Make you register at Parks and Recreation Office, so we can continue having fun in this class!
I reviewed with you everything you need to know to count out the rhythms for our next set of classes. Keep your scale sheet and practice one octave scales also (C,G,D). Half notes might be best, holding each note of the scale two beats or taps of your foot (long bows). Call me if you have any questions at 660-9185, or if you'd like to schedule a free private lesson (Christmas present).
Songs we went over started on page 20, song 69 (D scale with quarter and eighth notes alternating). Songs: 80,81,86,89 (our own copied version if you like the double stops), 91 (part A & B), 102, 106, 112, 113, 115, 128, 132, E string notes 156-161, 166, 168, 174. If you have time you can work on Simple Gifts on page 45, part A only once you know your E string notes. There is a chart of all notes on page 47.
The piece by Handel, Bourree is a dance. It already has the fingering marked and if you can learn in pizz or without the slurrs over break you will be that much ahead. We will have the rest of the year to perfect that piece of music. It is often played as a solo, memorized. When a student completes this song they are ready to move ahead in the Suzuki method of string music, that was develped by a well known and recognized teacher from Japan.
Happy practicing! I hope you all have a special Christmas, and get to play the First Noel for some special audience to celebrate this season of thanksgiving for a blessed savior.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
5th grade Beginner Homework for Christmas Break
We had a wonderful last class before Christmas break. Just about everyone was willing to stand up in front of the class and play one of our songs for the upcoming concert, Sunday, Jan. 31. I passed out flyers for this concert with all the information on them, including dress code, location of concert, how to get there and when. It will be really fun to see everyone all dressed up and standing up to either play a solo or duet in front of the audience. They may also add a variation to a tune, as a creative part of the concert.
Here is the list of what songs they are to practice over break. We will still be adding a few songs to the concert when we return to school the week of Jan. 4.
Starting on page 11, Songs 31 and 32, then page 12 songs 33 and 34. We will play Jingle Bells near the middle to tip of bow song 41, and play Mozart's Melody song 43 memorized. On page 15 , songs 44 and 45.
The new songs we plyed are on page 20, rhythm rap 66 and pepperoni pizza 67.
If you would like a free Christmas present of a private lesson at my house, call me at 660-9185. I am home Monday the 21, giving lessons and Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is Christmas Eve and I won't be available again until December 30. Call to make appointment.
A
Here is the list of what songs they are to practice over break. We will still be adding a few songs to the concert when we return to school the week of Jan. 4.
Starting on page 11, Songs 31 and 32, then page 12 songs 33 and 34. We will play Jingle Bells near the middle to tip of bow song 41, and play Mozart's Melody song 43 memorized. On page 15 , songs 44 and 45.
The new songs we plyed are on page 20, rhythm rap 66 and pepperoni pizza 67.
If you would like a free Christmas present of a private lesson at my house, call me at 660-9185. I am home Monday the 21, giving lessons and Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is Christmas Eve and I won't be available again until December 30. Call to make appointment.
A
Friday, December 11, 2009
Adult Class Reviews this week and Will Celebrate Last Class of Quarter Next Week
We continue to learn our scales. I passed out rules for scales that are helpful to memorize. C Scale is first, low 2 finger on D and A strings. We did G Scale for the first time in 2 octaves, rules are low 2 finger on A and E strings, going all the way up to G note on E string (low 2). We did D scale one octave as usual. All of these scales we practiced either with half notes (2 beats), quarter notes, or quarter notes plus 2 eighth notes. There is a chart on page 47 in the book that lists all the notes on the strings in the first position (what we are learning), if that helps.
Remember that for violin and viola all spaces on the staff are either open strings (or 4 on lower string), or 2 fingerings. All lines on the staff are either 1 or 3 fingerings. For cello it is different. All lines on the staff are open strings or 3 or 2 fingerings (depending on sharps). All spaces on the staff are either 1 or 4 fingerings.
We worked on the First Nowell a lot to try and play it evenly with us all together on the first beat of each measure. We should be taping our foot or counting evenly to three as we play to keep it even. It is definitely getting better, and we will work more on rhythm next week, with clapping some rhythms in the book, and then pizzacato. I am planning some fun and easy rhythm pieces that my high school group is also practicing. I demonstrated one of them called "Ear-Igami". We will rehearse separately, but then play the songs with them at the end of the year. We will also do some pieces of music on our own in unison or two part harmony.
We played Ode to Joy memorized (for most people). I stressed everyone learns at their own speed, so don't worry. You can all be good players as long as you try and make slow, steady progress.
We worked on the first line of Simple Gifts pg. 45 in the book. Especially practice the 2nd and 3rd measure on the E string (top space), till you can do it at a reasonable speed pizzacato. The 2 finger is low on the E string. If the eighth notes are slow, the quarter notes have to be twice as slow. LISTEN TO THE SONG ON THE CD AND THAT MIGHT HELP YOU IDENTIFY THE LONG AND SHORT NOTES.
Of course we had to play Bile em Cabbage Down. That is getting to be fun! If anyone learns the break by the end of the year, we will accompany (back you up). It can be duet or trio playing break.
Remember that for violin and viola all spaces on the staff are either open strings (or 4 on lower string), or 2 fingerings. All lines on the staff are either 1 or 3 fingerings. For cello it is different. All lines on the staff are open strings or 3 or 2 fingerings (depending on sharps). All spaces on the staff are either 1 or 4 fingerings.
We worked on the First Nowell a lot to try and play it evenly with us all together on the first beat of each measure. We should be taping our foot or counting evenly to three as we play to keep it even. It is definitely getting better, and we will work more on rhythm next week, with clapping some rhythms in the book, and then pizzacato. I am planning some fun and easy rhythm pieces that my high school group is also practicing. I demonstrated one of them called "Ear-Igami". We will rehearse separately, but then play the songs with them at the end of the year. We will also do some pieces of music on our own in unison or two part harmony.
We played Ode to Joy memorized (for most people). I stressed everyone learns at their own speed, so don't worry. You can all be good players as long as you try and make slow, steady progress.
We worked on the first line of Simple Gifts pg. 45 in the book. Especially practice the 2nd and 3rd measure on the E string (top space), till you can do it at a reasonable speed pizzacato. The 2 finger is low on the E string. If the eighth notes are slow, the quarter notes have to be twice as slow. LISTEN TO THE SONG ON THE CD AND THAT MIGHT HELP YOU IDENTIFY THE LONG AND SHORT NOTES.
Of course we had to play Bile em Cabbage Down. That is getting to be fun! If anyone learns the break by the end of the year, we will accompany (back you up). It can be duet or trio playing break.
5th grade Second week in December
Just one more week till Christmas Break and I hope everyone will continue practicing all of December 1/2 hour each day. I am recommending PIZZACATO the songs first and then bowing short bows, gradually increasing to longer bows as you are able. Remember everyone moves at their own speed when learning and you will all be excellent players if you try! You are all precious people and can all be beautiful musicians with persistence.
We started on Song 31 (page 11), down the D scale, and that is where we will start the concert too, on Jan. 31. We did pizzicato first on songs 31, 32, 33, 34, then be bowed them. During the concert we will have individuals or stand partners come up to play their solo tunes with an 8 measure variation ending on a D note (because we are in the Key of D scale). This will happen between the songs and I will figure out an order to this.
Then we played Jingle Bells at the tip of our bows, starting in the middle.
We play it once together then those on my right will sing while others play, and we will end with the left side singing while right side plays. All raise hands and bows at the end.
We learned by memory ALL of Mozart's Melody song 43. The violins will stand while we play this song.
Then we learned Matthew's March and Christopher's Tune, songs 44, 45, pizz first and then bow when you are practicing.
Happy Practicing! Remember to check your tuning with the CD or play D and A and see if it sounds like Twinkle Twinkle.
