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A Little Extra for My Students

January 27, 2010 at 4:35 AM

There is so much fascinating and useful information about the violin that I can't squeeze into 45 minute lessons. If I were teaching a one semester course, I could begin to do the subject justice. I asked myself what I can do with my limited time to extend the teaching and learning experience, and I thought of a fairly quick and easy activity: Write and send occasional, brief newsletters to my students and their parents. I want my newsletters to be short and fun to read, or else they will get buried in people's clogged email inboxes. I want something in each issue to appeal to each of my students. Even though my students are all beginners, they are diverse. They range in age from 8 to 60. Some are rank beginners, and some are re-beginners. Some currently know how to play another instrument, but most don't. Many are interested in fiddle music, a few in classical music, and many in all kinds of music. They vary in the amount of time they've been with me, ranging from a few weeks to a few years.

Although the goal I set for myself was challenging, I accomplished it. What's more, it was fun to do. The feedback I got on my first newsletter was good, so I wrote a second one. I invite you to read it here. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

From SAM MIHAILOFF
Posted on January 27, 2010 at 4:44 AM

Stradivari...the Latin suffix refers to the instrument "of Stradivari" or Stradivarius

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