FAQ
What kind of parental involvement is needed for young beginners (age 5-7)?
Parents are encouraged to sit and watch the group lessons, but if time doesn’t permit, I will provide notes and a recap. Consistency and practicing correctly is most important, and the actual amount of time is slightly less important. It is better for beginners to be supervised during practice every day for at least 15 min. If they want to have fun and play around on the instrument before or after that, that is strongly encouraged too. But having the consistent daily 15 min (or more) of practice using correct techniques is essential to the student’s learning journey.
How will the parent know how to correct the beginning student?
I will provide some basic notes and reminder phrases that should be enough to remind the student what they should be doing. Once enrolled, I will send you a link to a students-only page where I have practice checklists with demo videos for many of the steps. I can also select some useful YouTube videos which show the proper technique. One of my most repeated phrases is that all techniques must be done in the most natural and relaxed way in order to actually be “correct.” And practicing correctly is much more important than practicing “a lot.” A short and well-focused amount of time is ideal.
Do I (or my child) need “talent” for violin lessons to be worthwhile?
Students can have a variety of goals in studying the violin. Some could desire to become professional and focus on performing at a high level. This is best for students who enjoy spending long periods of time practicing and focusing intensely on details. For many, though, studying violin can be a way of exploring a new challenge and getting to know oneself better through this process. Progressing on the violin requires that we learn to break through mental and physical limitations and expand our expectations. Those who have to struggle more, have even more to benefit from this process.
Will the group lessons be a good fit for my child?
In the beginning, it is easy for most kids to start learning together. As some progress more quickly, the group classes will have to be adjusted so that everyone’s needs are being met. This can be done by working on pieces with different parts of different difficulty. If it is best for your child, shorter private lessons can be an option.
What if we miss a group lesson?
If your child has to miss any of the group lessons, they can catch up in several ways: getting together with another student and practicing with them, having a one-time catch-up private lesson, or looking at the class notes and any materials provided and figuring it out!