All my students first learn the major keys with no sharps, then one sharp (G Major), two sharps (D Major), and three sharps (A Major). After that, before introducing the flat keys, we’ll review C Major and learn about 16th notes.
no.146: C Major scale (two octaves)
We’ve learned high C on the E string in no.109, which is the highest note you can play in the first position, using your little finger stretched. I wonder if you can play it any better than the first time you learned it? It is nice to review and get the sense of yourself improving. This C Major scale is now two octaves.
no.147-149: 16th notes
A 16th note is a note played for half the duration of an 8th note, in other words, a quarter duration of a quarter note. During the duration of one quarter note, you need to play four 16th notes. It is a short note in length, however, you do not have to rush at all especially at the beginning. First, try it at comfortable tempo and learn what is written in the music.
Once you learn the notes, then you can start thinking about playing them faster.
It is very common, at the very beginning, to rush or gradually speed up while one is playing the 16th notes, as well as not being able to play with the metronome. By trying to play with your teacher or the recording, you will be able to gradually get the sense of keeping the same tempo.
Some of the students cannot play fast at the beginning, so I use this opportunity to encourage them to play a little faster than before, which will open a new door to them.
Even though Mr. Shinozaki recommends this section to be “practiced using the wrist”, I would put more importance on getting the sense of playing the rhythm correctly. It is true that the relaxation of the wrist is extremely important and all the joints involved have to be working together in violin playing, but one should not worry too much about it, especially at this point, for the students who does not have extreme tension. Just follow your teacher’s guidance.
Introducing a metronome
I start introducing a metronome around this time at some lessons, showing mine to my students. Especially the students who are in elementary school get very interested in it.
student: “What is the slowest number on your metronome?”
“It is 30.”
student: “Why 30?”
“Well, maybe because it would be too slow going under 30.”
student: : “Yeah, it would be slower than a snail. The next click would be in one hour!!”
student: “What is the fastest number?”
“It is 252.”
I had some conversations like this during some lessons 🙂
Let’s practice together ! : introducing my recording
I included all the preparation Mr. Shinozaki wrote in small notes this time. Please pay attention and try them as well. Metronome marking is quarter note = 50 and A= 442. After learning the notes, please practice faster according to your teacher’s advice.
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Happy Practicing !
More article: Shinozaki Violin Method Vol. 1, no. 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169
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