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It was one of those weekends where I was going to post this three days ago (and the day got busy), then two days ago (again, a busy day), and then one day ago - phew, ever have one of those experiences? Forgive me in advance if I missed typos or do some weird grammar; I decided that done is better than perfect and gave myself a 15-minute challenge to get this posted and out to you. This Flash FREEBIE is a fiddle tune - yay, and can be downloaded below for the next 24 hours. You can also check out the store to take advantage of the final days of the annual Back to School Sale, where all sheet music is 50% off regular prices. Happy Music Making! Heather PS - If you missed it, here is the last post that shares my puppy and the gift I send in the mail with w/every order. 
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It's true; everyone who purchases from the Music for Young Violinists store gets some personalized Mail JOY from me (aka "snail mail"). Keep scrolling to see what this is and meet my 14-month old Great Dane puppy. It's also true that I love purchasing hard copies of music on thick paper, bound in a collection (raise your hand if you love this too). In a perfect world, we would all live next to an amazing sheet music store and could pop by anytime we want to get specific materials for beginning-intermediate level violin players. It's neat to envision that, but until this is available, it's my honor to share downloadable sheet music resources with you. These collections came from my direct experience teaching beginning-intermediate level violin players these past 25+ years and were all inspired to fill a void in the existing materials as well as celebrate advancing skill levels. Since I love the traditional hard copies of sheet music printed on durable paper, I send every patron a piece of mini-music and some fantastic violin-themed stickers. Make a purchase at the annual 50% off Back to School Sale, going on thru the end of the month, to have these *mementos of joy show up in your mailbox. *Puppy not included.
Every once in a blue moon, I turn on a computer that sits in a drawer and is so old and broken it doesn't do much but serve as a net for my old ideas. I found one, played around with it and the FREEBIES page now has a new Jig called Jig for Fun (if you have a better idea for a name, please let me know). This new FREEBIE is indeed fun, easy to play, easy to memorize, and perfect for beginning-intermediate level players. All bowings are just suggestions, so play around to find what works best for your style. The Jig for Fun is waaaaaay down on the FREEBIES page, so pour yourself a cup of tea and get ready to scroll to find it HERE:)  What's a "Bonus Bundle?" Bonus Bundles are curated collections of similar supportive resources offered at a special price that equals 3 for the price of 2, or better! That's more music, inspiration, and joy to support you on your music-making journey. Currently, the Music for Young Violinists project has the following 5 Bonus Bundles: Holiday Bonus Bundle LARGE Print Music Bonus Bundle Fiddle Music Bonus Bundle Teaching Bonus Bundle Scales Bonus Bundle Click on the links above or pics below to learn more.
Learn a 5 part progression for teaching rhythms to violin students using the Blue Jello Cards from the Music Mind Games materials + 4 additional ways to integrate advanced students in multi-level classes.  Music Mind Games is a music theory curriculum created by Suzuki Piano teacher Michiko Yurko, and it involves a series of colorful materials and progressive games for teaching music theory to children. The entire curriculum is one of the best I have ever seen for effectively teaching complex concepts in natural, developmentally appropriate ways for children. As I progressed in my violin teaching career, the reality of limited time pushed me to narrow my music theory offerings, and the one thing I kept teaching consistently from the extensive Music Mind Games curriculum was the Blue Jello Cards used for teaching rhythm note reading. I developed a 5 part approach for using these for violinists and four challenges to engage and integrate my more advanced students in multi-level teaching situations. On a fun, personal note, I credit the effectiveness of the Music Mind Games curriculum for spawning my career as a composer. After many years of teaching the basics using the Blue Jello Cards, my rhythmic dictation got so strong that I would transcribe different languages into rhythms in my head when I traveled to different countries and use these to compose music. In this video, learn a progression using the Blue Jello Cards from the Music Mind Games curriculum specific for benefitting violinists. The progression shared in the video is: 1- Speak cards (optional hand symbols). 2- Sing in ascending scale. 3- Air bow while speaking/singing. 4- Play on an open string. 5- Play as an A major scale. * Add marching to any of these steps. Have multi-level classes? Learn four additional ways to integrate advanced level students in a challenging and engaging way: 1- Stay on the same open string pitch as the rest of the group but do each card in a different position (i.e., 1st card in III positions, 2nd card in IV position, 3rd card in II position, etc.…) 2- Again, stay on the same open string pitch as the rest of the group but play each beat in a different position (II, III, IV, III, II, I, etc.