Category: Bow Hold

Fun Exercises for Violin: Spider Crawls

1/23/2021

Did you know there are 4 ways to do the "spider crawls" on the bow?

Learn all 4 ways, neat tricks for teaching and learning these and get introduced to the ultimate challenge with a short tutorial video below.

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Giveaway Contest!!!

11/10/2018

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Things 4 Strings® Studio Kit:
Bow Hold Buddies®

Every violinists and violin teacher knows the challenge involved with developing a balanced bow hold.

What if there were a way to have constant guidance supporting correct bow hand technique?

I have good news because this already exists with the Things 4 Strings® product solutions for learning and teaching the violin.

Founder Ruth Brons has generously agreed to share a Things 4 Strings® Studio Kit: Bow Hold Buddies®: Bright Blue ($285 value) with one of the Music for Young Violinists teachers.

Things 4 Strings® accessories allow beginning string players the benefits of a relaxed and effective bow hold right from their very first lesson. Eliminating the need for constant bow hold corrections, these learning aids speed players to better tone and bow control. Made in the USA, these accessories are molded of the finest medical-grade silicone rubber, are durable enough for years of use by many students, and are suitable for all bow and hand sizes.

Launched in 2009, Things 4 Strings® patented accessories have rapidly achieved popularity with studio and classroom teachers worldwide. "Your products are really wonderful. I think the fish is for every beginning student a must!" - Nadya Canahuati, MM in Performance & String Pedagogy with Mimi Zweig

Accessory inventor and studio teacher Ruth Brons has been honored for her work advancing strings education by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) with the prestigious Kudos Award. “A Things 4 Strings accessory dramatically reduce the time it takes students to master a proper bow hold. Students' energy can be redirected towards other challenges. Better skills, greater joy!” said Brons.

To enter, post in the comments below in 10 words or less your biggest challenge with helping students master their bowhold.

Winner will be chosen at random at the end of November.

Music for Young Violinists is honored to help spread the good news about the work of Things 4 Strings LLC. Learn more about these innovative solutions to support your music making here on their website HERE.

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Bow Hold Video (Short & Funny)

1/5/2017

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This is a fantastic 1 minute and 38 second video about how to hold the bow and some humor about how not to hold the bow.

Great for students and some chicken soup for the violin teacher's soul.

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Jingle Bells Sheet Music for Violin & Duet Arrangement

12/5/2015

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Happy Holidays!!! Jingle Bells (LARGE print for beginners) & Jingle Bells for 2 Violins with fun double stops are available as free music downloads all of December 2015 here on this website. When you fill out a contact form on the Homepage or FREEBIES page you will be redirected to a link to download these arrangements.

The large print version of Jingle Bells is a sweet treat for your youngest musicians at this time of year and part of a larger collection titled LARGE PRINT Music for Beginning Level Violin which is available as an instant download from the Music for Young Violinist store.

The Jingle Bells duet for 2 Violins is a great way to combine your beginners together with your teenagers who need more of a challenge with some fun double stops. This arrangement comes from Holiday Joy! which is a collection of 14 classic holiday and Christmas songs available as an instant download from the Music for Young Violinist store.

I also added some blank staff paper to this packet for you to transcribe more holiday pieces with your students.

For the month of December get a free collection of Holiday Music with any $10 purchase with coupon code HOLIDAYMUSIC.

Jingle Bells printable sheet music for beginning level violin (large print font) and arranged for 2 violins with fun double stops.

Jingle Bells offered in a large print font for beginning level violinists and arranged for 2 violins.

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20+ Engaging Violin Games for Children

10/6/2015

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Let’s face it, getting kids to stay engaged during violin practice can be tough. Whether they’re tired after a long day at school or they’re frustrated with a particular skill, kids can get easily distracted. To help keep your student or child motivated, try implementing a few violin games into their practice session. Not only will games keep them engaged, but they will also help reinforce important skills and techniques.

At TakeLessons, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of over 20+ violin games.
Each game works on a particular skill, such as reading music, ear training, and violin posture. What’s more, these games can be applied to almost any instrument.

Below is a sample of a few games both parents and teachers can play with their budding musicians.

Simon Says: To help with ear training, play this new rendition of the old-school game “Simon Says.” Taking on the role of “Simon,” start by issuing instructions to the student(s). For example, when you play A on the violin, the kids have to stand up. Or when you play E, the kids have to sit down.

Spot the Mistake: Start by showing students the proper bow hold, then ask them to close their eyes while you set up your bow hold with one obvious mistake; for example, a straight thumb. Once you’re ready, ask students to open their eyes and spot the mistake. They get three chances to guess the mistake before moving on.

Tree Trunk: To practice the proper violin posture, have the child pretend he or she is a tree in the middle of a tornado. If the student’s feet are placed too narrow, then the wind will be able to push him or her over sideways. If his or her feet are placed too wide apart, then the wind can pull him or her forward or backwards.

Children can get easily burnt out when trying to master a complex instrument such as the violin. To help keep them motivated, mix up their practice routine with these fun, educational games. To view all 20+ violin games, click here.

This article originally appeared on TakeLessons.com. Brooke Neuman is a violin and piano editor at TakeLessons, an online marketplace that connects thousands of teachers and students for local and live online music lessons.

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Violin Hacks for Your Studio

7/4/2015

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A "hack" is defined in the urban dictionary as:

A clever solution to a tricky problem.

As violin teachers (or parents of young violinists) our technique development can all be categorized as tricky problems so here are a few photos of "hacks" I have used in my studio to offer solutions for my students. For more, please visit the Violin Hacks & Bow Hold Helpers page.