Monkey Song and A Scale

Dear Parents:  Following are the links to the demos of the important Pre-Twinkle steps that you are doing or soon will do with your Pre-Twinkler.  Please let me know if you have any questions! The pieces should be taught and practiced at home in this order: Flower Song (see preceding blog entry) Monkey Song, Ed Song (in preceding blog entry) and finally the A Scale.  Happy Practicing!

Welcome Pre-Twinklers!

We are excited to have many new students in the Godfrey Studio this fall.  At this time I particularly want to shout out to our adorable Pre-Twinklers, Emma G and Liam H.  To assist our wonderful Suzuki parents in getting those beginning songs going that build the strength, skills and focus leading up to the Twinkle Variations, I am attaching some short instructional videos.  They include The Flower Song and The Ed Song.  The Monkey Song and The A Scale will follow.  Happy Practicing!

How to Help Your Child At His Lesson

• Attend lessons regularly and teach your child to be quiet and respectful if there is a lesson in progress when you arrive.  That way s/he will learn that there is something important going on!
• Please turn off your cell phones but if you absolutely need to use it, please step quietly out of the lesson room.
• When you practice at home, use the same routine and sequence of events that you observe at the lesson. Use the same language and practice the same exercises that I use.  Be creative as well.  If you find a phrase or a Game that helps in daily practice, share it with me!
• Often a child will appear forgetful at his lesson, or do poorly in exercises or pieces that s/he did well at home. Do not become alarmed or interfere too much when s/he is trying to pay attention to the teacher. S/he may not be too familiar with me. By helping too much, the closeness between teacher and student may be delayed.  Be careful with excessive enthusiasm as it may also distract from the teacher-child interaction and concentration.
• Sometimes I will invite the parent to participate so pay close attention to the lesson!
• Don't worry about your child making mistakes, because the lesson is a learning process.
• Good practice is always the cure for not-so-good lessons.  Ask me for more guidance in practicing  if you need it!
• Utilize my Worksheets and write down the important points as I present them.  Study the notes before practice times.  If you do this, your student will make steady progress and will soon be ready for the next step in his learning.
• Younger brothers and sisters are always welcome to come, to listen, and to learn.  However, if they steal away your attention from the child in the lesson, or distract the child himself, other arrangements should be made.
• Show interest in other students but avoid making comparisons between your child and others.  Each one of us is awesome!  Each one of us is unique with a personal environment specific to our needs.
• We have a very supportive family in the Godfrey Studio.  Thank you for your commitment and support at home and in the lessons!  Thank you for your desire to keep LEARNING!!

Suzuki Parent Convention

Dear Parents:

Here is just one more reminder about the very worthwhile Suzuki Parent Convention being held this Saturday April 26.  It is sponsored by our wonderful Suzuki Association of Utah.  The online registration is closed but you can arrive and pay $5 at the door.  Here is the link so that you can see the classes that will be offered:
Suzuki Parent Convention.  It will be held in Draper at the American Preparatory Academy and the directions are on this webpage.  Hope to see you there!

The Benefits of Lesson Trading

Life is so busy!  I know that between the many families in the Godfrey Violin and Viola Studio, collectively there are innumerable sports events and practices, school rehearsals, dance classes, gymnastics, orchestra concerts, choir concerts, and family activities.  Just last week I had eight families notify me of not being able to make an upcoming lesson.  Often it is illness or another last minute unforeseen challenge.  For a same day cancellation I do not make up the lesson.  Eight is a large number.  Usually I have maybe one or two.  This prompted me to update the contact information for parents and students in my studio on the Phone-Email list and make sure that all students and families received this file, along with my current teaching schedule.  Since I don't have a secretary or receptionist (wouldn't that be nice?)  I am hoping that when a student cannot make their lesson time they will try to trade with someone else that I teach.  I am certain that there are parents or students who would rather not "bother" with this task and just take the makeup lesson at the end of the month.  Then again many will call or email another family to try to trade times.  I know how hard each family initially works with me at the beginning of the year to obtain a time that fits well into their lives. Certainly we are all in the same boat.  To my studio families, I would suggest, since everyone occasionally has a lesson that they can't make please consider trading if you possibly can with someone who approaches you in a bind for a trade.  They may in turn be happy to help you when you have conflicts.  When you do this you are not only helping each other but you are helping me.