…) 3- Play a different scale for each card. 4- Improvise a melody. Learn more at www.MusicMindGames.com. More Ideas from M4YV for Teaching Music Theory: Pipe Cleaners & Music Theory/ Blue Jello Cards - Learn a cheap, hands-on, colorful, and easy clean-up activity to support teaching music theory and the Blue Jello Cards to young musicians. The Magic Bag - a Metaphor for the Learning Process - Learn a "magical" way to create a learner's identity in young students using the Blue Jello Cards. How do you teach rhythm and/or music theory in your studio? Let us know in the comments below.  Warm-Up Routines for Violin (tutorial video & PDF chart) uses a simple but powerful open string exercise to learn 13 different technical exercises for beginning, intermediate, and advanced level violin. This resource is for both teachers and students. Teachers can use this to help create a framework of goals to help their students advance the quality of their music-making while developing technique and tone production. This resource is also designed for students to identify what level they are at and take responsibility for ensuring they accomplish the expectations that should be studied at that level. By the end of this tutorial you will learn: 1- Why it is so important to do this warm-up, holding on to the edge of the violin even if you are no longer a beginner. 2- Another reason why every violin teacher should purchase a roll of painter's tape (seriously, this stuff has no end of useful purposes & you will thank me later). 3- A weird but super cool way to use the violin to play the bow (yep, that's not a typo, you read that correctly). Watch the tutorial video below and download the free accompanying PDF chart on the M4YY FREEBIES page. Learn more about the "Violin Teaching Supplies - From a Hardware Store" video referenced in the Warm-Up Routines for Violin tutorial below. Learn more about the "Tiger Paws & Table Corners" technicals also referenced in the Warm-Up Routines for Violin video below. Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, France, New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Norway, Finland, Argentina, Canada, Serbia, United States, Turkey & More! Friends, I am blown away at how music can connect us. The list above is a partial list of some of the musicians who support the Music for Young Violinist project. I am feeling so grateful to have the opportunity to connect. Below is a picture of the thank you notes and neat sticker gifts that I send to all purchases, and they go out to musicians from all over our planet. It warms my heart to share resources that nurture *young violinists. Thank you!!! *young is a state of mind, not a number :)  Here are 2 new FREEBIES that feature the major 7 and harmonic minor 7 arpeggios. The traditional string methodology does not always add these until advanced curriculums, but I see no reason why not. They sound neat and build a bridge to more contemporary-sounding music. These are from a 4-part arpeggio FREEBIE series. You can access Arpeggio Study #1A & Arpeggio Study #1B at these links for a limited time (or keep scrolling down the blog for recent entries). To celebrate this new series of FREEBIES, all of the M4YV arpeggio and scale sheet music collections will be 60% off from now thru the end of the month: One Octave Scale and Arpeggios for Violin One Octave Scale and Arpeggios for Viola 13 Bowing Patterns for Scales 7 Bowing Studies for Beginning Violin Happy music making! Heather
  
This arpeggio study is the 2nd in a series of 4 new arpeggio FREEBIES, and the accompanying minor version to the 1st posted major version. I am confident that you will find something new in these resources to help you bring out the best in your music-making, whether you are a beginner or a veteran teacher. To celebrate this new series of FREEBIES, all of the M4YV arpeggio and scale sheet music collections will be 60% off from now thru the end of the month: One Octave Scale and Arpeggios for Violin One Octave Scale and Arpeggios for Viola 13 Bowing Patterns for Scales 7 Bowing Studies for Beginning Violin  
Scroll down for a new, 2-page G Major arpeggio study, free PDF download. This will be the 1st in a series of 4 new arpeggio FREEBIES, and I am confident whether you are a beginner or a veteran teacher, you will find something new in these resources to help you bring out the best in your music-making. Arpeggios are beautiful just as they are, but even more rewarding is that we learn pieces faster when we devote practice time to our arpeggios. How? Because arpeggios are the "ingredients" that make music, think of arpeggios as the tomatoes and music as the spaghetti sauce. To celebrate this new series of FREEBIES, all of the M4YV arpeggio and scale sheet music collections will be 60% off from now thru the end of the month: One Octave Scale and Arpeggios for Violin One Octave Scale and Arpeggios for Viola 13 Bowing Patterns for Scales 7 Bowing Studies for Beginning Violin  
Happy February! Every year in this month, I celebrate Fiddle music. It started in my studio as a way to brighten up the dreary winters here in the Pacific Northwest and became a fun tradition. Enjoy this flash FREEBIE of Mississippi Reel for Violin and Viola in the key of D Major. I will take this down in one week from posting, so please help spread the good news and tell your fiddle friends to take advantage of this easy and free download. For more fiddle music from the M4YV project, click HERE.
