In the previous parts of this blog series, we looked at some books and methods created by string teachers, who have years of experience in helping violin, viola, cello, and bass students in overcoming difficult obstacles that would otherwise prevent…
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3 MINUTES A DAY TO RADICALLY CHANGE YOUR PRACTICE SESSIONS
Monday, August 07, 2017Author, mom, and Suzuki teacher Christine Goodner previously writes on her Suzuki Triangle blog, about how parents (not the physical space) are their children’s practice environment. Here she shares with us the the 3 minute process that can radically…
Think Like A Gamer: Power Up Your String Player Stats
Tuesday, April 25, 2017"He was engaged, identifying where he needed to improve, and giving up the small flashy upgrades so he could be a stronger player in the long run. The rewards were clear, and he was determined to reach the next level and win. How can we use this natural…
High Definition for the Practicing Parent
Tuesday, April 25, 2017Are you the parent of a young string player? This blog will really help YOU with your child's practice. Rachel Samson is a Suzuki viola/violin teacher in Frisco Texas. She and her husband Neil Fong Gilfillan (cello) run Chili Dog Strings, the only string…
Why You Should Start Your Child on a Franz Hoffmann
Monday, September 26, 2016Beginnings are critical, right? If you’ve ever grown a vegetable garden before, you know what I mean by this: starting right mean your garden will yield better results later on. You have to sow your seeds at the perfect time, with the right amount of…
How Not to Spend a Fortune on Your Child's Strings
Thursday, July 09, 2015Have you ever caught your child sneaking some salty food straight out of the bag or jar, snacking in an attempt to procrastinate before practicing? Maybe not, but I once had a student who loved pickles and would eat them right out of the jar before…
Notes from a Suzuki Mom: Alignment Enlightenment
Tuesday, June 26, 2012I'm in awe of Nerissa Nields's latest post for our music blog. It's perhaps a cliche these days among teachers and parents to say – however true it may be – something like "My students (or daughter) actually teaches me." Nerissa certainly borrows that…
The O'Connor Method: Joy, Creativity and Cool Cabbage!
Monday, June 18, 2012Our guest blogger Ashley Liberty teaches violin at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida in addition to maintaining an impressive performance career in which she's been Concertmaster for the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and…
Notes from a Suzuki Mom: Keeping Joy Alive
Thursday, May 31, 2012In today's post, Nerissa Nields talks about the big fear every music-loving parent encounters at some point: If I push my child too hard, will he just end up hating music? For me, the highlight of Nerissa's post is the moment she realizes that both…