Priorities for Teaching/Playing
August 8, 2011
I strongly believe in following these priorities for teaching my students and hope all the other teachers out there will follow this so students who are learning will truly enjoy each and every piece they play:
1. Posture
2. Tone/Tonalization
3. Intonation
4. Musicality
5. Notes to new pieces
Enrolling Students to Jianni’s Violin Studio
August 6, 2011
After moving back to Mountain House, CA and getting all settled down, it’s time to start teaching!!! I’ve added my studio policy. I am really excited to start teaching new students and taking them to different places to perform!!! One of my other goals is also to start a Suzuki orchestra in the Mountain House community. I hope to get some of the parent and community support on this so we can start and build up the strings in MH!
Movie Night in the Park
July 8, 2011
Movie Night in the Park
July 15, 7:00 P.M. Central Park
6:45 Concession stand opens
7:00 Live entertainment by one or two local violin teachers. Movie Themed Music.
7:20 Double Feature night! 30-40 minute video of local events/people.
8:00 Feature presentation.
Bring family & chairs or blankets.
Come by and see me perform on a fun movie night with the family!!!:)
Why Learn Music?
July 7, 2011
Just two months ago, many local school music teachers received pink slips because the state decided to cut music programs from the schools around here. When I heard about this, I was actually thinking of sending my son to a private school where I know the music program won’t be cut. Due to the large amount of upset parents who responded to the state’s decision, our local school music programs were saved! HOORAY!!!!!!
Here is a list of WHY we learn music for your reference:
Appreciation of music
Focus / concentration
Perseverance
Time management
Fine motor control
Coordination
Self-discipline
Self-expression
Self-esteem
Confidence
Performance skills
Stage presence
Poise
Public speaking
Problem solving
Goal setting
Responsibility
Memory
Intelligence
Realizing one’s potential
Sense of perfecting each step
Group skills
Noncompetitive attitude
Sharing of ideas
Creativity Cooperation
Tenacity
Delayed gratification
Ability to listen
Ability to take instruction
Respect Self control
Tolerance
Ability to prioritize
Flexibility
Leadership
Ability to follow
Learn from mistakes
Share emotions
Preparedness
Positive attitude
The pleasure of giving the gift of music
I’m sure there are other great reasons why people learn music that are not on this list. Therefore, please support your child’s school music program and let the principals know just how important music is to you and your child:)
It’s been a while since I blogged, and I apologize! I should be getting better at blogging from here on. First off, our whole family moved back to Northern CA from Taipei early June, and as soon as we moved back, I went to attend the Colorado Suzuki Institute training courses for violin teachers for 2 weeks! I just got back from a wonderful time in Beaver Creek, CO. I would highly recommend anyone who is studying in the Suzuki method to attend this institute. We had beautiful weather and music everyday:) Here is a photo of the view I was looking at everyday as I went up to observe a class. Remember to visit http://www.suzukiassociation.org for more info on Summer Institutes:) ~ Keep Violinin’
It’s been a while since I updated this site. One of the many reasons for being not as up-to-date is the surgery on my right shoulder. Last Thursday, the doctor finally took out 2 lipomas and a tumor(hoping it’s nothing too serious). The doctor said the cause to these lumps on my shoulder is the excessive usage of it probably during my work and during my violin practices. I will need to rest for a couple weeks before it’s fully recovered. However, I’m still going to try and manage to conduct this Friday’s Spring Concert at school, since it is going to be my last concert at Bethany:(
I would like to share with all of you a picture from the most recent event I attended, which is a full day music festival at Morrison Academy in Taichung, Taiwan. It was awesome meeting all of the other talented music teachers from other campuses and just having a great time enjoying the presence of a huge ensemble group. Middle school students from all 3 Morrison campuses joined together in Choir, Band, and Orchestra. Each ensemble group presented 2-3 pieces. The orchestra presented Spring Breezes and Queen Noor Suites, where I conducted Spring Breezes and another teacher conducted Queen Noor Suites. It was a very successful concert and we had some very positive feedbacks! Good job students and teachers from Morrison!!!:)
Rehearsal Time
The Rubber Band Technique
March 30, 2011
This video was shared with all of my students because sometimes it’s just too difficult to explain to the students how to relax and just use the wrist. When I watched this video, everything just made a lot of sense:) Hope it’s helpful to you as well!
The Prayer
March 12, 2011
Dear Heavenly Father,
May You comfort the people of Japan and provide them the strength they will need to get through this difficult time.
Bring together all of humanity to do our parts to help. Use Your wisdom to guide the leaders – point the way to begin the clean up and the healing process.
I pray that You will send Your angels to assist in a mighty way, and may many turn to You for comfort and understanding.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
They’ve Arrived!!!:)
March 1, 2011
I’ve waited for these T-shirts, Buttons, and Bags for 3 weeks and they’ve FINALLY arrived in my place!!! I’m sooooo excited to share these with my students and with anyone else that’s interested in purchasing them from me. I’m going to try and figure out how to set up Paypal on this site so people can order directly from me online, instead of emailing me for their orders. If you are interested in ordering now, please email me at keepviolinin@gmail.com.
T-shirts are $15 each, Canvas bags are $10 each, and Buttons are $1 each. I will have some of my students wear these shirts so I’ll be posting those pictures on here at a later date. Sizes range from XS for kids all the way to XL in adults.
*Shipping fee will vary depending on your location.
These are some photos of the items that came in today:
The Vibrato
February 20, 2011
I wanted to write about vibrato today because so many of my students just can’t wait to master vibrato so they can sound good. However, they must be very patient with trying to master this technique. Acquiring a fine vibrato may take a long time, but the student and the teacher should be convinced that he/she can acquire it. I remember when I was studying vibrato from Dr. Starr, he told me I had to control my vibrato, it shouldn’t control me. I didn’t quite understand it until I started teaching vibrato to a student of mine who was already doing well with his vibrato. The same phrase came out of my mouth as I was teaching him vibrato, because his speed of the vibrato was not steady and sometimes the first finger would have a better vibrato sound than the second finger. Basically, he wasn’t taking control of his vibrato. I think these three physical requirements are really important for a nice vibrato:
1. Proper support of the violin
2. An even, relaxed hand oscillation
3. Flexibility in the finger joints
I suggest all students who are currently learning vibrato to have lots and lots of patience and practice 5-10 minutes a day just on vibrato and remember it is a slow progress, but never give up on it:) Show your teacher what you have accomplished every time you have a lesson and that way your teacher can tell you if you are going in the right direction or not.
Have fun and Keep Violinin’ ^_^
Keepviolinin 