingers on the A string.

David Andruss composed the piano accompaniment and arranged all pieces from Step by Step in an EASY and an ADVANCED VERSION.

HERE you can download the EASY version of the piano part.

Fast Finger Lifting

This short video is an excerpt from “The Journey Through Pre-Twinkle” by Kerstin Wartberg and Charles Krigbaum. It draws attention to the fast finger-lifting motion.

The fingers should always be moved from the base joint. Make sure that the student practises with a relaxed left hand.

Specifically, this means that the thumb is not gripping and the hand is not squeezing.

When students practise these fast lifting and dropping motions consistently, they will continuously develop:

• Relaxed fingers and left thumb

• Clean articulation

• Finger strength

• Good intonation

• Quick reflexes

• Security

Guinea Pig's Effort – My First Technique Book by Kerstin Wartberg

The guinea pig demonstrates this important message to young violinists and their parents.

Music: Roller-Coaster Song
Book: My First Technique Book
Author: Kerstin Wartberg
Publisher: ISTEX MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
ISBN: 978-3-946872 01 6