Learning to play a String Instrument 101
Arts Celebration Day
March 10, 2012
The Grand Plan
Introduction to String Instruments: Arik Hopson
Learn from your student
Mini- performance: Cripple Creek
Question and answer
Violin for Beginners
By:
Arik Keegan HopsonThe complete slide show for
violin.
Step 1:NOTES
There are 4 strings. They play notes. E string plays the E note. A string plays the A note. D string plays the D note. G string plays the G note.
E is the highest, A is the second highest, D is the second lowest, and G is the lowest.
E
G D
A
Viola and Cello strings: A stringD stringG stringC string
THE BOW
NOTES (continued) THE VIOLIN
Step 2:BODY MOTION
Feel the beat. Go with the flow. You’re no pro at this and neither are we. If you make a mistake, don’t stop, play the next notes. Practice makes almost perfect; determination finishes it up. Feel the music and dance while playing.
Soon you’ll blossom like a flower and be a star!
You can achieve any thing with courage, bravery, determination, focus, and practice. Sheet music too, because you need to know the notes for the song you’re playing. YOU’LL BE A STAR!
Now it’s
your turn
to learn…
What is this called?
Introduce one new part at a time-Scroll
-Bridge
-Pegs
-Neck
-f-holes
-Fingerboard
-Fine tuners
**Violin/viola: chin rest
**Cello: endpin
Review game: Around the World
How do you hold it?
Violin/viola:– Rest position– Feet position– Circle up
Cello– Rest position– Feet, knees, back, sternum
How do I make a sound?
“Pizzicato” = Pluck the string Arco = Use the bow
**Today, we are only going to pizzicato, not arco**
Introduce your parent to Fingerboard
Fred: what he likes and what he does
not like
Follow the Leader
Help your parent learn the open strings by playing a quick game of Follow the Leader
For example:
I play: D D A
Mom plays: D D A
--------------------------
Mom plays: G D A
I play: G D A
Violin:
E A DG
Violin:
E A DG
Viola/Cello:
A DG C
Try playing this song: The D-A-D Stomp
A: D A D(Stomp)
A: D A D(Stomp)
B: D D A A
A: D A D(Stomp)
How do I change notes on the D string?
Violin/Viola:
1st finger = E
2nd finger = F#
3rd finger = G
Cello:
1st finger = E
3rd finger = F#
4th finger = G
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: ABA
A: D D A A B B A-----
G G F# F# E E D-----
____________________________________________________
B: A A G G F# F# G-----
A A G G F# F# G-----
____________________________________________________
A: D D A A B B A-----
G G F# F# E E D-----
Mini- performance
Cripple Creek
This is a traditional fiddle
tune we are learning
Questions, anyone?
Thank you for coming today and also for supporting your child’s music
education!