Keepviolinin

Tonight I taught Austin a new song, Andantino, in Suzuki Book I.  It’s in the key of D Major, and he’s started to use his 4th finger.  We’ve been working hard to develop some 4th finger muscles these days, so here’s a prelude video to this piece.  I’ll upload the final piece in a couple days, but I was surprised he could already memorize the first part of this piece:) I think it’s because we’ve been doing a lot of listening of the Book I CD:)

~ Keep Violinin’

Once again, I’d like to wish everyone a healthy and happy 2012!! I am hoping to blog more in 2012. Please continue to visit my page and give me suggestions on how I can improve my contents to help you, the Suzuki parent or student to enjoy learning the violin:)

I’ve also decided to publish all my future videos on my new youtube account: KEEPVIOLININ

Let us welcome 2012 as well as the Year of the Dragon, which is coming on Jan.23, 2012.

My students will be performing at the 1st Annual Lunar New Year Celebration in Mountain House, CA organized by the Mountain House Asian-American Association (http://www.mhaaa.com)

COME AND JOIN US!!!!

Happy New Year to everyone from Mountain House, CA!!!:)

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday!! I know I’ve been recharged and looking forward to another year of challenges and concerts:)

I recently uploaded some photos from the Christmas Celebration Concert onto my Flickr account, so you can view them by scrolling down this page.

I just received an email message from one of my students telling me how much she is looking forward to having violin lessons with me again after this long break!!!:) This is the reward of being a teacher..simple emails from students just telling me how much they are looking forward to our lessons together:)

May God bless all of us with good health and lots of happiness in 2012!!!

~ Keep Violinin’

This song was one of the songs I had my students perform in the Christmas Concert I had, and since the music is not too difficult for my husband to pick up, we decided to try this as our second family trio:) Enjoy!:)

~ Keep Violinin’ 2011 ~

I’m hosting my 1st Annual Christmas Celebrations Concert with my students on Dec.18, 2011 in my home and preparing for a concert with the Livermore-Amador Symphony on Dec.3rd, so I will not be posting any updates until my Christmas holiday break:)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!!!!! CHEERS TO A SAFE AND WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!

~ Keep Violinin’

I just want to put this bit of information on my website for the Suzuki parents or future Suzuki parents to read:

The below excerpt is from the book ‘First Class Tips for Suzuki Parents’

Since Suzuki’s approach is modeled on the way children learn to speak their native language, it involves listening, observation and imitation of parent and teacher…

The parent’s role involves:

1. Committing themselves to their own on-going education about the Suzuki approach…

2. Creating a musical environment…

3. Learning the fundamentals of playing the instrument and taking care of it…

4. Attending lessons with the child and assisting with practice at home…

5. Creating a total environment of affection, support, encouragement, and understanding…

The most important ingredient for success is the parent’s willingness to devote regular time to work closely with the child and the teacher.

I know it’s sometimes frustrating especially for beginner students’ parents to be patient and work closely with the child and at the same time be affectionate, encouraging, and understanding. I would highly recommend Suzuki parents to go online to Suzuki Website and participate in one of the summer institutes that the Suzuki association offers every summer.  It’s not only a fun family event, but it allows you to meet other Suzuki families that are probably going through the same thing you are going through:) The website not only has information on the summer institutes, but it also has a forum where you can get some advice from other Suzuki parents or teachers:)

Enjoy & Keep Violinin’

It’s been 2 months of daily practice and Austin is now feeling much more relaxed when he is playing the violin.  It really is all about practicing the violin daily, even if it’s just picking up the violin and playing a twinkle variation.  It makes a huge difference when he practices daily, because the arms and hands are all starting to get the feel of how to become more relaxed when holding and playing the violin. It also takes a lot of patience from the parents and teachers to get through the first few months of learning the violin.  I know some students won’t even finish the Twinkles until 6 months later…every child is different, but it’s definitely the hardest in the very beginning of learning the violin for everyone.  Here is Austin playing Go Tell Aunt Rhody memorized:)

Click here to watch Austin play Go Tell Aunt Rhody

Hope everyone will have a safe and happy Halloween weekend! We will be playing our violins at Questa Elementary School @ 7pm tomorrow, so come back for more pictures from tomorrow’s event!!

Click here to watch the violin performance from the Mountain House string players:)

I attended my first rehearsal with the Livermore-Amador Symphony last night and it was so much fun being with so many musicians that simply just love to play their instruments:) This is something that I had a very hard time with while living in China and Taiwan.  The group had just finished a performance last Friday, so last night was the first rehearsal before the Dec.3rd concert so I joined at the right time:)

Here’s some info about the symphony and how you can help and support this wonderful community orchestra. See you at our next concert!!:)

Livermore-Amador Symphony Website