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.