I don't want you to miss your lesson.  It slows the flow of what we are working on when you skip a lesson.  This is manifest when we have the "Off" week at the end of the month after the group lesson, although I consciously try to send home enough material so that each student will practice well for two weeks.  I may not be able to give up non-scheduled teaching time for a makeup.  When you have a conflict I realize that you may look at the schedule and not see even one lesson time that you can make, even if a trade were possible.  In that case the end of the month makeup is usually available or I might be able to fit you in someplace during the week that works for both of us.  The Godfrey Violin and Viola Studio has more students than it did six months ago and so my non-scheduled time is less than it was.

I am so blessed to teach the special young people that come into my life.  I want to give each of them the best that I am capable of.  I know that working together in the Godfrey Violin and Viola Studio we are giving children a powerful musical legacy. Each developing talent brings me much joy and satisfaction.  Thank you for your many kindnesses to me and for your consideration of the makeup policies, just another detail in the excellent process that we are engaged in.     

Excellence and Fun From the Start!

Isn't it great to play the violin or the viola?  When we first start with the Suzuki method it is SO exciting.  To hear the sound of beautiful violin or viola tone, see the teacher demonstrate and after learning many essential pre-twinkle skills to finally replicate the magic--please Mom can I do it again?  That is the moment we want to have over and over, progressing with each repetition, motivated by each small success.  I love putting myself in the child's shoes and experiencing this with each new beginner.  Difficult as it may be at home to find the perfect time of day to practice and re-create this bubble in yours and your child's life, whenever you do, it is like adding another day of sunshine or rain or good earth to the growing seedling.  While working hard on the essential skills such as posture, bow hold, sound of bow on open string, or doing a whole pre-twinkle song perfectly many times,  remember to take a break and play a bow game, or do the marble test, or some cross crawl brain gym (such as marching while crossing hands to opposite legs).  Or, just stop and run around the room!  Remind yourselves how many skills you are learning, and learn to identify them to your child and praise them for success whenever you notice it.  Recently I perused a list of skills learned in Twinkle, and Book 1.  31 Twinkle skills and 44 Book 1 skills, quite amazing!  Remind me to give you a copy of this list for your reference.  Below are the first several Pre-Twinkle Violin and Viola skills:

1. Rest Position
2. Bow
3. Holding Steps
4. Stance: endurance+focus
5. Sidedness
6. Finger numbers
7. Bow hold
8. Up+Down
9. Arm circles
10. Rhythms: clap, tap, soap
11. Bow on violin
12. Quick finger placement

There are many more!  Please enjoy these photos of our newest Twinklers and their Great Starts!!

Olivia's best bow hold

Aubrey's perfect posture

Chantelle has a beautiful bunny!

Isabella starts her Twinkles

The Marble Test is great for Ethan's posture!

Recital Review: Some thoughts on Preparation and Nerves

Kudos to all the performers on last Friday's violin recitals!  Everyone played beautifully.  It is definitely a huge accomplishment to perform a piece of music in a formal setting for a captive audience, at your best. There are many factors that can affect your concentration, nerves and hence your performance.  Being in a rush, running late to get to the concert can definitely increase your stress and up your heartbeat.  One student forgot her violin resulting in a delayed arrival.  Another family mistakenly went to the wrong recital hall.  Most everyone was there early with family and friends to support them.  The spirit in the room was happy and respectful!

Still, the unfamiliar environment can cause your heart to beat faster, palms to get cold and sweaty, throat to get dry, knees to shake.  The best insurance against the effect of nerves and other stress factors is 200% preparation for the big day.  This includes listening to your violin piece every day for at least 2 weeks before the concert.  While you listen, put the printed music in front of you and pretend it is you playing the recording. Imagine yourself playing every note perfectly.  In your mind feel your fingers landing on all the correct notes, and your bow doing all the correct articulation and dynamics.  Feel confident as you mentally perform and end with a perfect musical finish.  Visualize the music, the printed notes.  You can do this while you are riding in the car going places, or just sitting in a chair quietly at your house, before you actually practice with your violin.  Next, make sure a large part of your practice is done slowly, reinforcing every good technique.  Practice with a metronome at a slow tempo so that you develop your inner beat, then gradually increase the metronome speed to your performance tempo.  Believe in yourself!!   You have a wonderful gift and the concert is an opportunity to share it with others.  Look forward to the recital and decide it will be your very best playing.

Of utmost importance is your rehearsal with the accompanist.  Do as much rehearsal as you can with your accompanist.  He or she is your best friend and partner in this concert.  Knowing your solo violin part is not enough to insure a solid performance in the recital.  You must know how it sounds with the piano, and be comfortable playing with the piano.  Work carefully and thoroughly with your accompanist.  Playing with the violin CD is not necessarily a good substitute for a rehearsal.  Often the CD is faster than your performance tempo and it certainly won't adjust to your ritardandos and other subtle tempo changes.  Fortunately with today's technology you can easily record yourself playing with the accompanist and practice with that audio file.

