Teachers’ Notes – Violin 2A

Violin 2A – Material Overview for Teachers

Dear Violin Teacher, welcome to Level 2A!

At this level, students continue to develop secure violin technique, musical expression, listening skills, and confidence in their playing.

An important goal is to help students and parents establish increasingly independent practice routines. Daily listening, regular review, thoughtful practice, and good communication between teachers and parents remain essential.

Here you will find audio recordings, piano accompaniments at different practice tempi, preparatory exercises, additional pieces, PDFs, videos, and other teaching resources.

Main Repertoire – Level 2A

Your Teaching Materials at a Glance

🎹 Practice Accompaniments

Kerstin Wartberg’s Practice Resources – Violin 2A (Audio + PDF)
Practice recordings and piano accompaniments at different tempi, together with preparatory exercises, tonalization studies, additional pieces, and accompanying PDF materials.

The materials are based on Step by Step, Volume 2A by Kerstin Wartberg, published by Alfred, and support the first half of Suzuki Violin School, Volume 2.

⚙️ Technical Studies

Technical studies support the systematic development of right-hand and left-hand violin technique, including bow control, finger patterns, scales, and coordination.

The materials include selected exercises from:

• My First Technique Book (Tracks 1–115)
• My Second Technique Book (Tracks 1–53)
• Additional Finger Pattern Songs

All technical exercises are available with piano accompaniment and can be used in individual and group lessons. Many are suitable for continued practice across several levels.

Further information and practical suggestions can be found in the individual article descriptions.

🎧 Listening

The listening materials include pieces students are learning now and pieces they will learn later. This helps them become familiar with rhythm, pitch, musical character, and phrasing before playing.

Different arrangements, including trio versions, provide varied musical experiences. Regular listening supports memory, intonation, tone quality, and musical understanding.

🔄 Daily Review

Daily review is an essential part of musical development. Teachers select familiar pieces according to the student's needs, lesson goals, upcoming concerts, and group activities.

The structured review recordings in the media library help students maintain their repertoire, develop confidence, and improve the quality of their playing.

Encourage students to return regularly to earlier pieces and play them with beautiful tone, good posture, and musical expression.

♫ Note Reading

Note Reading School for Violinists, Vol. 1 by Kerstin Wartberg is available as a complete eBook in the media library and as a printed edition.

Note reading may begin in Level 2A, earlier, or later, depending on the student's age, reading ability, posture, rhythmic understanding, and pitch awareness.

The book is designed for long-term use and may accompany students through Levels 2A, 2B, and 3A.

Its 22 steps introduce rhythm reading first, followed by pitch reading on all four strings. Each step includes rhythm exercises, pitch exercises, and at least one duet or canon.

Additional resources in the media library include:

• Piano accompaniments for Steps 1–7, 8–14, and 15–22
• Easy duets with piano accompaniments (audio and PDF)
• A video collection with teaching examples and variations

These materials connect note reading with rhythm, pitch, listening, and ensemble playing while allowing each student to progress at an individual pace.

🎼 Ensemble Pieces

Ensemble music for students at different levels. Easier parts allow younger or less advanced students to participate, while more demanding parts offer challenges for experienced players.

Playing together develops listening skills, rhythmic stability, motivation, and musical cooperation.

🎥 Videos

The video collection offers teaching demonstrations, tonalization and sound-development exercises, review strategies, and examples of note-reading activities.

Teachers are encouraged to share suitable videos with parents. They help families understand learning goals and support more focused and confident practice at home.

👨‍👩‍👧 Notes for Parents

In the category Notes for Parents, you will find an encouraging article:

Why Slow Progress Is Not a Sign to Give Up
By Christine Goodner – An encouraging article for parents who feel concerned when their child's musical progress seems slow. It explains why learning an instrument takes time and why periods of little visible progress are not necessarily a reason to give up. Patience, regular practice, and continued encouragement help children develop their abilities over time.

We encourage teachers to share this article with parents and discuss its ideas together.