Violin instruction at home

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • February 13, 2011 at 6:34 pm
    Michaela
    Participant

    Do any of you know of a good program for this?  My dd6 has been taking lessons once a week from an instructor, but at this season in our lives it’s not the best situation.  I have a violin too, but mostly I play by ear.  I’m confident I could teach her, but I would like a program or a book to follow.  Any suggestions?

    February 13, 2011 at 9:51 pm
    SCMconvert
    Member

    My nieces are taking a DVD corse on violinn through ABeka.

    Seems like a good course.

    Tracy

    February 14, 2011 at 1:02 am
    fluteplayer
    Member

    I’ve never used it, but I’ve heard of Ebaru Publishing violin teaching materials.

    Toni

     

    February 14, 2011 at 1:08 am
    houseofchaos
    Participant

    We use Valerie Gardner’s Building Blocks of Violin Virtuosity:

    https://www.violinvirtuosity.com/products

    I’m not sure how well it would work for a six year old; our 12 and 9 year olds use it, and teach the six year old, however.

    February 14, 2011 at 5:42 am
    Michaela
    Participant

    Oh, I did not know A Beka has a violin course, I will have to check that out! I’ve also heard of Ebaru, seems like a good program for kids, I just wanted to know if there was anything else out there.  Their website was not very useful to me.  I looked at Valerie Gardner’s page and it looks very good!  I just emailed her and asked about a 6yo using it, or more likely we will go through it together.  I’m glad to know it is working for your family. Thank you!!

    February 14, 2011 at 7:20 pm
    heatherma
    Participant

    watching to see what response you get Michaela from Gardner’s site.  I have been taking lessons for 2 1/2 yrs myself, and think I “could” teach my 6yr ds as he wants to learn. It would save money from not having his own lesson with my teacher and then only have the rental cost, but don’t want to mess it up for him either.

    February 14, 2011 at 8:37 pm
    Michaela
    Participant

    ok, I will let you know what I hear!  I’m pretty sure I will go ahead and order her DVDs anyway.  If the 12 and 9 year olds use it to teach the 6 year old (as mentioned above), I don’t know why we couldn’t! 🙂

    February 15, 2011 at 2:01 am
    houseofchaos
    Participant

    I don’t think you’ll regret purchasing Valerie Gardner’s dvd’s.  Our kids have only been playing just over a year, and most people’s jaws drop when they hear that!  (I am not bragging, it’s just that the teaching is soooo good)

    February 19, 2011 at 5:37 am
    Michaela
    Participant

    I just wanted to say that Valerie e-mailed me back very quickly, and was VERY kind and personable.  Here is some of what she wrote, just to answer the question:

    “…My answer is yes, I believe you would be pleased with both the DVDs and results I would expect you to get. I am basing my decision on your desire, the brief description you gave of your daughter, and multiple testimonies I’ve received from others who have had similar goals and situations. If you would like, I would be happy to put you in touch with a family from Canada that I’ve been emailing recently. She has used the DVDs very successfully to teach both a young son and daughter. As a matter of fact, I should be receiving a DVD from them any day now of the children’s playing…”

    houseofchaos, thank you for recommending this and for your valuable testimony!!  I can’t wait to get these 🙂

     

    February 19, 2011 at 1:50 pm
    houseofchaos
    Participant

    Michaela,

    That is too funny.  We ARE the family from Canada!  

    Valerie Gardner is a wonderful lady.  She is just as kind and personable on her teaching dvds.  We purchased them a little over a year ago before we even had a violin, just an interested student.  Our son, then 11, watched the first disc and began with recommended exercises to prepare for when he could have a violin.  We didn’t know anything about violins at all, and we live in a very rural area.  The closest place to purchase a violin was over two hours away, and they wouldn’t give any help at all over the phone or email (not even basic information).  I wasn’t sure I wanted to drive that far if they weren’t willing to be even a little helpful over the phone.  We also had no potential instructor within any reasonable driving distance.  

    So I asked Valerie Gardner if she could recommend a violin to us.  Her response was “Concerning the acquisition of a suitable violin (and bow),  I really cannot suggest one particular maker. I can, however, recommend a local dealer that I trust without reservation.  Since he lives only a few miles from me, I would be happy to select a violin and bow for your son if you would like.”

    After a few questions to determine size, etc.  she went there and picked out a violin for us!  We were thrilled.  And the dealer was just as kind and personable.

    I am so happy you are getting her dvds.  I did a lot of research, and they really seem like the best ones available (granted, I am no violinist).  Enjoy them!

    Gaeleen

    February 19, 2011 at 10:36 pm
    Michaela
    Participant

    Oh my! What are the chances?!?  That is too funny!!!! 

    Well, I guess I can tell her I am already in contact with you then 🙂

    She sounds wonderful and so does the instruction.  We are right in the middle of a move so we will order them after we get to our new home.

    Thank you again!

    Michaela

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