Youth String Project

Suzuki vs. Traditional Methods

Before enrolling your child into an orchestra program, it is important to note which practice method the program uses. Both the traditional method and the Suzuki method have advantages and disadvantages depending on what you want to focus on with your child.

Traditional Method

The traditional method is the traditional style of teaching for orchestra students. For hundreds of years, the traditional method was passed down in European schools and continued to be used today. The method remains one of the top methods for teaching new students.

Since the traditional method has been around for centuries, it is difficult to categorize exactly what it entails. For the purpose of this article, we will count anything that differs from the Suzuki method as part of the traditional method.

Some of the key techniques of the traditional method that differ from the Suzuki method include note-reading from the start, having the freedom to choose different pieces, and being extremely flexible.

Note Reading

In contrast to the Suzuki Method, the traditional method teaches students how to read notes at the very beginning of their music career. Traditionalist teachers introduce students to sheet music while they learn how to play.

This can give some students an advantage. By giving them music to read early on, they will be better acquainted with sheet music than Suzuki students. As they grow older, they will know how to read music which is an essential component to becoming a musician.

More Freedom

Despite its namesake, the traditional method can be pretty freeing for students. Since they learned how to read music early on, they will be able to read music from multiple sources outside of Suzuki books.

Traditionalist teachers can introduce students to multiple levels of music at their own pace according to how much progress the student has made. While some students may need more time to focus on one piece, other students can continue to move forward.

With the traditional method, the goal is to keep moving forward. Although this can cause students to make recurring mistakes, they will learn to move through them over time.

Flexibility

Since the traditional method covers a broad span of techniques, there is a lot of room for individuality among teachers and students. Traditionalist teachers often use a multitude of different techniques to help their students grow.

Traditionalist teachers often can give students external rewards for their progress. They can give out stickers or candy to students for doing well in practice. For younger students, this method might be perfect to motivate them to continue playing.

With the traditional method, older students are also encouraged to branch out and try new groups outside of their class and practice time. By engaging in their community, traditionalist students learn how to play in new venues and circumstances.

Key Points of the Traditional Method

Overall, the biggest advantage of the traditional method is its flexibility. The method allows students to branch out and allows teachers to teach students outside of what books state.

If you think your student will benefit from a less structured practice environment, then the traditional method may be a good fit for them.

Suzuki Method

The Suzuki Method, developed by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki, takes a unique approach to teach new orchestra students. This method takes the principles of learning acquisition and applies them to learning music.

Since the method is outside of the traditional method sphere, the Suzuki method has stricter guidelines for students, teachers, and parents. The method contains a structure that can help many new students learn how to play.

Similar to learning a new language, students can learn how to play an instrument through repeated exposure to it. The method differs from the traditional method by emphasizing the parent’s role in the learning process, focusing on listening rather than note-reading, and providing a repertoire of music for the student.

The Parent’s Role

In contrast to the traditional method, the Suzuki method emphasizes the parent’s role in the learning process. The parent is a “home teacher” for the student and attends lessons with the child.

With the Suzuki method, parents often learn how to play the instrument before the student. By learning beforehand, the student will be able to model what their parent knows.

The Suzuki method can be great for musical families who want to learn how to play together. The method can involve the entire family.

Note-reading

While the traditional method teaches students how to read music from the start, the Suzuki method delays note-reading for new students.

Similar to how a child learns how to talk before they can write, the Suzuki method teaches students how to play before they read. The student will learn the basics of how to play the instrument before they look at sheet music.

By learning the basics, the student will have a strong foundation in technique and will continue to make fewer mistakes as they mature as musicians. Although not learning how to read at first may be a hindrance for some, in the end, it can help by solidifying the student’s technique which can be applied to reading in the future.

Structure

The Suzuki method differs from the traditional method by giving teachers a stable structure to build on. While the traditional method allows teachers to use multiple different teaching techniques for different, the Suzuki method stresses giving the same music to students and focusing on problem areas.

Once students learn how to read music, the Suzuki method provides a repertoire that encourages students to face their problem areas. Each sheet of music tests the student’s ability and teaches them how to address problems in music. This allows students to grow through music experience rather than through boring practice sheets.

The Suzuki method also encourages students to learn with other students and perform with them regularly. This gives the student a community of others to play with and improve together with.

Key Points of the Suzuki Method

Overall, the Suzuki method differs from the traditional method by giving students, teachers, and parents a strict structure to follow. While the traditional method has more freedom, the Suzuki method focuses on building up basic techniques and executing them.