Sorry, you missed out on this flash FREEBIE available for 1-week.
Please sign-up for the M4YV mailing list to be alerted to future flash FREEBIES. This fun fiddle tune is still available for instant download in the M4YV collection Let's Fiddle!!! 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.  Guest author Adrian Martinez helps tackle one of the most popular questions - how long does it take to learn how to play the violin?  How long does it take to learn the violin? We’re going to start by responding to this question with what is perhaps the most frustrating answer: it depends. First, it depends on what you mean by “learn.” Within a day, you might possibly be able to play a few notes - within a week, you might be able to play those notes in a way that kind-of-sort-of sounds like a song. You might then say you’ve “learned” the violin. On the other hand, if you’re asking how long it takes to master the violin, you might fall back on Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours, or you might be really impish and say that absolute mastery is impossible. After all, music is ever-growing and changing, and even micro-adjustments to technique can produce totally different sounding songs. We might then look at the extraordinary variety inherent in humankind. There are so many different students, each with different levels of experience. Someone who has played the guitar before might find it easier to develop a left-hand technique than a total novice. On the other hand, another guitarist might find the lack of frets daunting and disorienting, which could curb their progress.  How you’re learning can also be a pretty important factor. Whether or not you’ve got a personal instructor, if you’re taking online music lessons, if you have access to sheet music, or you’re just trying to guess for yourself. Other factors include:
Of course, you’re not here reading this blog post for the answer “it depends” - though elaborating on why it depends can help you narrow down what your goals and potential barriers might be. We’re going to make some assumptions, then. We’re going to assume you’ve never played an instrument before, you don’t know any music theory - that you’re basically a complete beginner. We’re also going to assume you practice for around 5-6 hours a week (an hour a day with a day or two off or 45 minutes every day) and that you have a teacher.  Month 1:The first month is all about the absolute basics. You’ll learn how to hold the violin and the bow (and yourself). You’ll also learn the basic anatomy of a violin. It’s unlikely that you’ll use the fingers on your left hand during the first month; instead, you’ll focus on your bow technique. You will do exercises like this & this (click on the links for some fun YouTube tutorial videos from M4YV). You’ll also begin to learn the basics of music theory - mainly how to read sheet music. Learning about music theory is an ongoing discipline. There’s an incredible depth, diversity, and richness to theory, especially once you start going outside of the Western canon, so there’s a lot to learn here.
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PS - Thanks again Sticker Mule for your help making these for M4YV!
This picture is from my run to the post office this morning. As of 11/28/20, Saturday afternoon there are still a few left but they are going fast.
Are Too Many Toys Bad for Kids?
According to the article "Too Many Toys are Bad for Children," written in 2017 by Sarah Knapton, science editor of The Telegraph, the average child in Briton has 328 toys but only plays with 12 of them. This statistic reveals that kids use less than 4% of their toys and suggests that we are not wisely investing in our children.
Furthermore, research done at the University of Toledo confirms that too many toys for kids can damage their potential and lead to decreased focus and less imagination.
Furthermore, research done at the University of Toledo confirms that too many toys for kids can damage their potential and lead to decreased focus and less imagination.
