How to stay afloatI have found that maintaining a creative outlet has saved me on many occasions. We don’t really have very much control over life in general. There can be ups and downs in both our personal lives, at work and in our careers. Having that creative spark buoys
Blog Archives
More on “the Gap”
Getting in the Gap is a short book written by Dr.Wayne W. Dyer about Japa which is a form of meditation practiced in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism.1 In Japa meditation, the name of the divine is repeated throughout the day even while doing daily activities. Dyer presents it as
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Journey into the gap
Why meditateI’m learning more and more about how important it is to have some form of meditating in my life. Having a meditation practice facilitates both physical and mental health. I also believe that It provides an opening for more creativity and the manifesting of dreams and desires. Why journeyI
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What the future holds/My hero
What the future holdsI’m on the verge of making a major life change. Some actions cannot be undone. My life will be permanently changed. What does the future hold for me? But life still goes on. Ordinary tasks still need to be accomplished during this most transformative time. Music is
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One
The challenge of OneThe end of the school year brings such a busy time. There are concerts to perform, graduations to attend, students to grade, plans for the summer to make and parties to attend. At the same time, the beautiful spring weather calls me outside. It is challenging to
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Why do your listening?
Why listen?When I took my first Suzuki teacher training course, it was remarkable to me how much emphasis was placed on listening. Over the years, so much care has gone into having the world’s greatest violinists record the entire repertoire, Pre-twinkle through Volume 10. Listening not only assists in internalizing
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Speaking your truth with color
Creating color in your violin playing begins with desire. You have to be engaged enough in your music to create the need for a particular sound. Sure, interpretation and style will point you in the right direction. But you also have to want to connect deeply with your piece and
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Dynamics and balance at Suzuki Volume 3 level
Sensing volume of soundWhen working on dynamics with young students I spend time expanding the range of their overall volume of sound. The process of creating dynamic contrast involves being able to hear how much sound is coming out of one’s instrument, interpreting dynamic markings, and having the bow technique
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Partnering with your music through music theory
A deeper connectionAs students become more advanced, it is important for them to study music theory. Understanding the basics of notation, harmony and voice leading creates a deeper connection with the music. This “partnership” with their pieces helps students improve intonation, rhythm, tempo control, memorization and can even ease performance
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Guidelines for teaching violin lessons
Standards for violin teachingThere are standards concerning ethical practices and quality of work for most professional fields. Accept for teachers who participate in college level string pedagogy classes or teacher training programs provided by organizations such as the American String Teachers Association or the Suzuki Association of the Americas, standards
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