Pre-Twinkle – Material Overview for Teachers
Dear Violin Teacher, welcome to our Pre-Twinkle materials!
They offer a joyful, step-by-step introduction to violin playing for young beginners and their parents.
The materials are based on Let's Practice Together! – Volume 1A, Part 1 (Pre-Twinkle) by Kerstin Wartberg. They combine carefully structured exercises, songs, piano accompaniments, and instructional videos to support lessons and daily home practice.
Our main goal
Help children develop good playing habits from the very beginning – through listening, movement, repetition, and enjoyable daily practice.
The 10 Pre-Twinkle Steps
The Pre-Twinkle program is organized into ten learning steps. Each step introduces new skills and builds on what the child has already learned.
- The Foot Positions
- The Bow Hold
- Holding the Violin
- My First Song
- Preparing the Twinkle Rhythms
- String Crossing from the E String to the A String
- Preparing the Left Hand Fingers
- Songs with All of the Twinkle Rhythms
- More Pieces
- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Teachers can follow these steps at a pace that suits each child. Some children need more time for individual exercises, while others may be ready to move ahead more quickly.
Teaching Materials by Category
The Pre-Twinkle materials are organized into five categories to make it easy to find the resources you need.
🎹 Practice Accompaniments
The central practice resource is Kerstin Wartberg's Practice Resources (PDF + Audio), based on Let's Practice Together!
The materials include:
- Exercises and songs for the ten Pre-Twinkle steps
- Audio recordings and piano accompaniments for daily practice
- PDF materials with instructions and musical examples
- Instructional videos demonstrating the learning steps
The audio track numbers follow the numbering in the Let's Practice Together! eBook. This makes it easier to find the correct recording for each exercise or song.
Encourage parents to use the recordings regularly at home. Short, enjoyable practice sessions are especially valuable for young beginners.
🎧 Listening
Listening is an essential part of Suzuki education.
Regular listening helps children become familiar with the melodies, rhythms, and musical character of the pieces before they can play them independently.
Encourage families to make listening part of everyday life – for example, during playtime, while getting dressed, or during a car journey.
🎼 Ensemble Pieces
Making music together is a wonderful source of motivation, even for very young beginners.
Ensemble activities help children develop listening skills, a sense of rhythm, and the joy of participating in a musical group.
Use these materials in individual lessons, group lessons, or performances, according to the children's current abilities.
🎥 Videos
Our instructional videos support the ten learning steps and offer practical ideas for teachers and parents.
There are three video series:
1. The Journey Through Pre-Twinkle
This series demonstrates the development of fundamental violin skills, from the first posture exercises to the Twinkle variations.
2. Music & Movement
Children experience musical rhythms and melodies through movement before transferring them to the violin. These activities encourage active listening, coordination, and musical expression.
3. Spotlight on!
These videos focus attention on particular technical or musical details. By concentrating on one aspect at a time, children can gradually improve their playing without becoming overwhelmed.
For more information: Please read the PDF Notes on the Video Series, available in the attachments above this article.
👨👩👧 Notes for Parents
Parents play an important role in helping young children develop positive practice habits.
They do not need to be musicians themselves. Their most important tasks are to create a supportive atmosphere, encourage regular practice, and celebrate small achievements.
Our parent materials offer practical suggestions for:
- Listening regularly
- Reviewing familiar exercises and songs
- Preparing new skills
- Supporting the learning of new material
Please also see the PDF Helpful Tips for Parents, available in the attachments above this article and in the Notes for Parents section.
Working with Parents
At the Pre-Twinkle stage, teachers are not only teaching the child. They are also helping parents learn how to support daily practice at home.
Explain new exercises clearly and demonstrate how they can be practiced in small steps. Parents should know exactly what to do at home and what to listen or look for.
It is often helpful to give just one clear practice task at a time rather than a long list of instructions.
⭐ A Tip for Daily Practice
For many parents and children, daily practice is something completely new. Help them begin with small, joyful steps.
For teachers with a Studio or School license, it can be very helpful to create an individual playlist for each student.
A playlist can provide a simple structure for home practice. Encourage the family to begin with just one exercise or song each day. On some days, the child may enjoy playing several items – or even the whole playlist!
The most important thing is to make daily practice a positive experience.
"One exercise a day, played with joy, is worth more than a hundred never started."
– Arjada Hasanaj, Rimini, Italy
We hope these materials will help you create a happy and successful beginning for your young violin students and their families.
Enjoy teaching!
© German Suzuki Institute and IMTEX – Online Media Library