I have many remarkable young people in my life and have given cheap disposable gifts. It's hard not to because I love gifting, and we live far away, so spending time together (especially in a pandemic) is difficult. However, when I really think about my values, this is not aligned with building focus, encouraging imagination, nurturing inherent gifts, and fostering meaningful relationships.
There are many ways we can invest in children to encourage higher levels of development and foster our values. When I was a toddler, one of my relatives purchased stock in his company for me. Twenty years later, when I was ready to play on a high-quality violin, this investment had continuously grown in value over the years and was waiting for me to be used on something that has now been used and appreciated almost daily for over two decades. Had my relative used that money on a toy, I would have no recollection of the toy today, no resources to purchase a fine instrument and pursue my violin performance degrees, and nothing to pass along to the next generation in my family.
As I search for a way to close the gap between my values and actions with the gifts I give to the children in my life, I wanted to share these thoughts to confirm what many of you already know - fewer toys are better for children. I hope this spurs a conversation on using our resources to best support the amazing young people in our lives.
Below is a short list of ways to do this:
There are many ways we can invest in children to encourage higher levels of development and foster our values. When I was a toddler, one of my relatives purchased stock in his company for me. Twenty years later, when I was ready to play on a high-quality violin, this investment had continuously grown in value over the years and was waiting for me to be used on something that has now been used and appreciated almost daily for over two decades. Had my relative used that money on a toy, I would have no recollection of the toy today, no resources to purchase a fine instrument and pursue my violin performance degrees, and nothing to pass along to the next generation in my family.
As I search for a way to close the gap between my values and actions with the gifts I give to the children in my life, I wanted to share these thoughts to confirm what many of you already know - fewer toys are better for children. I hope this spurs a conversation on using our resources to best support the amazing young people in our lives.
Below is a short list of ways to do this:
1- Tickets to live performances.
2- Pay for a month of their violin tuition, or sponsor a youth to attend a summer music institute.
3- Buy a new violin case (or music stand, shoulder rest, etc. There are some super creative rosins available for reasonable prices and will make great gifts).
4- Make a practicing counter (click HERE to learn more).
5- Purchase toys that can be used for generations (like wood blocks).
2- Pay for a month of their violin tuition, or sponsor a youth to attend a summer music institute.
3- Buy a new violin case (or music stand, shoulder rest, etc. There are some super creative rosins available for reasonable prices and will make great gifts).
4- Make a practicing counter (click HERE to learn more).
5- Purchase toys that can be used for generations (like wood blocks).
Free sample of the A Major bowing patterns and 50% off sale of the entire collection only available thru Sunday, November 8, 2020.
Students need repetition to master any skill.
The studies in 13 Bowing Patterns for Scales + Harmony are perfect for creating a structure for this success and will benefit the beginning-intermediate level violin player in the following ways:
The studies in 13 Bowing Patterns for Scales + Harmony are perfect for creating a structure for this success and will benefit the beginning-intermediate level violin player in the following ways:
- Designated worksheet pages help the teacher define the amount of repetition expected and necessary to gain fluency in their violin playing.
- Built-in repetition helps with mastering the finger patterns and shifts in the particular scale they study.
- The bowing patterns introduce and enforce popular bowings so that the student can excel in learning new and more advanced repertoire to progress with greater success and ease.
How to Use the Bowing Patterns:
1st - Do the bowing pattern in the air while singing the scale.
2nd- Play on the violin, mastering one pattern at a time. Do not go on to a new pattern until you are consistently successful with the previous pattern. Some students find it easier to start with the patterns on the second page.
3rd- March a quarter note beat while air bowing and singing the scale.
4th- Play on the violin while marching the quarter note beat.
1st - Do the bowing pattern in the air while singing the scale.
2nd- Play on the violin, mastering one pattern at a time. Do not go on to a new pattern until you are consistently successful with the previous pattern. Some students find it easier to start with the patterns on the second page.
3rd- March a quarter note beat while air bowing and singing the scale.
4th- Play on the violin while marching the quarter note beat.
Thank you to Robbie from www.GreatViolinCases.com for sharing his expertise on this guest blog post! Learn more about these cases by clicking on the links below.
