Monday, April 9, 2018

Group Class: Reviewing Older pieces, and Ensemble Playing

Group classes are important for so many reasons!  


Lately, I have been inspired to help my group classes strive to play as an ensemble.  My hope is for them to feel the importance of playing the same way--putting the good of whole as most important for that brief moment of each week.  I want them to move their bows together precisely, as a "school of fish", and to hear subtle phrasing and change dynamics together.  When everyone really listens and watches, and tries to match what is going on around them, magical music making can happen!  


I've also recently rediscovered (again) how much goodness there is that can be squeezed out of the Twinkle Variations.  They are set up perfectly to work on bow articulations, and precision of rhythm.  Of course this was Dr. Suzuki's idea!  But, even my late book 1 through Book 3 students are improving so much by revisiting them in group class.  


Here is an article from Parents as Partners Online (2012) by Jennifer Burton.  It has wonderful explanations for why group class and reviewing are so good for your child.


Click here:

The Importance of Group Classes, by Jennifer Burton



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