Children Children's Violin Lessons: Facts & Ideas facts and ideas

 

• The violin is the smallest member of the violin family which also includes the viola, cello and double bass.
• The word violin comes from the Medieval Latin word ‘vitula’, meaning stringed instrument.
• It was first developed in the early 1500s in northern Italy.
• A violin is usually made from spruce (a light but strong softwood) and maple (a hardwood). A person who makes and repairs violins is called a luthier.
• The fingerboard of a violin is made of ebony although on old violins these were often made from ivory.
• The strings of a violin were originally made of gut but now are made from metal.
• The hair of the bow is traditionally made from horse hair but on cheaper instruments this is replaced by synthetic material. The hair must be rubbed with rosin (pine sap resin) to make the hair sticky and therefore grip the strings. Without this grip the hair would slide straight over the string and no sound would be heard!
• The violin only has 4 strings G D A and E.
• The chin rest wasn’t introduced until the 1800s.
• The famous Suzuki Method of teaching the violin amazed everyone when it first arrived from Japan 20 years ago. It showed that children can learn the violin from as young as 3 years old.
• The 1741 Vieuxtemps Guarneri is thought to be the world’s most expensive violin. For sale in 2010, the asking price was US $18 million!
• The world’s smallest violin is only 37 mm long! That’s smaller than a newborn baby’s foot!!
• Playing the violin burns about 170 calories/hour! 

 

What should you be thinking about to help you choose the right violin teacher for your child?

• Does your child want to play the violin ‘just for fun’ or would they like to take exams? Can the teacher accommodate either of these?
• Do you have to buy a violin for your child straight away or are instruments available to borrow short term until you and your child are sure they want to continue with lessons? If you are buying an instrument for your child remember to ask the teacher for advice first.
• Do you need to buy music books or are these included in the price of the lessons? Do these need to be purchased in advance?
• Do you have to commit to booking a term of lessons or can you pay half-termly?

 

 

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music – an internationally recognised education body based in London that provides examinations in music. 

Trinity Guildhall -Trinity College London 

LCM Examinations – a department of the London College of Music within the University of West London. 

The National College of Music- specialises in external examinations in music and speech subjects in centres throughout the UK and in some countries overseas.

 

Qualifications/grades - children

Graded music examinations; Grades 1–8, practical and theory.

Qualifications of tutors/coaches etc

There is no minimum qualification required to teach music at home. However, passing grade 8 practical and at least grade 5 theory will indicate an acceptable level of competence regarding playing ability and musical knowledge. A Music Degree would be advantageous.

 

• Fine motor skills
• Rhythm
• Focus
• Concentration
• Memory
• Discipline
• Relaxing
• Calming

Playing the violin is relaxing, improves co-ordination, concentration and self-discipline.

There are many chances to play the violin in groups. Every orchestra has a violin section and practising with other children is more fun and improves a child’s social skills. Performing in front of others, while daunting at first, can gradually increase a child’s confidence and this skill can be transferred to many other situations, for example, presenting projects in school, reading aloud in class, taking part in school performances, etc.

 

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) – The Physicist who won a Nobel Prize in 1921, known for his theories of relativity and gravitation played the piano and the violin.

Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) - The most Academy Award nominated actress who is known from her roles in memorable films like Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie's Choice plays the violin.

To portray Sherlock in the BBC's series, Benedict Cumberbatch (born July 19, 1976) had to play the violin – but didn't know how. Violinist (from string quartet ‘Bond’) Eos Chater was hired to coach him.

Vanessa Mae (Born in Singapore on October 27, 1978) started studying the violin when she was just 5 years old. At the age of 10 she performed with London's Philharmonic Orchestra. By 13 years old she had already recorded and released 3 albums. Vanessa Mae helped make the violin seem more accessible and familiar to a younger audience as she successfully fused classical music with pop.

 

Dhanat Plewtianyingthawee started violin lessons at 3 ½ years old. This video was taken of him at 4 years and 4 months!

3yr old violinist, Akim Camara!