For a student, private violin lessons are a precious opportunity. So much of education happens in classes where students are taught in a group. Children can learn a great deal from others in a group, however, an art like playing the violin requires individual attention. Each child is unique. In a private violin lesson, the student's strengths can be built upon; impediments to progress can be addressed directly; inspiration can be encouraged.
For example, I have one student who writes music. We start each lesson by playing what she has written. Another student has trouble with rhythm. We sing and clap rhythms from the Bartok Violin Duets before playing them. One student came in inspired by a friend playing Bach on the 'cello. We are working on that piece.
For example, I have one student who writes music. We start each lesson by playing what she has written. Another student has trouble with rhythm. We sing and clap rhythms from the Bartok Violin Duets before playing them. One student came in inspired by a friend playing Bach on the 'cello. We are working on that piece.
Services
Teaching, practicing, performing
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In a violin lesson, the teacher hears (and sees) myriad faults to be corrected. But the student can assimilate a limited amount of new information. The teacher must exercise considerable self-discipline to choose what will most benefit the student at this point in his development. In particular, most students will need help and support to perform comfortably from memory.
Classical music and improvisation music
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We musicians strive to be creative whatever we are playing. When playing a written piece, it should sound fresh, as if improvised; when improvising, it should sound thoughtful, as if composed. You can explore ideas or elements in music you are working on by improvising on these ideas or elements. The ability to improvise makes your technique more flexible; if you slip up while playing written music, it is easier to recover.
The book
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The Creative Violinist: Integrating Technique and Music through Improvisation is a new approach to studying the violin in order to become a well-rounded and creative musician. Written for violin and viola students-and their teachers--this book is a hands-on, write-all-over-it, spill-coffee-on-it workbook for integrating musicianship and technique through improvisation.
Creative violinist workshops
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Improvisation for string players is on the cover of Strings Magazine, in the MENCE National Standards in Music-it is in the air. Your string students can start improvising right away in an hour-long workshop I am offering. This workshop focuses on students playing, without long-winded explanation. It is not based on a particular style, but rather builds from what the students have to offer right now.
My background
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I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I began studying the violin at PS 8 in Brooklyn Heights, moving on to private lessons at the Third Street Music School in Manhattan, back when a subway token cost 15 cents. In high school, I attended the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Department and during the summer attended the arcadian Kinhaven Music School.
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