Adult Class first class Jan. 13

We sounded so good last week. I know you forgot some things, but we will all get caught up soon. The two octave C scale we started out with will get easier as you see it demonstrated more. The 3rd position shift moves your thumb and first finger up to where your third finger would have been. You go from a -1 on E string to 2 a whole step up, then move first finger up to next step. You can hear when you are in the right place. We will go over this a lot, so don't worry if you didn't get it the first time.

Also don't worry too much about Danny Boy. You need to audition before you play that. It is mostly for my more advanced students who have joined us. When you do have it mastered you can play it with us. You need to observe the slurrs.

I would rather you work on Bouree to measure 16 with pizzacato. This song is often played by ear by young Suzuki students, so this is learned gradually also. After you learn it pizz, you can use shorter bows and try it that way. We have till May to learn this. It is like a test in reading and remembering rhythms. Playing it all together helps reinforce the sounds. You might have to put extra practice on the eighth note sections that are faster, but move in somewhat scalewise pattern. Look at several notes at once to see the patterns, rather than one note at a time.

Practice Dervish to rehearsal no. 21, counting and tapping foot two beats for each measure. We are learning counting. Practice Desert Sands to measure 11, and we will go on to measure 19 or 27 next week. This piece is in 4, so count and tap to four while playing.

I will use some of our time next week to ask for volunteers to bow certain sections you practiced, so that I can see how I can help individuals improve. My more advanced students will use the last half hour from 7:30-8pm to play the harder music, but you can observe. We will have a break with refreshments around 7pm. Amy volunteered to bring some snacks.

Happy Practicing....