If you think your student will benefit from a more structured approach, then the Suzuki method may be the best fit for them. Just keep in mind that parents play a bigger role in the Suzuki method than in the traditional method.

Overall, both techniques have their advantages and disadvantages. The traditional method offers flexibility while the Suzuki method offers a consistent structure. It is up to you to decide which method is best for your student’s style of learning.

How to Choose Your First Violin

So, what should you look for when you set out to purchase your first violin?

This article is written to be your guide and will offer some important advice so that you can avoid the pitfalls so many beginners make when going out and acquiring that first instrument. You want to stay enthusiastic and full of determination. This article will help you do just that.

You Want a Quality Instrument for a Good Price.

You should try to obtain the best violin that you possibly can. How much money you spend for a violindepends on you, but normally you should not pay more than $300 for a good beginner’s violin. A violin can be purchased from numerous places including:

- - Music stores
  - Pawn shops
  - Thrift stores
  - eBay
  - Online sources like Musician’s Friend. Com

Here is some added advice. Search the classified ads in your newspaper for deals. Many people are eager to get rid of items like musical instruments and they usually are not aware of their value. Often a top-of-the line violin can be found at garage or estate sales right in your neighborhood. Even if you decide to quit taking lessons, you have made a good investment.

Consider the Kind of Wood Used to Create Violins.

When you are looking for the right violin, take into consideration the materials used to create the instrument. Don’t take it for granted that a violin that looks good will perform well. The wood used to manufacture a violin is important should be one of the following:

- - Spruce
  - Maple
  - Ebony
  - Boxwood
  - Willow
  - Poplar
  - Rosewood

These woods are important in producing a violin that has a crisp, solid sound. When you – the beginning student – learn to detect quality sound in your instrument, you will have a burning desire to continue learning.

Select the Right Size, Most Comfortable Violin for You.

Choosing the right size violin is another important factor to consider. A full-size instrument, also called a 4/4 ( 23.5 inches in length) is recommended by most music teachers for the adult beginner.

“The wrong size instrument will cause serious technique problems for the student and may even bring on chronic neck, back, and arm injuries,” a renowned teacher out of Dallas has said. “You want to feel comfortable when playing your violin.”

It is always good to take your teacher or an experienced violinist with you to find that first violin that fits you just right. The moment you find it, your whole life changes as you look ahead at the incalculable benefits of music.

Perlon or Synthetic Core Strings Are Recommended for Best Sound.

For the beginner, experts say perlon or synthetic strings should be used. Your option is steel core strings. While being wonderful for some genres of music, steel core strings usually are not associated with the rich, warm pitch of the violin.

“Spending a little more for quality strings is worth it,” concert violinist Celeste Vee says. “The strings manufactured by Thomastik-Infeld are great beginner strings,” Vee contends. “They are the simply the best and quite affordable.””

Vee also believes that the synthetic core string stays in tune longer. “Students can practice without having to stop to make frequent tonal adjustments,” she says.

Carbon Composite and Carbon Fiber Bows Are the Best.

Most professionals violinists will usually have numerous instruments violins that they use. However, most will have just one bow, or a personal favorite bow that they use most often.

“Playing the violin is 90 per cent bow, or right hand, and only 10 per cent violin, or left hand,” Celeste Vee has been quoted as saying. “Many elements of playing such as articulation, dynamics, articulation, timbre, and tempo are controlled by the bow hand and by the bow itself!”

As a beginner, you should not be bothered too much about the quality of your bow. First, learn how to use the bow. The best bow will be one that helps you get to the next level of playing.

Choosing the right bow that will bring out the best sound in your violin is something else to be considered. Carbon composite and carbon fiber bows are the best for beginners because of their strength. and agility.

Then, there is the rosin to consider. Rosin produces the sound that is emitted from your instrument. When rosin is not applied to the hair of the bow, friction between the bow and strings is missing, resulting in a sound that is barely audible.

It is the rosin that creates friction, permitting the bow to grip the strings firmly and cause them to vibrate distinctly.

Violinists and violists will tell you that they like to use a lighter rosin for their instruments. Cellos and double basses require darker rosin.

Most string players apply rosin every time they pick up their instrument, but that isn’t necessary or preferred. A touch or two of rosin, it is true, can last for at a few hours of playing time.

A Quality Case Is Needed to Protect Your Prize.

Finally, you will need a case to protect and carry your new prize. Though many beginner violin packages often include a standard case, you may want to choose a case that is made of better quality materials.