Thanks to technology, violin cases have been getting more and more advanced over the past few years. That means they're becoming more protective, durable, lightweight, and temperature-resistant.
And the great thing is, you don't have to break the bank to get a decent case! Many reputable brands are on a mission to make protective cases more affordable for students.
Below is a list of the top 5 violin cases for students based on their unique features.
And the great thing is, you don't have to break the bank to get a decent case! Many reputable brands are on a mission to make protective cases more affordable for students.
Below is a list of the top 5 violin cases for students based on their unique features.
1 - Best Value:
Gewa Pure Violin Cases - starting at $220.
These German cases are as protective as many $600 cases out there! They're made of polycarbonate, which is also used to make shatterproof glass. Plus, the case is more scratch-resistant than many hardshell violin cases. This is a great case for students that plan on playing the violin for at least 4 years.
The neck cushion is adjustable so that it can fit ¾ and 4/4 violins. It's an affordable option for parents since you don't need to buy a new case when your child switches from a ¾ size to full-size violin.
These German cases are as protective as many $600 cases out there! They're made of polycarbonate, which is also used to make shatterproof glass. Plus, the case is more scratch-resistant than many hardshell violin cases. This is a great case for students that plan on playing the violin for at least 4 years.
The neck cushion is adjustable so that it can fit ¾ and 4/4 violins. It's an affordable option for parents since you don't need to buy a new case when your child switches from a ¾ size to full-size violin.
Gewa Pure violin case
2 - Best For Multi-Talented Students:
Jakob Winter Violin Cases - starting at $182.
Are you a student involved with lots of activities, and your violin goes along with you for all of these? Then you need a backpack case that is light and easy to transport.
The Jakob Winter violin cases weigh as little as 2.8 lbs. That's as light as it gets! And they all come with 2 backpack straps, so you have the choice of wearing it like a backpack or over one shoulder (while you carry your school backpack).
Are you a student involved with lots of activities, and your violin goes along with you for all of these? Then you need a backpack case that is light and easy to transport.
The Jakob Winter violin cases weigh as little as 2.8 lbs. That's as light as it gets! And they all come with 2 backpack straps, so you have the choice of wearing it like a backpack or over one shoulder (while you carry your school backpack).
Jakob Winter violin case
3 - Best For Showing Up To Every Lesson Organized:
Bobelock 1061 Fiberglass Violin Cases - starting at $260.
Are you a student that needs a case that can help you keep all your materials (music, shoulder pad, tuner, accessories) in one place?
Or else you'd forget them? Then check out the Bobelock 1061 fiberglass violin cases.
These cases have all the features you need to stay organized. They come with covers that have zippered sheet music compartments. There's a velcro strap under the neck of the violin for your shoulder rest. And the spacious accessories pouch is movable! So you can keep all your cleaning supplies, rosin, and accessories in one place and take it with you to your stand.
Are you a student that needs a case that can help you keep all your materials (music, shoulder pad, tuner, accessories) in one place?
Or else you'd forget them? Then check out the Bobelock 1061 fiberglass violin cases.
These cases have all the features you need to stay organized. They come with covers that have zippered sheet music compartments. There's a velcro strap under the neck of the violin for your shoulder rest. And the spacious accessories pouch is movable! So you can keep all your cleaning supplies, rosin, and accessories in one place and take it with you to your stand.
Bobelock 1061 fiberglass violin case
4 - Best For Your Personalized Style (And Why This Matters):
Tonareli Violin Cases - starting at $229.
According to developmental psychologist Eric Erickson, students aged 12-18 need to establish a sense of identity before successfully moving into adulthood. This is also the age most students quit. Having a case that reflects their developing sense of self can help anchor their identity as a musician and support them in playing the violin.
The Tonareli violin cases have the most colors and styles of any brand! They're also the ones who pioneered the cute "cello-shaped" violin cases. Plus, you can easily put on any stickers you like to these cases' smooth fiberglass surface.
According to developmental psychologist Eric Erickson, students aged 12-18 need to establish a sense of identity before successfully moving into adulthood. This is also the age most students quit. Having a case that reflects their developing sense of self can help anchor their identity as a musician and support them in playing the violin.
