Equipment
Purchasing and Maintaining Instruments, Bows, and Accessories
Standing Posture
Sitting Posture
Instrument Position
Left Hand Position
Bow Hold Preparation Games
Forming the Bow Hold
Bow Stroke Preparation Games
Beginning Bow Stroke
Detaché Bow Stroke
Spiccato Bow Stroke
Martelé Bow Stroke
Natural Harmonics
Vibrato
Sitting Posture
Instrument Position
Left Hand Position
Bow Hold Preparation Games
Forming the Bow Hold
Bow Stroke Preparation Games
Detaché Bow Stroke
Spiccato Bow Stroke
Martelé Bow Stroke
Natural Harmonics
Vibrato
Double Bass
Posture and Instrument Position
Double Bass Left Hand Position
Bow Stroke Preparation Games
Double Bass German Bow Hold
Spiccato Bow Stroke
Martelé Bow Stroke
Natural Harmonics
Vibrato
Finger taps – strengthening left hand/fingers:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWrFN4ahFXZ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWG6oXgBbG0/?taken-by=violincase
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU52OunBzPT/?taken-by=violincase
Trill routine – slow then speeding up:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWjfebmBPPf/?taken-by=violincase
First day on Dvorak – repititions/concentration, tone, focus:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWbOijNBLI0/?taken-by=violincase
Spinning hoops – arm/hand exercises:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWY0uVVBl--/?taken-by=violincase
Fingerpatterns – range of motions for fingers:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWScpnxh9o4/?taken-by=violincase
Quote from Hillary: "LH pizzicato exercise for callus-building and hand-strengthening. "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWEgJbgBY-q/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing in the dark:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV_OvM2Bbhn/?taken-by=violincase
Making pizzicato musical:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV8k-4YBNrM/?taken-by=violincase
Silent practice – studying the music/score
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV3egmSBGEQ/?taken-by=violincase
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVx4_mIhITy/?taken-by=violincase
Working on bow tilt – slow
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWQu1szhGXk/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing vibrato:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWMIUJQBBch/?taken-by=violincase
Slow bows on 2 strings:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJpnO3h65X/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing pizzicato in order to watch left hand transitions/finger placement:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVbp5qgBC7C/?taken-by=violincase
Repetition – practice before concert:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVa67FWhlYQ/?taken-by=violincase
Bow exercises – tiny down, travel to tip, tiny up
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVX5sHKhV-2/?taken-by=violincase
Arpeggios:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVRt9qqBvrv/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing with mute: Quote from Hillary: "Jetlag practice with the practice mute. The mute isn't a good thing to use regularly when working on music you'll play unmuted, but sometimes it's helpful if you don't want to make too much noise but still feel it would be good to play something - maybe technical drills, or a passage you didn't feel you got the hang of earlier in the day, or just checking in with a couple of phrases out of curiosity. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVDc20Qhy7C/?taken-by=violincase
Centering intonation – warm up – during double stops:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU7TMQ2BXbw/?taken-by=violincase
Intonation – tuning A minor
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUz9W7vBf4_/?taken-by=violincase
Checking arm/body positon: Quote from Hillary: "Working on fluidity in the upper half of the bow without pivoting from my shoulders to reach the tip. -HH"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUxZPvWhHRi/?taken-by=violincase
Super slow long bows – wow:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvPzZ1horv/?taken-by=violincase
Marking the music:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUs6HIZhAgW/?taken-by=violincase
Overcoming bad days:
Quote from Hillary: "It's a weird adrenal-crash sort of day, when it feels like my cells aren't coordinating with each other. Here, I'm working on figuring out what's up with my left hand; it didn't feel smooth. Of course most of practicing is about the music, but some of it is also about understanding the body as it relates to the instrument. Everyone has these seemingly random, "what happened???!" days. The question then becomes whether or not you can make them work for you. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUkfU4PhVtF/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing without vibrato:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUU4RcYBu8b/?taken-by=violincase
Recording your practice – watching and fixing: "It's just one of those days. Trying to do my best but my mind is super sluggish. A good day to video a session and then watch it back, to see how the music is coming across. Then try again with changes and watch again. Ditto, ditto. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUPS6GCBUzu/?taken-by=violincase
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTrx5YnhjzB/?taken-by=violincase
Learning new bowing – new stuff takes reps and time…careful focus and thought:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUN4wV9hpG9/?taken-by=violincase
Moving/walking while practicing:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUDGgEshM_w/?taken-by=violincase
Not feeling like practicing, but doing it anyway:
"Tired today and my body is feeling stiff. Really didn't feel like practicing, but there's a concert to warm up and get in the mindset for. This is what happens mid tour! Very normal. Working on some small details quietly to encourage the revving up process. The gaps between attempts are when I'm resetting my thoughts to try again. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT4SlH8Bypk/?taken-by=violincase
Checking posture with mirror:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT1sZHJB_1G/?taken-by=violincase
What goes on in the mind during practice? Think of the audience!