Some violin cases can be expensive while others not so expensive. The bottom line is that owning a protective violin cases is necessary. A violin case is a crucial significant investment. You want to always feel confident that your violin is safe and secure.

Violins are numerous to choose from, so it is a good to take your time in finding the one you like. Lean on your teacher for advice.

Here’s hoping you learn to play the violin well and fulfill your dream.

How to Take Care of Your Violin

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect our daily lives, practicing your violin, let alone taking care of it, might be the last thing on your mind. Even if you aren’t practicing as often as you used to, you should keep your violin in tip-top condition. A violin costs a small fortune, so you should try to get as much use as possible out of yours.

There are three main portions of a violin that need to be taken care of regularly: the strings, the bow, and the body. Keeping all three of these parts in check will help you get the most out of your violin by making only small adjustments every month or so.

Taking Care of the Strings

Violins are called string instruments for a reason. Some of the most important parts of the violin are the strings. They are essential to producing sound from the instrument.

Your strings accumulate damage over time from numerous factors. The durability of your strings, how often you play, and even your sweat can wear out your strings over time.

If your strings look worn out and produce less sound, then its time to change out your strings. There a couple of ways you can keep your strings in tip-top shape. You need to make sure to clean rosin off of your strings and change your strings when needed.

Cleaning rosin off of your strings after you play is one way to keep your strings in shape. You can do this by using a soft, linen-free cloth. Just run it over your strings after each of your practice sessions.

Another way to take care of your strings is to wash your hands before you play. Your skin has oils that can potentially damage your strings over time. By keeping your hands free of oils, you can limit how often you need to change your strings.

At a minimum, you should change your violin strings after every 9 to 12 months. If you are practicing often, then you should lean towards changing them every 9 months. If you don’t practice often, then you could get away with not changing your strings for over a year.

If you are a beginning violinist, have a teacher or a professional at a music store replace your strings for you. If you can’t get to a professional right now, wait until you can. You don’t want to mess up your strings if you have no experience changing them.

Taking Care of the Bow

The bow is probably the second most important part of the violin next to the strings. The bow helps produce loud and soft notes from the violin. It is another essential component of your violin.

Like the violin, the bow is made up of a few components: the frog, the bow hair, the bow stick, the bow tip, and the grip. The bow hair is what rubs on the violin strings to produce sound.

There are a few ways to keep the bow hair in tip-top condition. First, you should loosen your bow hair after every time you play. Second, you should get your bow hair changed often.

When you play the violin, you tighten the bow hair to produce the clear sound that you want. After playing, you should loosen the bow hair to release tension. Keeping the bow hair tight for too long can damage your bow over time.

To loosen the bow hair on your bow, you need to twist the frog. If you twist it to the right, the bow hair will tighten. To the left, it will loosen. An easy way to remember how to loosen your bow hair is by using the phrase “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.”

Changing out your bow hair, also called rehairing your bow should happen once every 6 months. Depending on how often they play and for how long, some professionals rehair their bows every 3 months. A beginner might only need to rehair their bow once a year.

Getting a professional to rehair your bow for you is the best way to go. Getting a bow rehaired can cost up to $50 or less depending on who you go to.

Taking Care of the Violin Body

Lastly, you need to make sure to take care of your violin’s body. The body works in tandem with the strings and bow to produce sound. You can keep the body of your violin in check in a few different ways.

The body of your violin is the backbone of the operation. Although it doesn’t require maintenance every 6 to 12 months, you should take care of it after you play.

For starters, keeping your violin in the case is one of the best ways to take care of your violin’s body. Leaving it out of the case for extended periods of time exposes the wood to outside elements.

During the summer, the wood of your violin expands because of the heat. In the winter, the wood shrinks in cold weather. Keeping your violin in the case will reduce temperature fluctuations for it.

As well as putting your violin back in the case after you play, make sure to wipe off rosin that your bow might have left behind. You can do this with either a soft linen-free cloth or a warm, lightly damp one.

Cleaning rosin off of the body of your violin will prevent it from getting too sticky. Especially during warmer months, it is best to keep your violin clean with as little rosin as possible sticking to it.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to take care of your violin at first. However, the goal is to try to take care of it in little and big ways.

Simple things like putting your violin back in the case or loosening your bow hair can add up to a longer violin life. Even if you miss out on getting your bow rehaired or changing out the strings, taking smaller steps will add up.

Taking care of your violin is an important part of being a violinist. If you want your violin to last for years to come, take care of your violin’s strings, bow, and body.