Blog
How to Train Your Ears
Playing tunes by ear is just one of the many benefits of ear training. People think ear training is a big mystery, and they have no idea how to go about doing it, so they don't. But it's simple. Here are 5 steps you can take to put your ears through boot camp. Go in...
My Unfortunate Specialty: Cramming (In 5 Steps)
How to learn a lot of tunes really fast YES, I have this down to a science! I regularly have to cram 50 new fiddle tunes into my head and fingers, to sit in with a new band, or playing in unfamiliar circles. I try not to cram classical music as blatantly, but I have...
How to Determine What Suzuki Book to Place a Student In
Here I list the skills students should learn in each Suzuki violin book so that teachers and students can know where they should be placed.
Correlating Suzuki Levels with ASTA, the ABRSM, and the RCM
This post attempts to summarize the equivalencies between Suzuki books and corresponding levels of ASTA, ABRSM, and RCM. (American String Teachers Association, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Royal Conservatories of Music)
Practice Tip: Even Vegetarian Violinists Should Try Cold Turkey
I don't eat animals. So why am I telling you to try cold turkey? The concept of "cold turkey" does not translate well into other languages, so let's first define what this figure of speech means. Google defines it thus: "in a sudden and abrupt manner". "Cold Turkey"...
Springtime Means One Thing: Buzzing Violins
Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder what this buzzing is!!! Don't blame Spring, put the blame on Winter. Violins go through hell every time we enter the Winter season, and every time we exit the Winter season. The causes are many, but I'll name just a two:...