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