The Tonareli violin cases have the most colors and styles of any brand! They're also the ones who pioneered the cute "cello-shaped" violin cases. Plus, you can easily put on any stickers you like to these cases' smooth fiberglass surface.
Tonareli violin cases
5 - Best For Electric Violins:
Gewa Bio Violin Cases - starting at $144.
Electric violins have been growing in popularity in recent years, especially among students. That's because they're great with technology! Nowadays, any kid with an iPhone can plug in his electric violin, make music on Garageband, share it on Instagram immediately with all his friends and followers, and probably make a music video at the same time… all on his iPhone.
Electric violins give students a way of "plugging" their instruments into the digital world. And they need a good case to make sure their electric violin is well protected. The Gewa Bio case is a great case for electric violins because the interior is wide. Allowing it to accommodate electric violins of various widths and designs.
Electric violins have been growing in popularity in recent years, especially among students. That's because they're great with technology! Nowadays, any kid with an iPhone can plug in his electric violin, make music on Garageband, share it on Instagram immediately with all his friends and followers, and probably make a music video at the same time… all on his iPhone.
Electric violins give students a way of "plugging" their instruments into the digital world. And they need a good case to make sure their electric violin is well protected. The Gewa Bio case is a great case for electric violins because the interior is wide. Allowing it to accommodate electric violins of various widths and designs.
Gewa Bio violin case
+ BONUS - The Most Durable Cases:
Bam Hightech Violin Cases - starting at $568.
Have you already invested in an expensive instrument and need a case to keep it safe? The Bam Hightech is the most durable case and will protect your asset for a lifetime. Some students have already purchased their life long instruments and are ready to invest in a case worthy of their beloved instruments.
The Bam Hightech cases are incredibly durable. They're stronger than carbon fiber cases, but they do not absorb heat like carbon fiber cases do. They're definitely not the cheapest cases. But if you're serious about protecting your violin, you'll want a Bam Hightech case.
Have you already invested in an expensive instrument and need a case to keep it safe? The Bam Hightech is the most durable case and will protect your asset for a lifetime. Some students have already purchased their life long instruments and are ready to invest in a case worthy of their beloved instruments.
The Bam Hightech cases are incredibly durable. They're stronger than carbon fiber cases, but they do not absorb heat like carbon fiber cases do. They're definitely not the cheapest cases. But if you're serious about protecting your violin, you'll want a Bam Hightech case.
Bam Hightech violin case
Enjoy another flash FREEBIE of one of the best fiddle tunes ever:
The Road to Lisdooonvarna.
Scroll down and click on the file button to access a PDF file of this sheet music free for the next 48 hours.
The Road to Lisdooonvarna.
Scroll down and click on the file button to access a PDF file of this sheet music free for the next 48 hours.
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For duet & trio arrangements of this tune check out the Fiddle Duets collection available in the Music for Young Violinists online store.
Have a suggestion for what you would like to see in the next flash FREEBIE offering?
Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks!
Need something fun & modern with harmonics & double-stops?
Keep scrolling to download The Willamette, a modern fiddle duet, available as a free download for the next 48 hours.
Keep scrolling to download The Willamette, a modern fiddle duet, available as a free download for the next 48 hours.
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You may recognize this sheet music as the artwork in the Music for Young Violinists newsletter headers.
Players love this piece because it is so catchy.
Teachers love this piece because of all the technique hiding inside.
Everything in the Music for Young Violinists store is still 50% off as a part of the annual back to school sale. Sale ends September 26.
Happy Music Making!
Players love this piece because it is so catchy.
Teachers love this piece because of all the technique hiding inside.
Everything in the Music for Young Violinists store is still 50% off as a part of the annual back to school sale. Sale ends September 26.
Happy Music Making!
The M4YV FREEBIES page has been getting organized and is growing!
