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Private Violin/Viola


Adults

Private Lesson Curriculum


Everyone comes to the violin or the viola with different experience and background in music. Our instructor will work with you to reach your individual goals and learning style. Typical lessons include two main categories: technique study and repertoire. Techniques include holding the instrument and bow correctly, playing with good posture, playing open strings with a good, solid, and beautiful tone, as well as using scales and arpeggios to work on intonation and finger placement. Repertoire includes carefully selected sheet music or a music book to advance your techniques in a piece of music. Here are some of the music books I typically use with beginners and elementary level students: Essential Elements, Suzuki Violin School, Suzuki Viola School, and Barbara Barber’s Solos for Young Violists. For intermediate to advanced students, I typically use repertoire from Suzuki Books 4-5, J.S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas (violin) or Suites (viola), and for technique: Flesch Scale System and etudes from Kreutzer, Sevcik, Mazas, and Wolfhart. We’ll work together to create a timeline to reach your goals, and have fun in the process, learning to play the violin or viola!


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If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

There are a couple of places you can buy or rent an instrument and accessories: Amro in Memphis, Little Rock Violin Shop, and Shar Music in Michigan (They can ship things and have excellent customer service.). 

https://www.amromusic.com/renting-a-violin

https://www.littlerockviolinshop.com/beginning.html

https://www.sharmusic.com/Rentals/National-Rentals/?state=AR

Be sure to read the paragraph on the Little Rock Violin Shop page: “What's wrong with buying a beginner/a bargain instrument from the internet?” Basically, buying a cheap instrument on the internet comes with the hidden cost of set up and repair bills of $75-$200, often exceeding the instrument’s original purchase price.

If you’re an adult or a high school student, you'll need a "full size," also called "4/4" size violin. For children, you will need to measure their arm length and refer to the chart here. Consult the violin shops listed above more assistance on sizing.


When you buy or rent a violin or viola, a basic "outfit" means that it comes with a bow and a case. 

You'll also need to have: 

1. rosin

2. extra set of strings

3. shoulder rest

4. folding music stand for practicing at home

5. tuner*

6. metronome*

7. original sheet music or music book


*You can download a free app on your phone for tuning and a metronome, or you can buy a combo tuner/metronome.


Optional for beginners: “finger guide