Let me blow the dust off my keyboard and begin by telling you, “Hello!” Yes, I realize it’s been 4 months since I last posted, but I’m a mommy first and foremost and summer break happened. My family played, worked, hiked, practiced, cleaned, gardened, traveled, weeded, practiced, and cleaned some more. Not to mention my daughter’s Tibia Avulsion Break has kicked us all in the pants. Preteens and pain don’t exactly match. So, along with all the above mentioned activities, there was also a large dose of doctor visits, ice wraps, physical therapy, a 2nd surgery, hospital stays, and some heavy eye ..read more

This is the 3rd and final video in our bow hand mini series. We have focused on the shape of our bow hand and the flexibility needed in our bow hand. Today we will focus on the balance while still maintaining the softness discussed in the second video and the proper form discussed in the first video.  Someone once told me that they loved the violin because it is such an intimate, personal, expressive, and vulnerable instrument to play. I couldn't agree more. This mini lesson helps violinists focus on finding true physical and internal balance in their right hand. When it comes to hol ..read more

As promised here's part 2 of our bow hand mini series. This video focuses on the flexibility of your bow hand. After you get the shape of your hand how you want it, it's important to make sure your hand remains soft, and flexible. This will help you to achieve a beautiful smooth and fluid sound, and avoid hand and wrist injuries. These tips and exercises will help you do just that!  If you like this video and want to see more tutorials like this one, let us know. Like the video, the blog post, or share on social media! Also, check out our other bow hand how-to's, games, and techniques to ..read more

So, I'm pretty excited to be the first one (only one actually, unless my husband leaked to the press) to tell you about our new violin how-to bow hand mini series! Wow, that's a mouthful, or in my case a fingerful, especially since I'm so excited I can barely type right now.  This mini series consists of 3 episodes of short (5 minute) violin lessons specifically geared towards holding the bow. I will be releasing one per week for the next three weeks and then they will all be archived permanently in our soon to be renovated how-to pages for easy access. If you like this video and wan ..read more

You know those weekends that everything bad seems to be happening all at once? Yep, I just had one of those weekends. Our chicken named Hey Hey died on Saturday and I had to deal with a very mad and sad 3 year old over her loss. A couple hours later my daughter broke her leg and needs surgery. Then I got a telephone call that a beloved family relation has been taken to the ER and was being placed on hospice. Just when you think nothing else could go wrong....suddenly something goes very right and it helps just a little to brighten your otherwise very gloomy day. Amidst all the stress, and ..read more

Some kids grow up with posters of famous movie stars hanging on their wall or famous athlete clothing stuffed in their drawers. Me, I grew up a closet groupie for Itzhak Perlman. I say closet not because I was ashamed or hid it but because none of my other nine year old friends knew who he was. I also loved cauliflower, I had very mature tastes for my age. I guess I could've printed off a picture onto iron-on-paper and made my own cool Perlman Rocks shirt, but we were just discovering google back then, so I couldn't search images and I rarely saw any pictures except for on the C.D. jackets an ..read more

Five Concertos Every Beginner Violinist Can and Should Play! Shop for the Best Violin Concertos for Beginners Concertos From My Childhood (2CD) By Itzhak Perlman So, my daughter who has been playing for a couple of years is playing well enough that she has been able to start doing some concertos. I love it, and am on a concerto kick right now. Well, it got me thinking, "Could I come up with a list of the top five best violin concertos for beginners?" And the answer is....YOU BET! It wasn't a simple task because I was VERY PICKY! They needed to be pieces that a beginner who k ..read more

What's better then a really fun Easter party? How about a really fun Easter party with violin Easter games and music. This mother and teacher says yes please! So.....confession time; my kids have never had a friend birthday party, the Elf doesn't sit on our shelf, and magical leprechauns never leave foot prints and gold sparkles leading to a pot of chocolate gold at our house. I really try hard to avoid those perfect looking cakes and birthday themed ideas when perusing Pinterest. They just leave me feeling like a pathetic mom. I'm lucky when my kids get 3 square meals, their practi ..read more

Are you wanting to bring more music theory into lesson time and home practice for your beginner violinists, heartbeat rhythm is a great way to do just that! If you follow my blog you know that right now I'm on a huge music theory kick!  Here's a fun and easy idea that helps students develop a sense of beat and teaches how rhythm relates to the beat. I've done similar versions over the past decade but recently started using 'heartbeats' after seeing it done by a couple of online music colleagues. I have liked using the heartbeat because kids quickly latch onto the idea that the heartbeat s ..read more

Violin Game Music Theory Fun This yummy violin game makes music theory and note learning fun! As the music theory obsession continues at our house we are discovering the many fun ways to learn violin music theory and one of our favorites is this skittle game. My kids will play this anytime I let them. Of course, the skittles are a huge motivator in playing, but they also really enjoy the game. It's one that all levels can play and benefit from. This violin game helps teach players the names of notes and where those notes are on the violin.  How to Play Just follow the links I've pro ..read more