If you have not recently visited this page of 130+ free downloads, you may enjoy some recent additions, including:
If you have not recently visited this page of 130+ free downloads, you may enjoy some recent additions, including:
Rainbow Scales for Violin & Viola -
Use these LARGE sized musical staff charts with students to help learn note names and use them as a reference and color in the half notes for fun. Many of us are looking for distance ways of connecting with our students right now, and these free charts are perfect for beginners to study the musical staff. Get creative with how you use these and please send me a picture of your ideas at heatherfigi@musicforyoungviolinists.com.
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Samples from the Double-Stop Études (Violin & Viola)
The most recent additions to the Music for Young Violinists project include Double-Stop Études for violin and viola titled: 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Violin and Viola, composed by Heather Figi. Several resources from these collections made their way to the FREEBIES page, including:
1- Interval Charts (in color and black and white) - This is another fantastic activity to email to your students for distance learning. The black and white version is unlabeled so students can study the intervals and write in what interval is represented by themselves.
2- New Spring for 2 Violins - This duet contains double-stops and is also transcribed for solo instruments.
3- Preparatory Exercises the 5 Progressive Double Stop Études (Alto Clef) - Each 4-8 measure section correlates to a longer étude. Some students will be able to learn all 5 in a week, and other students will need more time to learn the 5 preparatory exercises. Do not move on to the full études until these five preparatory exercises are mastered.
1- Interval Charts (in color and black and white) - This is another fantastic activity to email to your students for distance learning. The black and white version is unlabeled so students can study the intervals and write in what interval is represented by themselves.
2- New Spring for 2 Violins - This duet contains double-stops and is also transcribed for solo instruments.
3- Preparatory Exercises the 5 Progressive Double Stop Études (Alto Clef) - Each 4-8 measure section correlates to a longer étude. Some students will be able to learn all 5 in a week, and other students will need more time to learn the 5 preparatory exercises. Do not move on to the full études until these five preparatory exercises are mastered.
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Download 2, PDF printable charts on the FREEBIES page (click here) to learn music theory intervals. The rainbow-colored interval chart lists the names of the intervals and makes a great studio poster. The black and white chart is unlabeled and perfect for printing out for students to have them write in the names of the intervals.
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These two charts are also included in the 5 Progressive Double-Stop Études for Violin, composed by Heather Figi, available here at the Music for Young Violinists store as an instant download.
Click HERE to learn more about this resource.
Click HERE to learn more about this resource.
In the arena of heated conversations among string teachers, the subject of finger #s (i.e., 1, 2, 3) versus pitches (B, C#, D) is a hot topic. I was surprised to read the comments on the blog post Best Way to Learn Violin Notes? and did not expect the consistency of responses. My favorite part was learning how the different countries approach this.
Click HERE to read what others are saying about finger #'s vs. pitches.
Click HERE to read what others are saying about finger #'s vs. pitches.
The pros of using finger numbers are that they are simple and clear. They also can segue nicely into using finger patterns. I am a proponent of teaching finger patterns even if using pitches over finger #s is the preference since they help train the whole and half steps while strengthening the mind-body circuitry. Since the finger patterns correlate nicely with the tapes on the violin fingerboard, it is easy to integrate them into the curriculum, especially at a beginning level.
Another pro of using #'s is to benefit students with special learning needs. These students (i.e., dyslexic, or right-brain dominant learners), have minds that best connect with a # over a letter.
Another pro of using #'s is to benefit students with special learning needs. These students (i.e., dyslexic, or right-brain dominant learners), have minds that best connect with a # over a letter.
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The pros of using the letter name of the note segue into a broader understanding of key signatures. This leads to understanding music theory, and ultimately teaches the universal language of music.
I spent most of my teaching career using finger #s and have to wonder:
I spent most of my teaching career using finger #s and have to wonder:
Was my reluctance to embrace using pitch names a reflection of my struggles with music theory?
I digress but bring this up since many of us had either very limited or unsuccessful music theory training. It was not until I was age 25 and did teacher training and teaching using the Music Mind Games music theory curriculum that I began to understand music theory.
I recently discovered the Fantastic Finger Guides. I think they are fantastic- they offer a quick and economical solution to accurate finger placement and immediately help to code the language of music theory into the beginning level violinist.
In 8 seconds, I applied the Fantastic Finger Guide. It went on smoothly and would be doable for students to apply independently.