We started on Song 31 (page 11), down the D scale, and that is where we will start the concert too, on Jan. 31. We did pizzicato first on songs 31, 32, 33, 34, then be bowed them. During the concert we will have individuals or stand partners come up to play their solo tunes with an 8 measure variation ending on a D note (because we are in the Key of D scale). This will happen between the songs and I will figure out an order to this.
Then we played Jingle Bells at the tip of our bows, starting in the middle.
We play it once together then those on my right will sing while others play, and we will end with the left side singing while right side plays. All raise hands and bows at the end.
We learned by memory ALL of Mozart's Melody song 43. The violins will stand while we play this song.
Then we learned Matthew's March and Christopher's Tune, songs 44, 45, pizz first and then bow when you are practicing.
Happy Practicing! Remember to check your tuning with the CD or play D and A and see if it sounds like Twinkle Twinkle.
Friday, December 4, 2009
5th grade First week in December
We are continually checking our tuning and bow holding skills. If you are having difficulty with your tone, make sure you pizzacato the tunes first and then bow them. This usually helps because what is hard is reading the notes and bowing at the same time. It also helps to hold the bow farther up the from the frog and do shorter bows. Then as you improve you can move your bow hold back closer to the frog and lengthen your bows for quarter notes.
I can tell already our concert will be fun! The CONCERT WILL BE January 31, a Sunday evening from 5:30-7:30pm. It will be at Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. William, a church near city hall in Post Falls. I will hand out invitations in January when we come back from Christmas vacation. It will actually start at 6pm but the kids need to get there early to tune and warm-up before playing. The students are working on special duets or solos, that are variations on tunes in the book. The students should dress-up for this concert. Ties for the boys and no jeans.
We will also be playing songs 31, 32, 33, 34, 41, 43 (memorized), 44, 45, 46, 70, 71, 76, 81, and 86. Only 31-43 are homework right now.
I can tell already our concert will be fun! The CONCERT WILL BE January 31, a Sunday evening from 5:30-7:30pm. It will be at Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. William, a church near city hall in Post Falls. I will hand out invitations in January when we come back from Christmas vacation. It will actually start at 6pm but the kids need to get there early to tune and warm-up before playing. The students are working on special duets or solos, that are variations on tunes in the book. The students should dress-up for this concert. Ties for the boys and no jeans.
We will also be playing songs 31, 32, 33, 34, 41, 43 (memorized), 44, 45, 46, 70, 71, 76, 81, and 86. Only 31-43 are homework right now.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Adult Class first week of December
We are making steady progress! We discovered counting or tapping your foot while you play as a learning tool is essential when we are doing harmonies. Try not to have your foot tap adjust to a variable tempo. Hold the dotted quarter notes 1 1/2 beats that are followed by a much shorter eighth note. Hold the half notes exactly 2 beats, and the dotted half note 3 beats. Keep the beat of the music regular, for example 3 beats per measure in the First Nowell, with a very slight emphasis on the first beat and sometimes the 3 beat. We are really playing Bile Em Cabbage in a two beats, dividing the measures in half, because it is just fast enough that your foot doesn't want to tap that fast. It is definitely fun to tap your foot in fiddle or blue grass music, and it adds to the spirit!
We realized Simple Gifts was just difficult enough that we would only learn that a line at a time. The first line is homework this week. Practice it Pizzacato until you play the rhythm well, with numbers if you want. It is on A and E strings for violins, so practice the open E, 1 finger on E (F#), and low 2 on E (G), and 3 finger on (A). We did this in class several times for violins. We will go over this with 2 octave G scale next week. If you get good at that try bowing it without slurrs, then with slurrs. Don't worry, we will go slowly on this song, it is not a fast song.
We reviewed the Joy to the World music I had passed out earlier, and we will work on that because it is easier than simple gifts, but still has great rhythms to learn and you know the melody. Learn that at home Pizzacato first and with finger markings if you need them. You can use your scale sheet using D major scale for finger marking of notes if you need to refer to something, or D scale marking on page 11 in book, or chart on page 47 in book. After you know it well slow in Pizzacato, you can try bowing it slowly. Slow is better than fast at first, so that you do the rhythms correctly and don't slow down or speed up. We will hope to play the whole melody next week.
We practiced doing C scale one octave with slurrs, rule is low 2 finger on D and A strings. We did G scale (low 2 finger on A string only) with half notes and quarter note sequence. We did D scale with quarter and eighth note alternation up and down scale and in two part round. Great job!
Continue practicing scales and you may use this rhythm pattern or one of your own like dotted quarter and eighth, or simple half notes. Gradually memorize the rules of the scales so that you can play any music in that scale. Work on your tone (using good bow hold with right amount of tension and speed on string using whole bow), when you are doing simple half note scales.
We realized Simple Gifts was just difficult enough that we would only learn that a line at a time. The first line is homework this week. Practice it Pizzacato until you play the rhythm well, with numbers if you want. It is on A and E strings for violins, so practice the open E, 1 finger on E (F#), and low 2 on E (G), and 3 finger on (A). We did this in class several times for violins. We will go over this with 2 octave G scale next week. If you get good at that try bowing it without slurrs, then with slurrs. Don't worry, we will go slowly on this song, it is not a fast song.
We reviewed the Joy to the World music I had passed out earlier, and we will work on that because it is easier than simple gifts, but still has great rhythms to learn and you know the melody. Learn that at home Pizzacato first and with finger markings if you need them. You can use your scale sheet using D major scale for finger marking of notes if you need to refer to something, or D scale marking on page 11 in book, or chart on page 47 in book. After you know it well slow in Pizzacato, you can try bowing it slowly. Slow is better than fast at first, so that you do the rhythms correctly and don't slow down or speed up. We will hope to play the whole melody next week.
We practiced doing C scale one octave with slurrs, rule is low 2 finger on D and A strings. We did G scale (low 2 finger on A string only) with half notes and quarter note sequence. We did D scale with quarter and eighth note alternation up and down scale and in two part round. Great job!
Continue practicing scales and you may use this rhythm pattern or one of your own like dotted quarter and eighth, or simple half notes. Gradually memorize the rules of the scales so that you can play any music in that scale. Work on your tone (using good bow hold with right amount of tension and speed on string using whole bow), when you are doing simple half note scales.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
6th Beginner Lesson
We started on page 10, even though the homework is bowing pages 7-12. All students did well at playing the high D note of song 23 on page 10. As they played I went around checking sound, bow hold, and making sure everyone was doing nice long bows that were parallel to the bridge. Everyone is doing so well! I know we aren't perfect yet, but hey, that's the fun of it. We are going to sound great, as we continue to practice. I love the sound of all the strings vibrating together, with all the same length of bow strokes for the quarter notes.
We continued by bowing the rest of page 10 and 11, the notes on the A string with a few open D's included. I called up individuals to demonstrate and teach the rest of the class, so that we could all learn to improve by watching each other. What a fun group of students that are willing to share their developing skills with the class.
After that we did finger markings on songs for Christine and Natalie, pg. 12 songs 33 and 34. We had time to play at least 33 with the bow. Both songs are for homework as well as bowing all the songs pages 7-12.
You are also supposed to write about 8 measures that is a variation on one of the songs from pages 7-12. You may write more measures. It sounds best if you end the song on the note D, since we are in the musical scale of D. You need to have 4 quarter note beats per measure, and can include rests. Have fun with this! We can start playing these in class.
Finally we learned Jingle Bells on page 14 using only the upper half of the bow, starting in the middle of the bow. You can gradually increase the speed of this song as you learn it. See you after Thanksgiving. If you need any help feel free to call me. Have a fun holiday, play some music for your family!
We continued by bowing the rest of page 10 and 11, the notes on the A string with a few open D's included. I called up individuals to demonstrate and teach the rest of the class, so that we could all learn to improve by watching each other. What a fun group of students that are willing to share their developing skills with the class.
After that we did finger markings on songs for Christine and Natalie, pg. 12 songs 33 and 34. We had time to play at least 33 with the bow. Both songs are for homework as well as bowing all the songs pages 7-12.
