Northwestern University
Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation
Northwestern University

Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

22,660 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Stacia Spencer

Instructor: Stacia Spencer

4.7

(201 reviews)

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

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Assessments

8 quizzes

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There are 10 modules in this course

Welcome to Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation! We will begin by covering leading philosophies and pedagogical theories about teaching children the violin and viola. The beginning stages will cover the child’s setup, posture and first left hand techniques.

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 quiz

To introduce the use of the right hand, we start by creating a “pinky house” for the child’s bow. We delve further into the violin setup and positioning through various creative exercises.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 quiz

Now we get to put it all together by slowly incorporating the different movements of the right and left hand through four different pieces.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 quiz

After good setup and posture have been established, we start teaching the fundamentals through elementary pieces in the key of A Major. We also get to learn our first scale!

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 quiz1 peer review

To transition to using the full bow, we introduce the “adult “ bow hold and a series of exercises to extend the bow stroke. Pieces include Long, Long Ago, O Come, Little Children, and Butterfly, Flutterby.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 quiz

We can now introduce the key of D Major. Students learn the D major scale along with pieces such as Bach Musette and Hushabye Lullaby.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 quiz

When we progress to the G Major scale and arpeggio, we start adding etudes and more advanced technical concepts. Pieces covered include Minuet and Happy Farmer.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 quiz

To teach note reading, we will cover the best-practice teaching techniques for note reading and vibrato. We will also explore group teaching, group games, and group dynamics.

What's included

8 videos1 reading

Now that our students are getting more advanced, we can begin to cover our favorite exercises for the older student. Exercises include "Poof Bow" and the "Invisible Violin."

What's included

5 videos1 reading1 quiz1 peer review

In our final segment, we will learn from top pedagogues Mimi Zweig and Roland and Almita Vamos in a master class setting.

What's included

2 videos1 reading

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (22 ratings)
Stacia Spencer
Northwestern University
1 Course22,660 learners

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Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

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4.7

201 reviews

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