"I spent the afternoon in meetings and wanted to clear my head before the next part of my day. One of those meetings had led me to consider whether or not I create moments of beauty for myself when I'm alone in a room, practicing or otherwise. I realized that when I practice, I almost always think of other people: the audience. Which I should do! This practice session, to shake things up, I took a few moments to play only the notes I was instinctively compelled to play, when I wanted to play them, however they would emerge. It's improvisation, but not to convey anything at all. At a certain point (where this video starts), a euphoric feeling of calm kicked in, and my mind felt refreshed. –HH"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTwfm1cBD1Y/?taken-by=violincase
Connecting vibrato between notes:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTt8m2ehf0k/?taken-by=violincase
Automation of Daily RoutinesTuning proceduresI used Garageband to create an automated tuning sequence. Mind you, this is to be used after your students have become familiar with tuning their own instruments somewhat independently. I use this time to walk around my room, assist with tuning, and take care of other matters (administrative duties, like attendance).
I use a three step system for each string:
1. Listen – students carefully listen to the pitch without talking or movement
2. Internalize – students sing or hum the pitch to themselves
3. Tune – students quietly
Listen to the of Tuning Sequence files (embedded)Intro:
Audio Player
00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.A String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.D String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.G String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.C String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.E String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Three Minute Countdown:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.
Download Tuning Sequence files (mp3)To download these files (and run locally on your computer), simply right click or control click on each of these and select “Download to disk” or similar in the pop up menu. (see this graphic)
Intro | A String | D String | G String | C String | E String | Three Minute Countdown (Narration)
Warm-ups (scales, exercises, echoes, etc.)I have created audio files that help my orchestras learn and play scales. The scales are played in whole notes, with quarter note at about 70 bpm. This gives students time to adjust their pitch and helps students really lock it in. In addition, it helps students work on that ever-so-difficult concept of slow bows, improving their bowstroke and tone.
To help students learn their scales, I pass out my Scale “Cheat Sheet” (pdf). This allows my advanced students to play in upper octaves and others to play at the lower octave. In addition, it allows them to focus on the note name rather than the notation.