Finally, on the recital day make sure you have eaten a healthy snack before you perform, not a big meal. Save the party for afterwards!  Drink water water water and avoid sodas.  Good performance foods are bananas, a few crackers and string cheese, half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a granola bar.  Avoid candy--it is straight sugar and will not calm your nerves!  Breathe slowly and deeply to calm your heartbeat.  Close one nostril and breathe in with slow controlled even breath.  Then do the same with the other nostril..  Wash your hands in warm water and take advantage of the warm-up room to play out a few jitters.  You may even practice quietly in the warm-up room a couple of numbers before it is your turn.  Just come back into the recital hall at least one number before yours.  At the end of your awesome violin performance don't forget to bow and smile at the audience.  You did this for them and they love you for it!

Godfrey Violin Students are fantastic!!! Thank you for playing for us.

Sincerely, Miss Ruth  

Amazing Institute

The Intermountain Suzuki String Institute was fantastic this year.  As a teacher I am so inspired to rub shoulders with great teachers from all over the world.  Getting to know them and exchange ideas as we work hard with the wonderful students all week helps me to see how music truly is changing the world---in many states and countries far from our own!  Ramona Stirling, ISSI director continues to realize her vision of bringing many diverse individuals together with enormous collective talent and abilities to enrich our experience in Utah.   I especially enjoyed talking with the teachers from Belgium and Singapore and the families from Argentina.  For the 35th anniversary of ISSI we learned a work written for us by Michael McLean called "ISSI Gettin' Down"  which was performed twice by all 800 students and teachers on the final concert!  Wow!  It started with a soulful hymn melody and developed cool funky themes and jazzy tunes throughout, ending with the beautiful crescendo of the hymn tune.  Really wonderful!
Here are some pictures of me with my classes at Institute.....

The Practice Store

The Practice Store is fully stocked for the summer!  Practice every day and earn one practice dollar at your lesson for each week that you are diligent.  Lots of fun summer toys and games, stuffed animals, books and videos to choose from.  

Shaping the Bow Hold

Here is Ricky Wooden demonstrating Pinky Pushups + Open Gates.
These will help you have a flexible well balanced bow hold!

Vibrato Exercise

Here is Anya Hsu demonstrating a the Vibrato Pizza Party drill.

Accompanist Fees

Dear Parents and students:

The accompanist fee is payable to Jules Snarr.  Please remember to pay her on Friday if you have not already at the rehearsal. 

The fees are $20 Books 1-3, $30 Book 4, $40 Book 5 or higher.

She is a wonderful friend and coach.  Be sure let her know how much you appreciate her help.

See you soon!

Ruth

Recital Venue

Dear Parents and students: The Springs Recitals are this Friday May 31^st--tomorrow!!  At 6pm and 7:30pm.  If you are not sure of your recital time please let me know asap. The location is the Summerhays Recital Hall located at 5450 Green Street in Murray Utah 84123.  Take 5300 South going west.  Go past Costco and the hospital.  Go under I-15.  It is the first left turn after all of the freeway on ramps.  Green Street curves around, past an office tower.  You will see Summerhays on your right.  Enter and follow the signs leading downstairs.  The Recital Hall is a large clean room with a stage.  There are many chairs!!! Please invite everyone you can think of!!! Dress is formal, but your choice (not necessarily black and white).  If convenient please bring a treat to share. See you Friday!

Summer Schedule

Dear Families,
Summer is rapidly approaching!  I will be switching the lesson schedule to mornings Monday through Thursday starting the week of June 24th.  The week of June 17th is ISSI, Suzuki Institute.  After the recital you can be thinking about what summer times will work for you.  The summer group lessons are on Fridays at the same times.  We will be combining the Book 4 and the Book 5 students for the 10am group.  This will balance out the numbers in the last two groups.  Also in June you can let me know your vacation schedule.  Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Refreshments

Hello Friends!  I keep forgetting to put your name on the refreshments sign up in the studio.  If you can bring a treat to the recital please comment on this post or send me an email or text message and I will make a note of it!! Yum!!

Time to choose your Recital time

Dear Parents and Students,

It's time to think about which Recital time works best for you.  Please comment to this post or send me an email to let me know.  You can also tell me when I see you at your lesson this week.  Be sure to mention whether or not you can bring a treat for refreshments.