There is no "one size fits all" in violin instruction!
How I
teach
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individualize blueprint for success
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promote relaxation for ease of playing / artistry
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build technical foundation to support musical goals
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introduce practice strategies for effective self-correcting
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demonstrate how musicality leads to artistic expression
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replace mental roadblocks with constructive thinking
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answer all questions until content is understood
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celebrate accomplishments to grow confidence
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connect violin concepts to life skills
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reward curiosity with excitement
GOLDBERG VIOLIN
Priorities:
How they
learn
Kids often gravitate towards doing what is "easy." In the context of practicing violin, this implies that immediate gratification can overtake discipline. However, improvement requires that challenges be confronted, and by definition, challenges are not “easy!”
As a teacher, I must frequently think as a detective, trying to deduce what motivates and what frustrates. Looking out for mindsets like perfectionism and self-doubt, I re-frame "mistakes" as opportunities for learning, and I assign the goal: “Don’t make it perfect; make it better than it was before.” Lessons therefore act as a microcosm of everyday life, wherein healthy attitudes and coping mechanisms are discussed and reinforced.
Students must also master the art of practicing to succeed, which is essentially becoming one’s own best problem-solver. By learning how to correctly diagnose problems and implement learned strategies to solve them, students can conquer challenges before frustration deters them.
Students generally
ENJOY PRACTICING
as long as practicing leads to progress,
because it feels good to be successful!
It is my mission to help students face challenges head on, knowing that they can overcome the demands before them. Violin lessons serve as a forum where students find the power of their own voices, both literally and figuratively.
