Comments on: spring odds and ends http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/ Thu, 24 May 2012 00:31:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lilian http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/comment-page-1/#comment-81772 Lilian Fri, 09 May 2008 18:07:09 +0000 http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/#comment-81772 I know nothing about violin since I chose to play the flute instead (after piano, of course)... but I do recommend piano classes, particularly with the new methods they have nowadays (Alfred's is a WINNER). I've begun to teach piano in the past year and I'm amazed at how quickly kids and adults alike progress with t he new books. I'm sorry you still don't know whether you'll move or not. I can totally sympathize because of our slightly unstable situation (there's still the possibility that K could be laid off again! :-( ). Anyway, thanks for your latest comment, I had no idea you were reading me and it was a big surprise! :-) I know nothing about violin since I chose to play the flute instead (after piano, of course)… but I do recommend piano classes, particularly with the new methods they have nowadays (Alfred’s is a WINNER). I’ve begun to teach piano in the past year and I’m amazed at how quickly kids and adults alike progress with t he new books.

I’m sorry you still don’t know whether you’ll move or not. I can totally sympathize because of our slightly unstable situation (there’s still the possibility that K could be laid off again! :-( ).

Anyway, thanks for your latest comment, I had no idea you were reading me and it was a big surprise! :-)

]]> By: Kikilia http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/comment-page-1/#comment-81769 Kikilia Fri, 09 May 2008 17:24:45 +0000 http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/#comment-81769 I've an aunt who is a music teacher/professor. She said start piano then move on to other instruments. The optimum age (iho) is 8 unless the child can already read fluently. Good luck! I’ve an aunt who is a music teacher/professor. She said start piano then move on to other instruments. The optimum age (iho) is 8 unless the child can already read fluently.

Good luck!

]]> By: Annie Malie http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/comment-page-1/#comment-81760 Annie Malie Fri, 09 May 2008 13:59:11 +0000 http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/#comment-81760 Start piano anyway. Kids who play piano learn treble and bass clef as well as music theory and chords from really early on. I always regret not taking piano lessons earlier. Ignore A's violin bias. Start piano anyway.

Kids who play piano learn treble and bass clef as well as music theory and chords from really early on. I always regret not taking piano lessons earlier. Ignore A’s violin bias.

]]> By: Tobi http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/comment-page-1/#comment-81752 Tobi Fri, 09 May 2008 11:13:03 +0000 http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/#comment-81752 I taught Suzuki violin for 10 years and had both right and left handed students. If anything, as Kanuck mentioned, lefties might have an advantage in learning the left hand fingering skills. The more significant factor for students being successful is consistency in attending lessons and practicing, and in having parents who reinforce that consistency during the time between lessons. I taught Suzuki violin for 10 years and had both right and left handed students. If anything, as Kanuck mentioned, lefties might have an advantage in learning the left hand fingering skills.

The more significant factor for students being successful is consistency in attending lessons and practicing, and in having parents who reinforce that consistency during the time between lessons.

]]> By: Islay http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/comment-page-1/#comment-81751 Islay Fri, 09 May 2008 10:49:22 +0000 http://american-family.org/2008/05/09/spring-odds-and-ends/#comment-81751 I've played violin for nigh-on fifteen years now, and though I'm right handed, I would say that it reay doesn't matter what hand is your dominant one - in fact, being left handed may actualy be an advantage, at least at first, because it is your left hand that does the fingering. Your right arm - the bow arm - is far LESS important, tuning wise. If anything, I would say that piano would be harder to learn (I was taught piano for a ood few years too, and largely sucked at it). I found it REALLY difficult, because I'm so strongly right-handed, to learn to manipulate both hands to do such similar things. Somehow, the violin was easier because each hand had a significantly different task, and only the left hand was responsible for tuning. I’ve played violin for nigh-on fifteen years now, and though I’m right handed, I would say that it reay doesn’t matter what hand is your dominant one – in fact, being left handed may actualy be an advantage, at least at first, because it is your left hand that does the fingering. Your right arm – the bow arm – is far LESS important, tuning wise. If anything, I would say that piano would be harder to learn (I was taught piano for a ood few years too, and largely sucked at it). I found it REALLY difficult, because I’m so strongly right-handed, to learn to manipulate both hands to do such similar things. Somehow, the violin was easier because each hand had a significantly different task, and only the left hand was responsible for tuning.

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