You are also supposed to write about 8 measures that is a variation on one of the songs from pages 7-12. You may write more measures. It sounds best if you end the song on the note D, since we are in the musical scale of D. You need to have 4 quarter note beats per measure, and can include rests. Have fun with this! We can start playing these in class.
Finally we learned Jingle Bells on page 14 using only the upper half of the bow, starting in the middle of the bow. You can gradually increase the speed of this song as you learn it. See you after Thanksgiving. If you need any help feel free to call me. Have a fun holiday, play some music for your family!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Adult Class Works on Fiddle Tune, Simple Gifts, and Nowell
After tuning we played the D scale using half note followed by two quarter notes, G scale using quarter and eighths, and C scale using half notes. We will vary those rhythm patterns each week on the one octave scales.
We successfully passed "For Pete's Sake" song 76. Our Ode to Joy is sounding better and better.
I passed out new copies of Bile Em Cabbage Down, which we can do for Post Falls Days. We learned to do what they call double stops: starting with playing F# and open A string together while you play the melody of the song like we played last week-- always playing open A together with melody. We reviewed slurring of break part of song and you can learn break on your own. We will not have class next week due to holiday, so that you will have lots of time to practice. Combining of tune and back-up was fun!
We did some sharing with some of the string orchestra. Then we all played the melody line of First Nowell. Combining harmony was good. We will improve, and actually for the first times through it is sounding quite good. It really helped to go over it several times. Keep practicing your part.
We started to learn the song on page 45 Simple Gifts, which we can play also at Post Falls Days. Pizzacato is good at first. It has a simple rhythm of quarter and eighth notes with slurrs. We will all try to learn melody these few weeks. You can write all fingering numbers in parts until you learn it because it does jump around more than our other songs have. We'll see how everyone does at practicing for 2 weeks. There is a chart for numbering fingering on page 47, OR YOU CAN USE YOUR SCALE SHEETS FOR D SCALE. I helped those who stayed with numbering the first line and you can continue numbering the rest of line A (melody line) in music.
I can't wait to hear you in two weeks. Especially on Simple Gifts!
We successfully passed "For Pete's Sake" song 76. Our Ode to Joy is sounding better and better.
I passed out new copies of Bile Em Cabbage Down, which we can do for Post Falls Days. We learned to do what they call double stops: starting with playing F# and open A string together while you play the melody of the song like we played last week-- always playing open A together with melody. We reviewed slurring of break part of song and you can learn break on your own. We will not have class next week due to holiday, so that you will have lots of time to practice. Combining of tune and back-up was fun!
We did some sharing with some of the string orchestra. Then we all played the melody line of First Nowell. Combining harmony was good. We will improve, and actually for the first times through it is sounding quite good. It really helped to go over it several times. Keep practicing your part.
We started to learn the song on page 45 Simple Gifts, which we can play also at Post Falls Days. Pizzacato is good at first. It has a simple rhythm of quarter and eighth notes with slurrs. We will all try to learn melody these few weeks. You can write all fingering numbers in parts until you learn it because it does jump around more than our other songs have. We'll see how everyone does at practicing for 2 weeks. There is a chart for numbering fingering on page 47, OR YOU CAN USE YOUR SCALE SHEETS FOR D SCALE. I helped those who stayed with numbering the first line and you can continue numbering the rest of line A (melody line) in music.
I can't wait to hear you in two weeks. Especially on Simple Gifts!
5th Lesson for Beginners
We all checked our tuning and my assistant (Laura), in the class helped me check everyones bow hold. No broken strings today! Be careful when tuning. Always make sure it is low first and gradually turn peg if you are very far off. Of course if it is just a little off, use the fine tuner. A good Christmas gift for all of you would be a tuner. It is worth many, many private lessons, because it basically teaches you when your violin sound is sharp (too high) or flat (too low). You are then not so dependent on a teacher and you can practice anytime with an in tune instrument. It is very important to practice with an in tune instrument.
I had two volunteers who helped with demonstrations at first so that others could use them as models. They were students who said they had practiced 2hrs/week as I have requested. Gabby was my first student and she played 13 On the Trail, then we all played it with repeat. I did some corrections so all could see, encouraging use of whole bow. Then we all played songs 15 and 16. My next volunteer was Jesse and he played 16, Essential Elements Quiz on the cello.
I used several other volunteers throughout the class, so that only a few had to stay after. We finished playing all of page 8,9,10, and 11 all with bows. Everyone needs to work on longer bows, extending pressure evenly out on string. You need to use your index finger and wrist on bow to get the full sound of the string.
Homework is to bow all the songs on the pages we practiced today, pages 7-11. That should keep you busy for 2hrs/week. Also think of a song you would like to vary for the concert in Jan. using mostly D string notes, or pick a song farther in the book using both D and A string notes. I demonstrated lots of different ways to vary a song, just using quarter notes and rests. You should mimic the original song somewhat, so that it sounds well together as one song. Next week we'll go a little farther in the book and I will give you staff paper to write variations on.
I had two volunteers who helped with demonstrations at first so that others could use them as models. They were students who said they had practiced 2hrs/week as I have requested. Gabby was my first student and she played 13 On the Trail, then we all played it with repeat. I did some corrections so all could see, encouraging use of whole bow. Then we all played songs 15 and 16. My next volunteer was Jesse and he played 16, Essential Elements Quiz on the cello.
I used several other volunteers throughout the class, so that only a few had to stay after. We finished playing all of page 8,9,10, and 11 all with bows. Everyone needs to work on longer bows, extending pressure evenly out on string. You need to use your index finger and wrist on bow to get the full sound of the string.
Homework is to bow all the songs on the pages we practiced today, pages 7-11. That should keep you busy for 2hrs/week. Also think of a song you would like to vary for the concert in Jan. using mostly D string notes, or pick a song farther in the book using both D and A string notes. I demonstrated lots of different ways to vary a song, just using quarter notes and rests. You should mimic the original song somewhat, so that it sounds well together as one song. Next week we'll go a little farther in the book and I will give you staff paper to write variations on.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Adult Class has review Lesson and Learns One Octave C, G, D Scales to Practice
We learned about the C Scale which starts by playing 3rd finger on G string (4 for cello on G string to play upper octave), and proceeds playing a close 2 fingering on the D and A strings (same rule applies for cello but fingers aren't as close. I re-explained how all scales are Wholestep,Wholestep,1/2step,Wholestep,Wholestep,Wholestep,1/2step as we go up scale of notes. This explains where the fingers are placed close, depending on where you start. No one knows why this is true, our ears just like to apply this spacing of notes, depending on what note we start on, and then the song needs to return to this sound again to seem as if it is ending right. Practice just one octave of this scale, the first two measures for the violins. The cellos start on G4 and viola G3 to learn upper octave of this scale using low 2 fingering on D and A strings.
After the C Scale we did the G Scale which has just one place where we have to raise the tone a 1/2 step from F to F#. Start on the open G string for everyone on this scale. D major scale with F# and C# you already know and can continue doing half notes, quarter note with two eighths, slurred notes two to a bow, and sixteenth notes at tip or at frog.
We passed several songs 70, and 71, but need to continue practicing reading 76-For Pete's Sake. Continue with memorizing Ode to Joy both slowly and more quickly, but play to get the best of your tone all on one string using 4th finger. When you memorize a piece of music you can work on applying the right amount of pull on the string to get the most sound and pleasing tone. Pretend that your bow has to capture that string with your index finger and then is stuck to the string like pulling taffy and pulls the tone along. You may think of other examples but always listen to your tone. Playing an open D before you start the song, down bow and up bow, might help the flow of your wrist. And check your bow hold to make sure your thumb is flexed outward like you are holding a ball--this creates the most flexibility on the bow.
