Lakehead Suzuki Strings in Thunder Bay, ON
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Practice tips

ABC's of Group Experience — by Jacqueline Maurer

Arrival — Arrive early with time for unpacking and tuning and time to catch your breath! Help the class to start on time!

Behaviours — Loving, courteous and respectful behaviours are cultivated. We try to respect each other and others' feelings.

Community — People working on common goals have a sense of belonging, and bonds are strengthened between them.

Discipline — Classes are enjoyable within a disciplined framework. Students learn to follow a leader and develop many cooperative skills.

Exhilaration — Contributing to a large group sound and accomplishing shared group goals are exhilarating activities. Group experience provides a showcase for skills!

Frequent performances — Frequent ensemble and solo performance opportunities build confidence and ease of playing.

Games — Games have a purpose! They teach techniques in fun ways and give students a chance to take a break.

Head to Heels — Group time is a chance for teachers to gently remind students to play with their best postures.

Interest in the child — If you spend a large block of time with your child, he/she can sense the importance you attach to these activities.

Joy — Work is joy. Participation gives a sense of accomplishment which is an important part of the happiness journey. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Keeping skills sharpened — Students should be well-reviewed before group classes. Then pieces can be worked on in a confident and challenging way.

Listening — Listening skills improve by listening to directions in class, learning audience listening manners and developing a heightened awareness of tone and musicality.

Motivation — A direct by-product of all of these points will be increased enthusiasm for playing the instrument.

New ideas — Teachers have new and different ideas which can be shared in a group setting and among themselves.

Observation — Observe each other's postures and techniques, poise of recital soloists, more advanced players and the many interactions of parents, children and teachers.

Peer interaction — A group class spurs growth in a way that teachers and parents can't.

Quick reflexes — Quick reaction to instructions. Mental agility. Quick reflex games.

Reinforcement — Reinforce, review and revise techniques and musical concepts learned in private lessons.

Socializing — Friendships are made between students and parents and teachers. Problems and successes can be shared in a relaxed and informal way.

Team work — Team competition instead of individual competition is recommended for group classes. The results of team efforts can be very rewarding.

Unison playing — Ensemble and unison playing offer various challenges and bring awareness of different combinations of sound.

Variety — Some teachers are high energy, some have a more relaxed style. Some are right brained, some left. Some sequential, some holistic. Children learn to adapt to their group teachers' different styles.

Working on polishing pieces — After notes and bowings are learned, details of phrasing, intonation and musical ideas can be refined in a fun and challenging way.

eXpectations. — Vary from parent to parent and child to child. With a variety of faculty and classes, these can be met at different times and in different ways.

Yielding results — Yields of highest quality and quantity for our youth from group experiences!

Zest — Zest for music!
Jacqueline Maurer maintains a private studio in Denver and teachers for the Denver Talent Education program. Jacqueline is a registered SAA Teacher Trainer.
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  • Home
    • About
    • Key Ad
    • Links
  • Violin Parties
    • Practice Tips
    • Practice Motivation
  • Registration Form
    • FAQs
  • Gallery
  • Contact