Listen to one-octave scales with drones (embedded)C Major
Audio Player00:00
01:03
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.G Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.D Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.A Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.E Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.F Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Bb Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Eb Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Ab Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.C Chromatic
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Download one-octave scales with drone audio filesC Major | G Major | D Major | A Major | E Major
F Major | Bb Major | Eb Major | Ab Major | C Chromatic
More enhancement strategies…
Purchasing and Maintaining Instruments, Bows, and Accessories
Standing Posture
Sitting Posture
Instrument Position
Left Hand Position
Bow Hold Preparation Games
Forming the Bow Hold
Bow Stroke Preparation Games
Beginning Bow Stroke
Detaché Bow Stroke
Spiccato Bow Stroke
Martelé Bow Stroke
Natural Harmonics
Vibrato
Sitting Posture
Instrument Position
Left Hand Position
Bow Hold Preparation Games
Forming the Bow Hold
Bow Stroke Preparation Games
Detaché Bow Stroke
Spiccato Bow Stroke
Martelé Bow Stroke
Natural Harmonics
Vibrato
Double Bass
Posture and Instrument Position
Double Bass Left Hand Position
Bow Stroke Preparation Games
Double Bass German Bow Hold
Spiccato Bow Stroke
Martelé Bow Stroke
Natural Harmonics
Vibrato
Finger taps – strengthening left hand/fingers:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWrFN4ahFXZ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWG6oXgBbG0/?taken-by=violincase
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU52OunBzPT/?taken-by=violincase
Trill routine – slow then speeding up:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWjfebmBPPf/?taken-by=violincase
First day on Dvorak – repititions/concentration, tone, focus:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWbOijNBLI0/?taken-by=violincase
Spinning hoops – arm/hand exercises:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWY0uVVBl--/?taken-by=violincase
Fingerpatterns – range of motions for fingers:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWScpnxh9o4/?taken-by=violincase
Quote from Hillary: "LH pizzicato exercise for callus-building and hand-strengthening. "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWEgJbgBY-q/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing in the dark:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV_OvM2Bbhn/?taken-by=violincase
Making pizzicato musical:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV8k-4YBNrM/?taken-by=violincase
Silent practice – studying the music/score
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV3egmSBGEQ/?taken-by=violincase
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVx4_mIhITy/?taken-by=violincase
Working on bow tilt – slow
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWQu1szhGXk/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing vibrato:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWMIUJQBBch/?taken-by=violincase
Slow bows on 2 strings:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJpnO3h65X/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing pizzicato in order to watch left hand transitions/finger placement:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVbp5qgBC7C/?taken-by=violincase
Repetition – practice before concert:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVa67FWhlYQ/?taken-by=violincase
Bow exercises – tiny down, travel to tip, tiny up
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVX5sHKhV-2/?taken-by=violincase
Arpeggios:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVRt9qqBvrv/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing with mute: Quote from Hillary: "Jetlag practice with the practice mute. The mute isn't a good thing to use regularly when working on music you'll play unmuted, but sometimes it's helpful if you don't want to make too much noise but still feel it would be good to play something - maybe technical drills, or a passage you didn't feel you got the hang of earlier in the day, or just checking in with a couple of phrases out of curiosity. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVDc20Qhy7C/?taken-by=violincase
Centering intonation – warm up – during double stops:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU7TMQ2BXbw/?taken-by=violincase
Intonation – tuning A minor
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUz9W7vBf4_/?taken-by=violincase
Checking arm/body positon: Quote from Hillary: "Working on fluidity in the upper half of the bow without pivoting from my shoulders to reach the tip. -HH"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUxZPvWhHRi/?taken-by=violincase
Super slow long bows – wow:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUvPzZ1horv/?taken-by=violincase
Marking the music:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUs6HIZhAgW/?taken-by=violincase
Overcoming bad days:
Quote from Hillary: "It's a weird adrenal-crash sort of day, when it feels like my cells aren't coordinating with each other. Here, I'm working on figuring out what's up with my left hand; it didn't feel smooth. Of course most of practicing is about the music, but some of it is also about understanding the body as it relates to the instrument. Everyone has these seemingly random, "what happened???!" days. The question then becomes whether or not you can make them work for you. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUkfU4PhVtF/?taken-by=violincase
Practicing without vibrato:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUU4RcYBu8b/?taken-by=violincase
Recording your practice – watching and fixing: "It's just one of those days. Trying to do my best but my mind is super sluggish. A good day to video a session and then watch it back, to see how the music is coming across. Then try again with changes and watch again. Ditto, ditto. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUPS6GCBUzu/?taken-by=violincase
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTrx5YnhjzB/?taken-by=violincase
Learning new bowing – new stuff takes reps and time…careful focus and thought:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUN4wV9hpG9/?taken-by=violincase
Moving/walking while practicing:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUDGgEshM_w/?taken-by=violincase
Not feeling like practicing, but doing it anyway:
"Tired today and my body is feeling stiff. Really didn't feel like practicing, but there's a concert to warm up and get in the mindset for. This is what happens mid tour! Very normal. Working on some small details quietly to encourage the revving up process. The gaps between attempts are when I'm resetting my thoughts to try again. -HH "
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT4SlH8Bypk/?taken-by=violincase
Checking posture with mirror:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT1sZHJB_1G/?taken-by=violincase
What goes on in the mind during practice? Think of the audience!