You all passed Lightly Row with harmony! Wonderful! Continue with Bile Em Cabbage Down-song 89. We may play this as a warm up at Post Falls Days with the harmony we learned. I will probably bring in some different harmonies for this song also.
Continue learning the G string notes on page 26 or
refer to your scale sheet. Pizz or bow songs 101 and 102 and we will go over them briefly on the next lesson. Remember if you need to write in fingerings, try to write in only 1's and 2's for violins and violas, leaving out opens and 3's. For cellos leave out open fingering and 4th fingering, writing in only 1's and 3's.
Continue practicing The First Nowell all the way through, the melody line on the top line. I would like Brad, Andrea, Peggy, Jeff and Dona to also learn the harmony line, as I mentioned in class. Don't forget the C# on the G string for the violins and viola only, that is a stretch right next to the 4th finger. You will be responsible for that part. Then we will have harmony on the outside parts of the orchestra and melody on the inside part. A few of you took Joy to the World as an extra challenge. You can play it for the class next time!
Next week we will try and really perfect The First Nowell with harmony parts. We will also start learning the last song in the book Simple Gifts. We could perform that at Post Falls Days. It is very beautiful. We will all learn both parts A and B.
After the C Scale we did the G Scale which has just one place where we have to raise the tone a 1/2 step from F to F#. Start on the open G string for everyone on this scale. D major scale with F# and C# you already know and can continue doing half notes, quarter note with two eighths, slurred notes two to a bow, and sixteenth notes at tip or at frog.
We passed several songs 70, and 71, but need to continue practicing reading 76-For Pete's Sake. Continue with memorizing Ode to Joy both slowly and more quickly, but play to get the best of your tone all on one string using 4th finger. When you memorize a piece of music you can work on applying the right amount of pull on the string to get the most sound and pleasing tone. Pretend that your bow has to capture that string with your index finger and then is stuck to the string like pulling taffy and pulls the tone along. You may think of other examples but always listen to your tone. Playing an open D before you start the song, down bow and up bow, might help the flow of your wrist. And check your bow hold to make sure your thumb is flexed outward like you are holding a ball--this creates the most flexibility on the bow.
You all passed Lightly Row with harmony! Wonderful! Continue with Bile Em Cabbage Down-song 89. We may play this as a warm up at Post Falls Days with the harmony we learned. I will probably bring in some different harmonies for this song also.
Continue learning the G string notes on page 26 or
refer to your scale sheet. Pizz or bow songs 101 and 102 and we will go over them briefly on the next lesson. Remember if you need to write in fingerings, try to write in only 1's and 2's for violins and violas, leaving out opens and 3's. For cellos leave out open fingering and 4th fingering, writing in only 1's and 3's.
Continue practicing The First Nowell all the way through, the melody line on the top line. I would like Brad, Andrea, Peggy, Jeff and Dona to also learn the harmony line, as I mentioned in class. Don't forget the C# on the G string for the violins and viola only, that is a stretch right next to the 4th finger. You will be responsible for that part. Then we will have harmony on the outside parts of the orchestra and melody on the inside part. A few of you took Joy to the World as an extra challenge. You can play it for the class next time!
Next week we will try and really perfect The First Nowell with harmony parts. We will also start learning the last song in the book Simple Gifts. We could perform that at Post Falls Days. It is very beautiful. We will all learn both parts A and B.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Middle School Orchestra Practice List
The Middle School Orchestra Needs to Practice More, Here is the List:
Memorize America the Beautiful. We will be playing it before some basketball games in the gym. Probably twice through, with Brian playing harmony the second time.
Amazing Grace with vibrato. Remember to practice the technique with your shakers I gave you. Don't lose them, put them back in your case.
Bach Minuet.
Rosin Eating Zombies from Outer Space. We will try to tackle the whole song next week.
I've Got Rhythm. We need to play this with more of an emphasis on the one two nature of this song, and a little faster. It is in cut time with emphasis on 1 and 3 if we play it in fast 4.
We are still playing C and G and D scales, so you should memorize these from your 2 octave scale sheet.
Memorize America the Beautiful. We will be playing it before some basketball games in the gym. Probably twice through, with Brian playing harmony the second time.
Amazing Grace with vibrato. Remember to practice the technique with your shakers I gave you. Don't lose them, put them back in your case.
Bach Minuet.
Rosin Eating Zombies from Outer Space. We will try to tackle the whole song next week.
I've Got Rhythm. We need to play this with more of an emphasis on the one two nature of this song, and a little faster. It is in cut time with emphasis on 1 and 3 if we play it in fast 4.
We are still playing C and G and D scales, so you should memorize these from your 2 octave scale sheet.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Beginning Class 4th Lesson
We reviewed tuning with tuners, and singing the song Good, Days, Are, Everywhere for violins, to help us with proper tuning pitches. Violas and Cello sing Come, Go, Dance, Away. I rechecked everyones bow holds also, because we started by bowing page 5, which had been homework. Then for the first time we put 3 fingers down on the D string while we were bowing, using about 1/3 of bow. I went around and checked everyone to make sure they were holding their fingers down firm enought to get good bowed tone. Be sure and play on the tips of the fingers (not pressing them flat), keeping the elbow out in front of the violin, and the thumb of fingering hand should not be sticking up. This will need to be worked on for a while.
My Thursday class will not be meeting for 2 weeks, due to conferences. But you can come and get tuned if you come a bit before 5PM to Seltice on Tuesday. This missing class will be made up Monday, Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving week).
Homework is plucking (pizzacato) pages 7-9, and 10 & 11. You need to bow pages 6, 7, 10. If you are in Thursday class you can bow all the pages you did pizzacato, since you will have more time. Tuesday's class can do this too if they want to move ahead.
If you are putting fingering numbers by the notes, try to erase the open string notes and the 3's (4's for cello), leaving only the markings 1's and 2's for violins (1's and 3's for cello). If you don't need any markings that is GREAT!
My Thursday class will not be meeting for 2 weeks, due to conferences. But you can come and get tuned if you come a bit before 5PM to Seltice on Tuesday. This missing class will be made up Monday, Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving week).
Homework is plucking (pizzacato) pages 7-9, and 10 & 11. You need to bow pages 6, 7, 10. If you are in Thursday class you can bow all the pages you did pizzacato, since you will have more time. Tuesday's class can do this too if they want to move ahead.
If you are putting fingering numbers by the notes, try to erase the open string notes and the 3's (4's for cello), leaving only the markings 1's and 2's for violins (1's and 3's for cello). If you don't need any markings that is GREAT!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Adult Class Learns to Sight Read Rhythms and G string notes
I talked a little about tuning and why tuners are useful. Our ears differ slightly from day to day, so when playing in groups, having a perfect A that vibrates at 440 cycles per minute is a good standard, and means everyone in the orchestra is in tune with each other. You can use a piano for this if you are playing with piano this is essential. Other things that work are the CD's tuning pitches, tuning fork, pitch pipe, or a tuner. Singing the song Good, Days, Are, Everywhere may help for the violins. And for the violas and cellos, Come, Go, Dance, Away. Everyone seems to find their best method, and the tuners gradually teach the ear when your string is flat or sharp. The concert master stood and played our perfect A. We made sure ours matched, then rechecked our other strings. I showed the orchestra how to check double strings for for pitch and yes you can check 4th finger notes against next open string that is higher pitch. The string rings in a clearer tone when it is in tune.
We then started by playing the D scale in half notes (2 beats), half notes alternating sections of the orchestra to sound chords, quarter notes with two shorter eighth notes at tip or frog, we slurred the notes two notes to a bow up the scale, and finally sixteenth notes at frog and then at tip just up the scale.
We reviewed Dreidel with short bows in middle of bow, and Mozart's Melody memorized with long followed by two short bows at tip or frog. Everyone passed the test so we are moving on from this song.
