Lesson postponement

I am currently dealing with all day morning sickness. In consequence, I will not be resuming lessons until November. New students can use Sept and Oct to purchase necessary supplies and assemble the box violin and stick bow.

Allergies

I do have a cat. She is usually outside during lessons.

Box Violin/Stick Bow

To see pictures, go to http://www.csus.edu/stringproject/instruments/making.htm.

How to Make a Box Violin
1. Find a box from cake mix, croutons, etc. Cut it down so that it measures approximately 6”x 6”x less than 2”. Size depends on the age of your child.
2. Make the violin neck out of a stick: A paint stir stick (Home Depot) works fine and they are free! Careful, the stick must be sturdy enough to sustain a child’s use and not give him/her slivers.
3. Make a small straight slice in the box, the width of the stick where you would insert the neck.
4. Glue the stick inside the box, inserting it about 3-4 inches. Use massive amounts of glue. Add tape inside the box.
5. Stuff the box with crumpled up newspapers. Make it quite sturdy and unsquashable, but not too heavy.
6. Using packing tape, close the end. Tape around the box in many places – width and length
7. Cover the box with construction paper, wrapping paper, etc. Individualize the box.
8. Tape everywhere. Any loose edges will get ripped off.
REMEMBER DURABILITY IS THE KEY!!
9. Hot glue a square of non-skid material under the box where it touches the shoulder.
10. Draw a flower or place a small sticker on the neck where it meets the body of the violin.

How to Make a Stick Bow
Buy 48” long 3/8” or 1/2” dowel and have the store cut it in half (or do it yourself).
Sand the ends of the stick to eliminate splinters and sharp edges.
Glue or tape a rectangular eraser (about 2” by 1”) about ½ an inch in from the end of the dowel.

Footchart
Cut one large piece of posterboard in half. Bring both rectangles to lesson. Once rest and playing positions have been drawn on the chart, find a way to fortify footchart, such as laminating.

Punctuality, Missed or Cancelled Lessons

Punctuality
Please arrive a few minutes before your lesson time in order to be ready to begin on time. No more than 5 minutes early.

Lesson Cancellations
24 hour notice by phone is required for lesson cancellations in order for a make up or reschedule to be possible. 24 hours means 24 hours. Not 9 o'clock at night the day before. I won't hold you to the minute. If you know a few days in advance that a conflict is upcoming, you can email or call. Less than 24 hour notice means I am not required to make up the lesson. However, if I can conveniently do it, I will.

No Show
A No Show is when I receive no communication (phone or email) from the parent/guardian before, during or after a scheduled lesson. I consider this extremely rude and irresponsible. It is also poor example to the student of fulfilling with obligations and respecting the time and efforts of others. Please just call. Obviously, a No Show results in no makeup lesson. You are out the money.

Suzuki Method/Suggested Reading

I'd recommend the book Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki.
It is only 107 pages. You can order it at http://www.suzukiassociation.org/ from the Store. Or at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.com. I checked store availability for Borders and B&N. Neither had it in-stock.

I lent out the only copy I owned. It was never returned.

For more information, email yatesbymarriage@gmail.com

Ages Accepted/Commitment

I take students ages 3 and up. And I do mean up. I do take serious teenagers and adults.
Please only signup yourself or your child if you have time to practice. If this is something you would like to do or would like your child to do, make it a priority.
With children, I am mostly concerned with the commitment level of the parent. I will teach any child, but it is up to the parent to apply the full program of consistent listening, practicing, praise and enthusiasm at home the rest of the week.
At some point something will be difficult and the child will say that violin isn't fun anymore. The parent needs to decide from the beginning whether that statement will mean the end of lessons or pressing forward with practice and perhaps asking the teacher for help or advice. Normally, if listening and practicing are being done, there is success. Success is fun.

For more information, email yatesbymarriage@gmail.com

Expected Practice

This depends on the age of the student and how advanced he or she is. Beginners, especially young ones, should only practice a few minutes at a time. However, they should practice several times a day. As concentration grows, practices will become longer. Consistency is of vital importance. A child that practices once a week for three hours will not create ability. The child that practices a half hour or forty five minutes 5-7 days a week will be able to build memory and abilities and have consistent progress.

For more information, email yatesbymarriage@gmail.com