FIFTH GRADE
Welcome to my Studio and thanks for visiting my page!
Required Material
- Notebook - I write notes at every lesson for as well as things practice and prepare for the next weeks lesson
- Pencil
- Suzuki Book 1
- Shoulder Rest
- Metronome/Tuner - Please note, iOS and Android Apps are not as reliable as a physical device.
All Violin and Viola Students must acquire Suzuki Book 1 - Please visit Sharmusic.com or Motters Music in Canfield to purchase. A link can also be found under the 'Resources' page for your convenience!
First and Foremost, all fifth grade violin and viola students must have all letter names and correlating line or space memorized by winter break. Playing an instrument without knowing what you're reading on the page is like trying to read a book and not know how to sound out words. This will help us to have fun learning to play the violin or viola!
There are helpful worksheets and flash cards for you to downloads in the media library.
A few things about fifth grade lesson structure:
- we will begin every lesson with warm up to our muscles moving! No Ifs, Ands, Or Buts!
- Until winter break the primary focus will be on three things:
1. Instrument Setup & Position as well as Bow Grip - how do you write if you don't know how to hold a pencil?
2. Note Identification - How you read if you don't know the alphabet?
3. Rhythm Identification and counting
- After the winter concert, I do not work on much school music. Instead the aim is to teach the student how to practice, and recreate what we do in our lesson.
- Scales are boring, lets face it! Learn and memorize them once so we can move on to bigger and better things!
SIXTH GRADE
All 6th Grade Students should be into Suzuki Book 2 or 3. Please obtain at your earliest convenience.
*INSTRUMENT PURCHASE*
Students going into 7th Grade are required to have their own instrument. There are mainly two options 1. Rent/Rent to Own or 2. Purchase
If you have a family member or friend that has an instrument available, please bring it into a lesson so I may look it over.
THE ONLY TWO PLACES I RECOMMEND YOU RENT OR PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT FROM ARE:
Shar Music is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is the countries largest mail order company for string instruments and accessories. They have an attractive rental program as well as great priced instruments. Outfits package deals will include case and bow.
VIOLIN
CLICK HERE for VIOLIN Recommendation #1 - Franz Hoffman "Maestro" Violin Standard Outfit
CLICK HERE for VIOLIN Recommendation #2 - Franz Hoffman "Maestro Deluxe Outfit -includes a better case and bow with this "Deluxe" package
CLICK HERE for VIOLIN Recommendation #3 - Franz Hoffman "Vienna" Deluxe Outfit - one grade lower than the Maestro Outfit.
VIOLA - each viola student will need to be sized in order to get the proper instrument size.
CLICK HERE for VIOLA Recommendation #1 - Franz Hoffman "Concert" Deluxe Outfit -includes a better case and bow with this "Deluxe" package.
CLICK HERE for VIOLA Recommendation #2 - Franz Hoffman "Danube" Viola Outift
The Loft Violin Shop located in Columbus, Ohio has a great partnership with The Boardman Orchestra Program. Every may TLVS presents a "fiddle fair" at BHS where students can purchase and rent instruments, buy accessories or take care of issues with an existing rental or purchase.
HOW DO THEY COMPARE?
Both are great options! I am fine with students having instruments from either establishment! In my experience, I've found Shar Music to have instruments and bow that a shade better than what I have seen from the Loft. Shar Music also has less overhead cost and thus allowing for a cheaper product.
WHAT ABOUT AMAZON OR EBAY?
I implore you, PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT FROM AMAZON OR EBAY!!! Despite the attractive price tag, you truly get what you pay for! These instruments are very poorly constructed and set up, sometimes almost unplayable! So again, PLEASE DO NOT BUY AN INSTRUMENT FROM EBAY OR AMAZON!!!