Music choices to advance a student

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Torosian on October 16, 2009 at 10:39am

Well, I'd ask him to pick music from some of his favorite movies, just to keep things interesting while you decide what serious repetoire to work on next. Then try and give him a list of major composers in different eras of music to listen to, maybe find a new style that's he's not familiar with. Or, since you said he likes fiddle music best, have him listen to fiddlers in whatever genre of fiddle he plays most often, and try some ear training. Google is marvelous!

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Smith on October 21, 2009 at 8:13am

Thanks, Kelly, for your help. I can't ask this particular student about movies because they are homeschooled and television is limited. Movies are pretty much chosen by the Mom but they have a large listening library of music. I was just looking for more direction with his studies. He has found a piece of music on "freeplaymusic.com" on an album called Worldmix Vol. 1 called Clearing A that he would like to perform but I can't get my hands on the written music and don't have a clue where to search for it. I've asked Southwest Strings and they don't know either. I've decided to make a list of "mastery" skills that I feel students need to accomplish (it includes theory) and to check into subscribing to a service like SmartMusic that can provide more written music for my students to play. Wish me luck!


Kelly Torosian said:

Well, I'd ask him to pick music from some of his favorite movies, just to keep things interesting while you decide what serious repetoire to on next. Then try and give him a list of major composers in different eras of music to listen to, maybe find a new style that's he's not familiar with. Or, since you said he likes fiddle music best, have him listen to fiddlers in whatever genre of fiddle he plays most often, and try some ear training. Google is marvelous!

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Torosian on October 27, 2009 at 10:06am

What's SmartMusic? I haven't heard of it before.

Theresa Smith said:

Thanks, Kelly, for your help. I can't ask this particular student about movies because they are homeschooled and television is limited. Movies are pretty much chosen by the Mom but they have a large listening library of music. I was just looking for more direction with his studies. He has found a piece of music on "freeplaymusic.com" on an album called Worldmix Vol. 1 called Clearing A that he would like to perform but I can't get my hands on the written music and don't have a clue where to search for it. I've asked Southwest Strings and they don't know either. I've decided to make a list of "mastery" skills that I feel students need to accomplish (it includes theory) and to check into subscribing to a service like SmartMusic that can provide more written music for my students to play. Wish me luck!


Kelly Torosian said:

Well, I'd ask him to pick music from some of his favorite movies, just to keep things interesting while you decide what serious repetoire to on next. Then try and give him a list of major composers in different eras of music to listen to, maybe find a new style that's he's not familiar with. Or, since you said he likes fiddle music best, have him listen to fiddlers in whatever genre of fiddle he plays most often, and try some ear training. Google is marvelous!

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Smith on October 29, 2009 at 8:31am

Kelly,
Smartmusic.com is a place you can join and your students can join off you. It has lots of sheet music they can play from and hear it played. Sheet music costs me so much I'm hoping that between the selections they offer and the savings, it will pay for itself.
Theresa Smith


Kelly Torosian said:

What's SmartMusic? I haven't heard of it before.

Theresa Smith said:

Thanks, Kelly, for your help. I can't ask this particular student about movies because they are homeschooled and television is limited. Movies are pretty much chosen by the Mom but they have a large listening library of music. I was just looking for more direction with his studies. He has found a piece of music on "freeplaymusic.com" on an album called Worldmix Vol. 1 called Clearing A that he would like to perform but I can't get my hands on the written music and don't have a clue where to search for it. I've asked Southwest Strings and they don't know either. I've decided to make a list of "mastery" skills that I feel students need to accomplish (it includes theory) and to check into subscribing to a service like SmartMusic that can provide more written music for my students to play. Wish me luck!


Kelly Torosian said:

Well, I'd ask him to pick music from some of his favorite movies, just to keep things interesting while you decide what serious repetoire to on next. Then try and give him a list of major composers in different eras of music to listen to, maybe find a new style that's he's not familiar with. Or, since you said he likes fiddle music best, have him listen to fiddlers in whatever genre of fiddle he plays most often, and try some ear training. Google is marvelous!

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Permalink Reply by Diane Allen on December 13, 2009 at 9:38am

I like the Barbara Barber Solos for Young Violinists
Sitt Etudes Bk 2 for positions
Hrimaly Scale Studies go from 1st postion scales and build to 3 octave scales

Good Luck!
Diane Allen
www.myviolinvideos.com

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Smith on December 13, 2009 at 9:25pm

Thanks so much, Diane, for the input. I had never used the Sitt Etudes but I'm using numerous others. I think I've decided to use Smartmusic.com to advance my students and I've started them on a vigorous theory study program along with a mastery list to keep this particular student on track. He loves music and really wants to master his instrument and I'm proud that he's making the effort and that there are so many willing to assist me with how to get him there. Thanks again for your input!

Theresa Smith


Diane Allen said:

I like the Barbara Barber Solos for Young Violinists
Sitt Etudes Bk 2 for positions
Hrimaly Scale Studies go from 1st postion scales and build to 3 octave scales

Good Luck!
Diane Allen
www.myviolinvideos.com

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Permalink Reply by Ruth Brons on March 4, 2010 at 5:27pm

Yes, I am a HUGE fan of SmartMusic too. And the subscription pricing a much simpler than it used to be -- just a simple fee per computer per year. For this student, you can really raid the SmartMusic string and full orchestra library for exploring different styles and for sightreading.

As for more serious diet of repertoire, scales and etudes, for any student, a good resource is the ASTA CAP [American String Teacher's Association Certificate Advancement Program] graded repertoire lists.

Ruth Brons
Inventor of Bow Hold Buddies[tm] Instant Bow Hold bow accessory for violin/viola, and
CelloPhant[tm] Instant Bow Hold bow accessory for cello
www.things4strings.com

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