Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation

In a practical 10-session format, Creating a Healthy Foundation presents a holistic approach to beginning violin and viola pedagogy, offering both new and seasoned string teachers a step-by-step exercise guide and repertoire that will have students looking and sounding terrific.

About the Course

Join us as we explore the fundamental principles and early stages of teaching violin and viola through a series of engaging video lectures and lesson demonstrations, including:

• Master classes with some of the world’s top string pedagogues

• Individual lesson demos of teaching violin/viola set up, left and right hand technique and pieces from the early violin/viola repertoire

• Group lesson demos of teaching music theory, ear training and fun activities that encourage good playing habits

• A “field trip” to the violin shop, where we will outfit a new beginning student with a proper instrument and bow

You’ll also engage in a series of discussions and reflections with colleagues and peers across the globe. Upon completion of this course, we hope you’ll return to your studio with confidence, a new curriculum, and a renewed approach to sharing with your students the joyful experience of making beautiful music.

Session One: Beginning Stages
Leading philosophies and pedagogical theories for teaching children the violin

Session Two: Bow Arm and Hand
Violin setup and positioning

Session Three: Putting It All Together
Putting the violin and bow together

Session Four: Pieces in the Key of A Major
Teaching fundamentals via beginner pieces in the key of A Major

Session Five: Playing with the Whole Bow
Playing with the whole bow, and the "Adult" bow hold position

Session Six: Pieces in the Key of D Major
Pieces include "Long, Long, Ago," and "Butterfly, Flutterby"

Session Seven: Pieces in the Key of G Major
Pieces include "Minuet in G" and "The Happy Farmer"

Session Eight: Note Reading, Vibrato, and the Group Class
Best-practice teaching techniques for note reading, group dynamics, and beginning vibrato.

Session Nine: Favorite Exercises for the Older Student
Exercises include "Poof Bow" and the "Invisible Violin"

Session Ten: The Master Class
Learn from top pedagogues Mimi Zweig and Roland and Almita Vamos.