Middle School Orchestra Jan. 13-20

Practice the two octave C scale remembering it's rules of close first and second finger on D and A strings. Play 4th finger instead of open strings going up the scale, shift to one finger on next higher string. On E string play -1 (near the nut of violin), 2nd finger, then transfer first finger up to III position (where 3rd finger would be) and play notes A, B, and C, (B and C are close together). This is the basis of all scales, so it is very important.

We will continue with rhythm exercises next class.

We worked a lot on the first line of Juda Maccabaeus so everyone should be able to play that memorized if possible, for the next class.

We played Pacabel's Canon in D (which means D scale, so you can play 2nd finger wide using F# and C#). Play 4th finger instead of open strings for half notes at the beginning. Using vibrato would be nice on these slow notes. Then on faster eighth and sixteenth notes play open A and E strings. Beats are tied together so tap your foot to each beat. You have to fit 4 sixteenths into each beat or one eighth and 2 sixteenths. Practice to measure 27.

We didn't get to the fiddle tune Afton Water. We will save that for later and I will bring Irish Washerwoman next week instead. It is fast and fun!

Happy practicing. Anne Nesse