Next we learned to clap rhythms on songs 70, 71, 76 which we then bowed. This was teaching sight reading quarter and eighth note beats. Sometimes it also helps to pizzacato the song first and then bow it. We will review this next week, and it is homework. If you need numbers written in, try to leave out open strings which you should know, and 3's for violin and viola, and 4 for cello. That means you can write in 1's and 2's. If you want you can pick a different combination, but basically you shouldn't be writing D1, just 1 (you can tell it is on the D string by where it is located on the staff, and the same with the A string, don't write A1). I will continue to quiz you on notes, so gradually you will learn the names, but number systems really help at first!
We bowed song 86, Ode to Joy and that continues as homework. You will find that you are gradually memorizing this song.
We learned the top line A of song 89, which is easy to memorize. It only has F#, G, E. and D notes in it with long and short bow strokes. Practice it slowly first, and you will find you can play this by ear. Gradually we will speed this up and add a simple harmony.
We also learned song 91 part A and B the first line, a song we had learned before in the beginning of the book, Lightly Row. We alternated the parts of the orchestra playing either part A or B. It sounded great! Learn part A and B of second line too for homework. I am thinking I gave you a lot to learn, so we will probably review all this next week. Don't be too hard on yourself, but try and practice every day. Mostly it just takes time, so be patient with yourself. You can pizzacato all songs first before you bow them. That often helps. Going slowly with rhythms also helps.
We learned the notes on the G string on page 26, bowing quarter and half notes.
For homework you can pizzacato songs 101 and 102, Baa,Baa Black Sheep and This Old Man, songs you know. If you really get ambitious you can bow them, but mostly these pages are designed for learning the fingerings for G string notes. Again try to learn where the open string is, write in 1 and 2 fingerings for violin and viola and leave off the 3's unless you need it. Cello leaves out open string, writing in 1 and 3, and leaves off 4's. You can always tell you are on the G string because you are below open D.
Lastly we worked on The First Nowell and got to the third line of the melody where the repeat sign is marked. Remember to retake your bow, down bow in the third measure first half note, so the half note has enough bow (otherwise you'd have to do two up bows). We also learned to play the harmony a little using a G4 fingering instead of open D, and playing the C# (new note on G string, that is played with the third finger stretched right next to the 4th finger). Everyone should try this, but we may assign the harmony only as people feel more and more comfortable with the melody. It sounded great when we put it all together though!
Wow, we are sure accomplishing a lot! I enjoy writing this blog. I hope some more people are following this than are listed on my home page. Print it out!
We then started by playing the D scale in half notes (2 beats), half notes alternating sections of the orchestra to sound chords, quarter notes with two shorter eighth notes at tip or frog, we slurred the notes two notes to a bow up the scale, and finally sixteenth notes at frog and then at tip just up the scale.
We reviewed Dreidel with short bows in middle of bow, and Mozart's Melody memorized with long followed by two short bows at tip or frog. Everyone passed the test so we are moving on from this song.
Next we learned to clap rhythms on songs 70, 71, 76 which we then bowed. This was teaching sight reading quarter and eighth note beats. Sometimes it also helps to pizzacato the song first and then bow it. We will review this next week, and it is homework. If you need numbers written in, try to leave out open strings which you should know, and 3's for violin and viola, and 4 for cello. That means you can write in 1's and 2's. If you want you can pick a different combination, but basically you shouldn't be writing D1, just 1 (you can tell it is on the D string by where it is located on the staff, and the same with the A string, don't write A1). I will continue to quiz you on notes, so gradually you will learn the names, but number systems really help at first!
We bowed song 86, Ode to Joy and that continues as homework. You will find that you are gradually memorizing this song.
We learned the top line A of song 89, which is easy to memorize. It only has F#, G, E. and D notes in it with long and short bow strokes. Practice it slowly first, and you will find you can play this by ear. Gradually we will speed this up and add a simple harmony.
We also learned song 91 part A and B the first line, a song we had learned before in the beginning of the book, Lightly Row. We alternated the parts of the orchestra playing either part A or B. It sounded great! Learn part A and B of second line too for homework. I am thinking I gave you a lot to learn, so we will probably review all this next week. Don't be too hard on yourself, but try and practice every day. Mostly it just takes time, so be patient with yourself. You can pizzacato all songs first before you bow them. That often helps. Going slowly with rhythms also helps.
We learned the notes on the G string on page 26, bowing quarter and half notes.
For homework you can pizzacato songs 101 and 102, Baa,Baa Black Sheep and This Old Man, songs you know. If you really get ambitious you can bow them, but mostly these pages are designed for learning the fingerings for G string notes. Again try to learn where the open string is, write in 1 and 2 fingerings for violin and viola and leave off the 3's unless you need it. Cello leaves out open string, writing in 1 and 3, and leaves off 4's. You can always tell you are on the G string because you are below open D.
Lastly we worked on The First Nowell and got to the third line of the melody where the repeat sign is marked. Remember to retake your bow, down bow in the third measure first half note, so the half note has enough bow (otherwise you'd have to do two up bows). We also learned to play the harmony a little using a G4 fingering instead of open D, and playing the C# (new note on G string, that is played with the third finger stretched right next to the 4th finger). Everyone should try this, but we may assign the harmony only as people feel more and more comfortable with the melody. It sounded great when we put it all together though!
Wow, we are sure accomplishing a lot! I enjoy writing this blog. I hope some more people are following this than are listed on my home page. Print it out!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Beginning Class 3rd lesson
We needed a review lesson. So I rechecked how each student tuned with the tuners. Some students need to remember to use the restroom before we start, and promptly come in to start tuning with tuners that are at their music stands (shared with stand partner). We had a few pokey ones. They will get better I am sure. I always help those who are unsure. It would be helpful to have a parent volunteer for tuning and you could learn to play as a side benefit of helping. I have a few extra instruments. I will be hiring a high school or college level student I hope, in the future when the students are learning more complicated solos and duets.
I rechecked everyone's bow holds and we bowed (using about 1/3 of bow) page 4. Homework is to bow page 5, trying to use longer and longer bows without going crooked (stay parallel to bridge), and applying the right amount of speed and tension with wrist and index finger from frog to tip. Remember to start down bow first and then go up bow, alternating in the song.
At the end of the lesson I listened to as many students as possible to give them individual pointers on their bowing. I will start next class with students who did not stay after, bowing for the class. Don't be shy, make your mistakes big, and we can all learn together. Remember you have just begun a wonderful journey of learning to read musical notes. You will get better sounding tones (bowing and plucking), the more you practice. Two hours per week is a good goal. You will learn that practice improves performance. It applies to everything you do in life.
We reviewed PIZZACATO (plucking) D string notes, page 6 thru 8. This should be practiced as well as page 9. We will start bowing these pages next week. If that is good we will learn to pizz. the notes on the A string. If you are writing finger numbers above the notes, I would like you to start erasing the open D note and the 3 above the G note (4 for cell0).
I rechecked everyone's bow holds and we bowed (using about 1/3 of bow) page 4. Homework is to bow page 5, trying to use longer and longer bows without going crooked (stay parallel to bridge), and applying the right amount of speed and tension with wrist and index finger from frog to tip. Remember to start down bow first and then go up bow, alternating in the song.
At the end of the lesson I listened to as many students as possible to give them individual pointers on their bowing. I will start next class with students who did not stay after, bowing for the class. Don't be shy, make your mistakes big, and we can all learn together. Remember you have just begun a wonderful journey of learning to read musical notes. You will get better sounding tones (bowing and plucking), the more you practice. Two hours per week is a good goal. You will learn that practice improves performance. It applies to everything you do in life.
We reviewed PIZZACATO (plucking) D string notes, page 6 thru 8. This should be practiced as well as page 9. We will start bowing these pages next week. If that is good we will learn to pizz. the notes on the A string. If you are writing finger numbers above the notes, I would like you to start erasing the open D note and the 3 above the G note (4 for cell0).
