I hope everyone has a wonderful summer! If you are signed up for summer lessons, remember that next week you will be with Ivan for your lesson since I will be out of town, and then back with me for the rest of the summer!

Olivia – congratulations on finishing Go the Distance!
– Recommended practice time: 30 min/day, 5 days/week
– Practice: Review 2-octave Major and minor scales (try to memorise fingering patterns for each scale, and focus on E Major and F Major shifts to fourth and fifth position), Spring (watch out for intonation in first two sections as it tends to be a little flat, and practice bowing in 2s for the brook section), and see if there’s anything you’d like to add to our Zero to Hero arrangement!

Amaia – I am so proud of all the progress you have made on the violin, as well as your focus and dedication to your playing!
– Recommended practice time: 15 min/day, 5 days/week
– Practice: G, D, and A Major scales (1 octave, doing our usual posture and bow hold check each time before playing), and Perpetual Motion (play fourth finger exercises 0-1-2-3-4-3-2-1-0 on each string, and practice playing through without stopping and with a faster tempo).

Grace – missed you today! I hope you have a wonderful summer and I am so proud of all that you accomplished!
– Recommended practice time: 30 min/day, 5 days/week
– Practice: 2-octave Major and minor scales (focus on scales with shifts – the higher you go, the smaller the spaces between your fingers), Waltz (try not to slow down in grace note section and add dynamics) and Bouree (play through slowly and get familiar with the notes).

Hendry – missed you today! I hope you feel better soon and I will see you in 2 weeks!
– Recommended practice time: 30 min/day, 5 days/week
– Practice: C, D, E-flat, E, F, and G Major scales (2 octaves, doing our usual posture and bow hold check each time before playing, and stretching fourth finger in E Major going up and going down the scale), D minor scale (2 octaves – natural, melodic, harmonic), A Major scale (1 octave, open positions with high 3 on G and D strings), Gavotte (aim a little higher for shift to third position in second section, and stretch pinky finger to keep fourth finger A from being too flat).

Thank you, stay safe, and happy playing!