"I spent the afternoon in meetings and wanted to clear my head before the next part of my day. One of those meetings had led me to consider whether or not I create moments of beauty for myself when I'm alone in a room, practicing or otherwise. I realized that when I practice, I almost always think of other people: the audience. Which I should do! This practice session, to shake things up, I took a few moments to play only the notes I was instinctively compelled to play, when I wanted to play them, however they would emerge. It's improvisation, but not to convey anything at all. At a certain point (where this video starts), a euphoric feeling of calm kicked in, and my mind felt refreshed. –HH"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTwfm1cBD1Y/?taken-by=violincase
Connecting vibrato between notes:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTt8m2ehf0k/?taken-by=violincase
Automation of Daily RoutinesTuning proceduresI used Garageband to create an automated tuning sequence. Mind you, this is to be used after your students have become familiar with tuning their own instruments somewhat independently. I use this time to walk around my room, assist with tuning, and take care of other matters (administrative duties, like attendance).
I use a three step system for each string:
1. Listen – students carefully listen to the pitch without talking or movement
2. Internalize – students sing or hum the pitch to themselves
3. Tune – students quietly
Listen to the of Tuning Sequence files (embedded)Intro:
Audio Player
00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.A String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.D String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.G String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.C String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.E String:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Three Minute Countdown:
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.
Download Tuning Sequence files (mp3)To download these files (and run locally on your computer), simply right click or control click on each of these and select “Download to disk” or similar in the pop up menu. (see this graphic)
Intro | A String | D String | G String | C String | E String | Three Minute Countdown (Narration)
Warm-ups (scales, exercises, echoes, etc.)I have created audio files that help my orchestras learn and play scales. The scales are played in whole notes, with quarter note at about 70 bpm. This gives students time to adjust their pitch and helps students really lock it in. In addition, it helps students work on that ever-so-difficult concept of slow bows, improving their bowstroke and tone.
To help students learn their scales, I pass out my Scale “Cheat Sheet” (pdf). This allows my advanced students to play in upper octaves and others to play at the lower octave. In addition, it allows them to focus on the note name rather than the notation.
Listen to one-octave scales with drones (embedded)C Major
Audio Player00:00
01:03
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.G Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.D Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.A Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.E Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.F Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Bb Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Eb Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Ab Major
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.C Chromatic
Audio Player00:00
00:00
Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Download one-octave scales with drone audio filesC Major | G Major | D Major | A Major | E Major
F Major | Bb Major | Eb Major | Ab Major | C Chromatic
More enhancement strategies…
- Use a drum machine, Garageband, or other software to put a drum beat into boring exercises such as etudes, scales, thirds, echoes, etc.
- Make easy songs sound more interesting or difficult with a track.
- Check out “D String Rock,” and other simple tunes for beginners that sounds awesome with a track I created in Garageband
- Use SmartMusic in your lessons with a computer attached to a projector. Go through the repertoire you are working on and play next to a student who is having difficulties.
- Use Intonia to track the intonation of students and allow others to comment on notes that are flat, sharp, etc.
- These ideas can help you increase proximity to individuals and help reach more students.
- You will need to adjust your technology use for your particular situation (ie. small or big classes, student/teacher’s tech knowledge)