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Middle School Orchestra works on New Music and Polite Behavior
We are still learning how to be more polite to each other in the classroom and especially as we start the class. I am sure it would help if everyone could arrive earlier by at least 3:45 to get tuned up and greet each other quietly and politely. Maybe even a few parents could help out at the beginning to calm things down. So if you have the time, come in for a few minutes, they are a fun and intelligent group of kids. I listened to a few solos this week, but a few more kids need to come in even earlier once in a while, so that I can help you with your vibrato and solo. Come in as early as 2:30PM. That is when I am setting up chairs and music stands.
I have some code names invented for the kids. They will be characters in a book I am working on entitled "The Composer is Dead" a primer for the Youth Orchestra Book I. The characters are students and groups of students in the orchestra who occasionally make errors both in music and politeness that basically kills the music and the composer and the conductor. We will be narrating a version of the book at our January concert, complete with MUSIC POLICEMEN who will help with investigating the crimes committed.
So far the character Charles has been at least twice stopped by the conductor for playing when the conductor is at the stand speaking or thinking about speaking to the orchestra. He needs to learn to stop that! The character William has a habit of coming in late and not getting his music in the order listed on the board. I also want to hear his solo start to take shape, so he needs to put some extra time in with the conductor before class so he knows what to do.
One character Mary, was very good this lesson, because she had practiced her solo very carefully, slowly, a small part, and memorized that part. By the end of the year at the final finale solo concert I am sure she will be presenting something wonderful for the audience to hear. She will have also learned that regular, conscientious work pays off in the end.
You will hear more of the adventures of middle school youth orchestra next week.
I have some code names invented for the kids. They will be characters in a book I am working on entitled "The Composer is Dead" a primer for the Youth Orchestra Book I. The characters are students and groups of students in the orchestra who occasionally make errors both in music and politeness that basically kills the music and the composer and the conductor. We will be narrating a version of the book at our January concert, complete with MUSIC POLICEMEN who will help with investigating the crimes committed.
So far the character Charles has been at least twice stopped by the conductor for playing when the conductor is at the stand speaking or thinking about speaking to the orchestra. He needs to learn to stop that! The character William has a habit of coming in late and not getting his music in the order listed on the board. I also want to hear his solo start to take shape, so he needs to put some extra time in with the conductor before class so he knows what to do.
One character Mary, was very good this lesson, because she had practiced her solo very carefully, slowly, a small part, and memorized that part. By the end of the year at the final finale solo concert I am sure she will be presenting something wonderful for the audience to hear. She will have also learned that regular, conscientious work pays off in the end.
You will hear more of the adventures of middle school youth orchestra next week.
Adult Class will Review this Week but you get to Start Christmas Early
We still need to work on more sustained bowing with the right amount of pull on the D and A string for proper speed and tension. So we will review the practice we did last week, but improve the bowing. You should barely be able to tell when you change from a down to and up bow, and vice versa. Use your whole bow for quarter and half notes and shorter wrist strokes for eighth notes. The index finger and wrist catch the string lightly on the down bow and by the time you are at the tip the index finger has to apply a slightly greater tension or you will lose the tone. You slow down slightly as you switch directions and use your wrist as a paint brush to reverse and go back to the frog.
After you have tuned, warm up on the same long bowed D scale and make sure you have that memorized. Now you can alternate one long down bow on the open D string followed by two short eighth notes on D at the tip of bow, then 1 finger (E note) up bow followed by two short eighth notes on E at the frog, and so on until you have reached the high D (3 fingers on A string for violin and viola, 4 fingers for cello). Repeat the high note at the top of the scale and go backwards, this time playing open strings instead of 4th finger. The cello may change to second position on fingerboard and play 4th finger instead of open A in scales only for now.
You get to start Christmas early with The First Nowell the first two top lines, the melody line (not harmony, which is second line). This song is in 3/4 time, so there are only 3 quarter notes per measure. Bow two short bows at the frog starting down bow to start, then long down bow on dotted quarter which is 3x longer than short eight note that follows it, then two more short eight notes staying at tip. Now it is easier if you LIFT YOUR BOW BACK TO the FROG LIGHTLY for the long slower half note. The rest of the bowing will be back and forth because when the melody resumes it starts on an up bow. You will really get the idea of alternating long and short bows from frog to tip on this melody. Go slowly at first so that you hear the difference between the long and shorter bows. If you need to have numbers on the notes at first go ahead.
The music builds from medium loud mezzo forte, to forte, and finally double forte at the end with a gradual slowing at the end (rallentando). That means use a little less bow on your quarter notes at the start and gradually increase the amount of bow used till you are playing quite loud. When you can play this piece well individually I will give you another Christmas Carol (which means dance, incidentally).
After you have tuned, warm up on the same long bowed D scale and make sure you have that memorized. Now you can alternate one long down bow on the open D string followed by two short eighth notes on D at the tip of bow, then 1 finger (E note) up bow followed by two short eighth notes on E at the frog, and so on until you have reached the high D (3 fingers on A string for violin and viola, 4 fingers for cello). Repeat the high note at the top of the scale and go backwards, this time playing open strings instead of 4th finger. The cello may change to second position on fingerboard and play 4th finger instead of open A in scales only for now.
You get to start Christmas early with The First Nowell the first two top lines, the melody line (not harmony, which is second line). This song is in 3/4 time, so there are only 3 quarter notes per measure. Bow two short bows at the frog starting down bow to start, then long down bow on dotted quarter which is 3x longer than short eight note that follows it, then two more short eight notes staying at tip. Now it is easier if you LIFT YOUR BOW BACK TO the FROG LIGHTLY for the long slower half note. The rest of the bowing will be back and forth because when the melody resumes it starts on an up bow. You will really get the idea of alternating long and short bows from frog to tip on this melody. Go slowly at first so that you hear the difference between the long and shorter bows. If you need to have numbers on the notes at first go ahead.
The music builds from medium loud mezzo forte, to forte, and finally double forte at the end with a gradual slowing at the end (rallentando). That means use a little less bow on your quarter notes at the start and gradually increase the amount of bow used till you are playing quite loud. When you can play this piece well individually I will give you another Christmas Carol (which means dance, incidentally).
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Second Week of Beginner Class
We worked pretty hard today. Those fingers were plucking with the thumbs on the finger board (pizzacato we call it in Italian, or pizz for short). One student thought it meant pizza!
We practiced tuning the strings with the tuners. I helped some and they did some. If they are in drastic need of help tuning sometimes music stores will tune the strings for you. On Mondays I have a high school orchestra rehearsal at Community Presbyterian Church. I am at Seltice after school on Tuesdays till 5pm, at the Post Falls Middle School on Wednesday afternoons, and Prairie View till 5pm on Thursdays.
We started on page 6 and did pizzacato on open D and A strings looking at notes on the staff and rest marks to make our plucking turn into music.
Then we worked on identifying the notes on the D string when we put our fingers on the tapes. For violin and viola it is three fingers down for G, two for F#, one for E, and no fingers for D. For cello it is four fingers down for G, three for F#, one for E, and no fingers for D. It was hard for some students so I had them write in the finger numbers next to the notes to reinforce that knowledge. I encouraged them that they would get faster at reading the notes with time and practice. We sounded pretty good as a group. A few kids forgot their books in class, so other students will deliver them to their classrooms so that they can do their homework!
Yes!
Homework is playing pizz. (plucking) page 6,7,8,9 all the songs 13-22. That should keep you busy practicing all week! They can practice this with the CD if they want. We had time to learn how to hold the bow. I observed everyone bowing and helped them use their index finger and wrist to move like a paintbrush straight and with even tension on the D string. They can practice this after they have tightened their bow slightly (righty tighty the adjusting screw) and rosined it a little. When they are done they need to loosen the bow (lefty loosy).
We practiced tuning the strings with the tuners. I helped some and they did some. If they are in drastic need of help tuning sometimes music stores will tune the strings for you. On Mondays I have a high school orchestra rehearsal at Community Presbyterian Church. I am at Seltice after school on Tuesdays till 5pm, at the Post Falls Middle School on Wednesday afternoons, and Prairie View till 5pm on Thursdays.