Now, a clear map of pitches appears on my fingerboard as well as easy to see finger numbers identified on the side of the neck (perfect to see from "rest position"). The product comes on a beginning version (with less information as not to overwhelm the beginning student) and an advanced version that includes more pitches and a quick visual guide for how sharps and flats work.
Receive 10% off the Fantastic Finger Guides thru July 31, 2020 with coupon code MFYV2020.
Click HERE to learn more and order the Fantastic Finger Guides.
Click HERE to learn more and order the Fantastic Finger Guides.
Giveaway Contest - Win the Fantastic Finger Guides!!!
Entering is easy, scroll down to learn how.
Entering is easy, scroll down to learn how.
After almost a decade of teaching, Toby Weston, educator & creator of the Fantastic Finger Guides asked himself:
Why do we use finger tapes when first learning to play string instruments such as the violin, viola, or cello?
Is there a better way than finger tapes to get our beginners playing correctly with musical confidence?
Learn more about why using pitches instead of finger numbers is empowering to the learning process below by guest blog post author Toby Weston.
Why do we use finger tapes when first learning to play string instruments such as the violin, viola, or cello?
Is there a better way than finger tapes to get our beginners playing correctly with musical confidence?
Learn more about why using pitches instead of finger numbers is empowering to the learning process below by guest blog post author Toby Weston.
I have learned from teaching middle school music for the past 12 years that the best way to improve student learning is to improve the teaching system.
I wondered if there was a better way to teach than with finger tapes because finger tapes don't provide sufficient musical information to help the student grow musically smarter and they are a very abstract teaching tool.
I was concerned that by using finger tapes, my students were labeling the sound only by its physical location and not coding the actual musical language. At one point I used different color tapes for different locations:
1st finger was red, 2nd finger was white, and the 3rd finger was blue.
After a year of playing, most students using this system will code the location as 1st finger on the red tape on the A string, but not code the letter name nor musical language. By the time these students reached the 7th grade, many had deficiencies in understanding their fingerboard in terms of a musical alphabet.
After years of using finger tapes I had a breakthrough in the Fall of 2017:
I wondered if there was a better way to teach than with finger tapes because finger tapes don't provide sufficient musical information to help the student grow musically smarter and they are a very abstract teaching tool.
I was concerned that by using finger tapes, my students were labeling the sound only by its physical location and not coding the actual musical language. At one point I used different color tapes for different locations:
1st finger was red, 2nd finger was white, and the 3rd finger was blue.
After a year of playing, most students using this system will code the location as 1st finger on the red tape on the A string, but not code the letter name nor musical language. By the time these students reached the 7th grade, many had deficiencies in understanding their fingerboard in terms of a musical alphabet.
After years of using finger tapes I had a breakthrough in the Fall of 2017:
Why don't we just put the letter names on the instrument?
This way the student has the information needed to move forward in the music. When a student practices on their own they build correct muscle memory for spacing and also musical alphabet memory. This leads to gaining confidence in their playing without their teacher present. The student can code the music alphabet as their primary thinking versus finger tapes that are too abstract and don't provide any musical information.
I ended up creating the Fantastic Finger Guides to solve this problem for my students. I created the D Major Beginner Guide for my first-year students and the All Notes guide for my second-year students. When students are beginning to learn the violin, less is better thus the rationale for a more simplified finger guide.
Receive 10% off the Fantastic Finger Guides thru July 31, 2020 with coupon code MFYV2020.
Click HERE to order the Fantastic Finger Guides.
Click HERE to order the Fantastic Finger Guides.
How To Enter the Fantastic Finger Guide Giveaway Contest:
- Comment below
- State if you are a "STUDENT" or "TEACHER"
- Write in your learning preference: NUMBERS (for finger #s) or LETTERS (for pitches).
- i..e. STUDENT & Numbers or TEACHER & Letters
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Hi! It's me, Heather. I absolutely love working on the Music for Young Violinists project and all the many facets: blogging, website, music, teaching materials, freebies, videos, newsletter and giveaway contests. The best part is connecting with you so feel free to drop me a line. You can learn more about me on the "ABOUT" page. Thanks!
