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).