We started on page 6 and did pizzacato on open D and A strings looking at notes on the staff and rest marks to make our plucking turn into music.
Then we worked on identifying the notes on the D string when we put our fingers on the tapes. For violin and viola it is three fingers down for G, two for F#, one for E, and no fingers for D. For cello it is four fingers down for G, three for F#, one for E, and no fingers for D. It was hard for some students so I had them write in the finger numbers next to the notes to reinforce that knowledge. I encouraged them that they would get faster at reading the notes with time and practice. We sounded pretty good as a group. A few kids forgot their books in class, so other students will deliver them to their classrooms so that they can do their homework!
Yes!
Homework is playing pizz. (plucking) page 6,7,8,9 all the songs 13-22. That should keep you busy practicing all week! They can practice this with the CD if they want. We had time to learn how to hold the bow. I observed everyone bowing and helped them use their index finger and wrist to move like a paintbrush straight and with even tension on the D string. They can practice this after they have tightened their bow slightly (righty tighty the adjusting screw) and rosined it a little. When they are done they need to loosen the bow (lefty loosy).
Adult Orchestra Has Plenty of Homework and Sounds Wonderful Together
I am glad you asked for me to post for the adult class. I try to fit so much into this class the first few lessons, that it leaves very little room for details. You all have been sounding so good in rehearsal! I hope you are as pleased as I am about our progress together.
REMEMBER to check tuning first. Don't be to afraid to move pegs if you are a whole or 1/2 step off in pitch. Make sure it is flat if you are not sure and then you won't break a string if you move it up slowly. Also tighten bow only enough to grasp string well. You may rosin each time you practice lightly. Some music stores will help you with tuning or you can meet me at my other classes, my phone is 660-9185. Getting a tuner is helpful while you are learning.
I like you to warm up when you practice on a bowed 1 octave D scale with long bows up the scale starting of D and repeating the high D and going back down the scale. Then you can practice for review of notes songs 33 and 34 with full use of your bow and good tone.
Song 36 is Dreidel using shorter bows and keeping F# and E fingers down while you play open A (when marked with line below music) is just an exercise to keep your left elbow out front and fingers playing on the tips on strings rather than flat.
Play Songs 41 and 42, Jingle Bells (observing rests) and Old Macdonald, both songs with shorter bows using wrist and index finger to quickly catch strings. A lot like playing short-short bows (eighth notes).
Play Mozart Melody song 43 and try to memorize it with long bows. There are rests in it. After you have it memorized you can alternate long bows with two short bows at either the tip of the bow or the frog. So it goes D down long bow, short-short at tip, A up long bow, short-short at frog. B down long bow, short-short at tip, etc. alternating long and two short bows throughout song.
Last song to practice is 86 Ode to Joy. It has long bow quarter notes all on D string, using 4th finger on D (instead of open A string). Cello will play open A. Then in measures 4,8,9,12,16 the bow moves slower for half notes that are two beats long instead of one (quarter notes with holes in them). We are sort of playing this one by ear, but it will help you in the future when we play half notes and eighth notes (short-short bows). As you play it more and more you will find you have memorized it!
Have fun with it! I expect practicing might take you longer this week to get it sounding really good. Anne Nesse
REMEMBER to check tuning first. Don't be to afraid to move pegs if you are a whole or 1/2 step off in pitch. Make sure it is flat if you are not sure and then you won't break a string if you move it up slowly. Also tighten bow only enough to grasp string well. You may rosin each time you practice lightly. Some music stores will help you with tuning or you can meet me at my other classes, my phone is 660-9185. Getting a tuner is helpful while you are learning.
I like you to warm up when you practice on a bowed 1 octave D scale with long bows up the scale starting of D and repeating the high D and going back down the scale. Then you can practice for review of notes songs 33 and 34 with full use of your bow and good tone.
Song 36 is Dreidel using shorter bows and keeping F# and E fingers down while you play open A (when marked with line below music) is just an exercise to keep your left elbow out front and fingers playing on the tips on strings rather than flat.
Play Songs 41 and 42, Jingle Bells (observing rests) and Old Macdonald, both songs with shorter bows using wrist and index finger to quickly catch strings. A lot like playing short-short bows (eighth notes).
Play Mozart Melody song 43 and try to memorize it with long bows. There are rests in it. After you have it memorized you can alternate long bows with two short bows at either the tip of the bow or the frog. So it goes D down long bow, short-short at tip, A up long bow, short-short at frog. B down long bow, short-short at tip, etc. alternating long and two short bows throughout song.
Last song to practice is 86 Ode to Joy. It has long bow quarter notes all on D string, using 4th finger on D (instead of open A string). Cello will play open A. Then in measures 4,8,9,12,16 the bow moves slower for half notes that are two beats long instead of one (quarter notes with holes in them). We are sort of playing this one by ear, but it will help you in the future when we play half notes and eighth notes (short-short bows). As you play it more and more you will find you have memorized it!
Have fun with it! I expect practicing might take you longer this week to get it sounding really good. Anne Nesse
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Beginning in the Orchestra Excitement
I really love the first day of any important experience. It was even fun to see the parents taking pictures of us on their phones! Those kids were listening to me so intently when I first explained the care and anatomy of their instrument.
This instrument is an important responsibility to care for and practice with. I told them it was much like caring for a small child in that you would not leave the child unattended or unprotected. There is a card in their cases that gives instructions. There is a place in the inside cover of their books to check off their practicing responsibilities. They should always put their instruments in the case for safe keeping when they are not practicing.
I explained some people name their violins, violas or cellos as a way of personalizing the way they feel about music. The instrument's wood does vibrate when it plays, so that does in a way give you the feeling of having a friend with you as you play.
When I passed out their instruments, the audible excitement grew in the room. We gathered together in a huddle to learn how to tune and to sing the names of their strings in a song, and to play on the D string. The violins make the sounds Good Days Are Everywhere (strings from lowest to highest G,D,A,E). The violas and cellos make the sounds Come Go Dance Away (strings from lowest to highest C,G,D,A). It was a lot to learn in one lesson, but hey these kids are smart!
I sent everyone an email about the details of what the students will be practing. Also remember this blog fallsviolincello@blogspot.com very similar to my email address. You might want to add this blog to your favorites. It will be very useful for you if your student is absent, or if they or you just need confirmation on what your student is to practice.
This week they are practicing getting stronger left hand fingers to place on the strings to get a clear plucked note. And practicing proper posture and holding of instrument. The DVD has some examples that would be helpful, and the CD has tuning pitches. We went over tuning. This week the D string has to be roughly in tune for them to practice. Second largest string for violins. Second smallest for viola and cello. They should all practice as much as possible this week because all of them need stronger left hand fingers and good posture. They might tell you it was hard, but it will get easier and easier as they practice and hold those little fingers down tight enough to get a clear tone when plucked. The violin/violas will be on the left shoulder, with fingers wrapped around to place on strings with left hand. The fingerboard has tapes to let you know where the fingers go. Cellist also uses left hand for fingering. This is true no matter whether you are left or right handed. They play open D, then 1 finger down on D, then 2nd finger for violin/viola (3 for cello) keeping first finger down too for added strength, then 3rd finger for violin/viola (4 for cello), finally 4th finger down (open A string for cello). They go forwards and backwards with this routine for a long time, trying to keep a regular beat. If they want they can make up their own song starting on open D and varying notes, then ending on open D string.
Hope you all get and read this email. I won't be doing the blogging till this afternoon.
Anne Nesse
This instrument is an important responsibility to care for and practice with. I told them it was much like caring for a small child in that you would not leave the child unattended or unprotected. There is a card in their cases that gives instructions. There is a place in the inside cover of their books to check off their practicing responsibilities. They should always put their instruments in the case for safe keeping when they are not practicing.
I explained some people name their violins, violas or cellos as a way of personalizing the way they feel about music. The instrument's wood does vibrate when it plays, so that does in a way give you the feeling of having a friend with you as you play.
When I passed out their instruments, the audible excitement grew in the room. We gathered together in a huddle to learn how to tune and to sing the names of their strings in a song, and to play on the D string. The violins make the sounds Good Days Are Everywhere (strings from lowest to highest G,D,A,E). The violas and cellos make the sounds Come Go Dance Away (strings from lowest to highest C,G,D,A). It was a lot to learn in one lesson, but hey these kids are smart!
I sent everyone an email about the details of what the students will be practing. Also remember this blog fallsviolincello@blogspot.com very similar to my email address. You might want to add this blog to your favorites. It will be very useful for you if your student is absent, or if they or you just need confirmation on what your student is to practice.
This week they are practicing getting stronger left hand fingers to place on the strings to get a clear plucked note. And practicing proper posture and holding of instrument. The DVD has some examples that would be helpful, and the CD has tuning pitches. We went over tuning. This week the D string has to be roughly in tune for them to practice. Second largest string for violins. Second smallest for viola and cello. They should all practice as much as possible this week because all of them need stronger left hand fingers and good posture. They might tell you it was hard, but it will get easier and easier as they practice and hold those little fingers down tight enough to get a clear tone when plucked. The violin/violas will be on the left shoulder, with fingers wrapped around to place on strings with left hand. The fingerboard has tapes to let you know where the fingers go. Cellist also uses left hand for fingering. This is true no matter whether you are left or right handed. They play open D, then 1 finger down on D, then 2nd finger for violin/viola (3 for cello) keeping first finger down too for added strength, then 3rd finger for violin/viola (4 for cello), finally 4th finger down (open A string for cello). They go forwards and backwards with this routine for a long time, trying to keep a regular beat. If they want they can make up their own song starting on open D and varying notes, then ending on open D string.
Hope you all get and read this email. I won't be doing the blogging till this afternoon.
Anne Nesse
Friday, October 2, 2009
Middle School Orchestra
You are doing better at listening when other people are sharing during our break. This is a very important skill, and not an easy one. This will help you the rest of your lives. Good listening tells others that you respect them, and they in turn respect you back. All that mutual respect comes out in our music too! We can be a team that gets things accomplished because we care what we sound like.
A few of you have purchased our team T-shirts that have music written in 7 languages on them. They are $8 for short sleeve and $10 for long sleeve. We will try to wear them every Wednesday, to advertise our group and show our spirit. I will take more orders next week.
If we get our scales and the three songs we are working on now more complete at next rehearsal, we can start on a new piece called "Rosin Eating Zombies From Outer Space", it is scarry!
So PLEASE practice your scales C and G, memorize America the Beautiful, play all of Minuet and I've Got Rhythm. Beginners, if you have to put numbers above the notes, do so until you know where to put your fingers by heart.
A few of you have purchased our team T-shirts that have music written in 7 languages on them. They are $8 for short sleeve and $10 for long sleeve. We will try to wear them every Wednesday, to advertise our group and show our spirit. I will take more orders next week.
If we get our scales and the three songs we are working on now more complete at next rehearsal, we can start on a new piece called "Rosin Eating Zombies From Outer Space", it is scarry!
So PLEASE practice your scales C and G, memorize America the Beautiful, play all of Minuet and I've Got Rhythm. Beginners, if you have to put numbers above the notes, do so until you know where to put your fingers by heart.
High School Orchestra
You are playing really well. We just need to put in a little extra practice with harmonization of parts. The wooden cajone drum really is sounding good with all the music. Even Bach would approve!
Continue your scale and vibrato practice like we worked on this week. We added a modern piece "Continuen" for string quartet. The music was commissioned by friends to honor the career of a music teacher. We will be playing the first movement for now.
Friday, September 18, 2009
First Rehearsal for Middle School and High School Orchestras
It was rewarding for me to see all of you again after our summer break. Your willingness to play your instruments, when I know you all have busy lives, delights me!
I know we will sound really good when we have had more rehearsals and private practice time. So remember to practice at least 2hrs/week, and really only 15" a day would work. I gave you all September calendars to keep track of your practice time. So use these as a self discipline. The order of your practice is marked in the upper right corner-scales first.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Practice key of C, G, D, F two octaves for long bows and good tone, then short bows and faster
Tunes we are playing: School Days, Norwegian Dance, Serenade, Canzonetta, Ode to Joy
I will try to add some more tunes later if we get accomplished at these. I purchased a new drum, a cajone (pronounced "cahone") so even these classical pieces will have an upbeat modern sound.
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Practice key of C, G two octaves for long bows and good tone, then short bows and faster
Tunes we are playing: America the Beautiful, Minuet
I know we will sound really good when we have had more rehearsals and private practice time. So remember to practice at least 2hrs/week, and really only 15" a day would work. I gave you all September calendars to keep track of your practice time. So use these as a self discipline. The order of your practice is marked in the upper right corner-scales first.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Practice key of C, G, D, F two octaves for long bows and good tone, then short bows and faster
Tunes we are playing: School Days, Norwegian Dance, Serenade, Canzonetta, Ode to Joy
I will try to add some more tunes later if we get accomplished at these. I purchased a new drum, a cajone (pronounced "cahone") so even these classical pieces will have an upbeat modern sound.
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Practice key of C, G two octaves for long bows and good tone, then short bows and faster
Tunes we are playing: America the Beautiful, Minuet
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
News about the beginning of Orchestra
o I hope you all had a great summer and are eager to start playing your instruments again. I got to play at my son's wedding in California and am practicing for some other "gigs" now with a viola player.
The high school orchestra resumes on Mondays the second week of school, Sept. 14 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. William. We will start with scales, so try to be there a little ahead to tune up. You may come as early as 4:30pm for extra help with parts. We will probably try breaking up into duos and trios for more variety. I do have some small performances in November in mind. We will try some lively modern, festive, dance type music from different countries to brighten up our repetoire.
The middle school orchestra resumes on Wednesdays starting the second week of school also in the choir room of Post Falls Middle School room 46, (easily reached from the back of the school from Idaho St. turning on 18th) It begins as early as 3pm for set up and extra help with parts. The formal rehearsal will begin at 4:00pm and go till 5:30pm.
We will also be doing some lively music.
I will try to post on this blog regularly about concert info and what we are doing in class. If you are going to be absent let me know--you can text me at 660-9185. Then look at the blog to see what we practiced or continue practicing what you think you need work on. I will be making practice cards for you to check off when you practice. I hope a minimum of 2 hours per week.
Tuition can be paid in full at the beginning of the year, or at 6 month or monthly intervals that you work out.
Here's to a great year of fun and playing!
Your conductor, Anne Nesse
I will
The high school orchestra resumes on Mondays the second week of school, Sept. 14 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. William. We will start with scales, so try to be there a little ahead to tune up. You may come as early as 4:30pm for extra help with parts. We will probably try breaking up into duos and trios for more variety. I do have some small performances in November in mind. We will try some lively modern, festive, dance type music from different countries to brighten up our repetoire.
The middle school orchestra resumes on Wednesdays starting the second week of school also in the choir room of Post Falls Middle School room 46, (easily reached from the back of the school from Idaho St. turning on 18th) It begins as early as 3pm for set up and extra help with parts. The formal rehearsal will begin at 4:00pm and go till 5:30pm.
We will also be doing some lively music.
I will try to post on this blog regularly about concert info and what we are doing in class. If you are going to be absent let me know--you can text me at 660-9185. Then look at the blog to see what we practiced or continue practicing what you think you need work on. I will be making practice cards for you to check off when you practice. I hope a minimum of 2 hours per week.
Tuition can be paid in full at the beginning of the year, or at 6 month or monthly intervals that you work out.
Here's to a great year of fun and playing!
Your conductor, Anne Nesse
I will
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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