Hey all of you violinists,

So there are a couple of people ages 9-12 that have asked me to teach them to play the violin. I am not exactly sure where to start and I don't want to start them out wrong. I have played for 5 years so it has been a little while since I started and I don't remember everything......
So if anyone has any advice for me that would b awesome!

Thanks

Lightning Gem

Well, if you aren't too sure if you can do it or not, its probably best to show them somebody else who can.

How many people asked you to teach them? If its alot, you probably want to charge some money since you are taking some of your free time away to teach.......If you are still in school, you should probably think it over a bit as the time you spend teaching them is less time for homework and other things you want to do.

Anyway, if you arent worried about those things, I guess you should just start by teaching them things like treble clef, what all the strings are, and their bow grip. After that, you can probably start with a few scales and a easy peice of music.

I hope this helped. ^^

maybe buy some fingertapes and put them on the strings in 1st position for the d major scale. This way it will be easier to get and tune once they get better take the tapes off.
but I agree w/ zippie if you are not sure about it tell them where they can find the person who first taught you, or someone else.

good luck

I'm a pianist, and I moved quite quickly, but it seems that I have a little obvious advice (I've been thinking of giving "Amateur" Piano Lessons at my school since some people say that I inspire them somehow. . .)

But what I would do (don't worry, it ralates to everything) is to buy some sort of Starter's Violin Book for the person around a relative age--> In your case, 9-12. I would, before giving your students the book/s, study them over and make sure that's what you want to teach them.

My teacher started me on piano with this really old starters book from 1905 (doesn't make a difference) and it really helped me grow within just a few short months.

Now, the book is something that your student will grasp a good thing for learning easy and simple songs with sheet music reading and early finger placements, and if the book is doing the technical, make sure you-the teacher-is giving all the emotional power, and also that extra nack of inspiration/motivation to keep them pursuing the instrument if they please!

Good luck! ^_^

2 people have asked me and I have been teaching my mom also. but there is only 1 violin teacher in my town and she already has a waiting list. as for homework I am homeschooled so I have plenty of free time so I don't mind. so yeah I will have to see wether I charge or not.... anyways thanks everyone and if anyone has anymore ideas to help keep lessons interesting for the person being taught that would help also!

Thanks

Even if you have alot of free time, you still should charge. You need to get something for taking time out of your schedule to teach. As for keeping things interesting, maybe you could let them pick the next song to learn if they do good on the one you pick for them. =P

once again Zippy I agree w/ you. Lightning should charge money. You'll regret it in a long run if you do all this work for free.

Ok thanks u guys! Maybe I will.......

Hey all of you violinists,

So there are a couple of people ages 9-12 that have asked me to teach them to play the violin. I am not exactly sure where to start and I don't want to start them out wrong. I have played for 5 years so it has been a little while since I started and I don't remember everything......
So if anyone has any advice for me that would b awesome!

Thanks

Lightning GemYeah, unless you're very confident with your ability don't do it. If you decide to do it, the best way to start is with a smile =D. At that age all you really need to do is teach them notes, hand positions, and scales, the rest they discover themselves through your guidance. When a positive and friendly work environment is provided they will grow confident in their own playing, then they can really blossom and you can begin to seriously teach them.

Well, first of all they need an instrument and proper equipment such as a case, rosin (sp?), shoulder rest, finger tapes, music stands, etc.

Start out with the very basics, so as how to hold a violin/bow, correct positions, and teach them the names of all the notes/stirngs. You need to teach them how to read music and some simple theory such as what sharps, flats, naturals, and all the other symbols mean.

Also (though I don't know if this appiles to violin too), but in piano, after people pass level 10 Certificate of Merit, they're certified to teach others how to play, though I highly doubt you reached that high in five years if you even do CM.

I hoped what I've said has helped.

If you get a beginners book.. like essential elements, you can teach them and also use that. You can be like " your homework is to do exercises 1-5" or something.

As for teaching them how to read music....I don't remember how I learned because I learned when I was like 5.... so do you have any ideas for teaching to read music? I don't do any of that leveling stuff. when I want to learn a song I look at it and decide weather or not I can play it......and if It looks like I can't, I try to play it anyways. LoL. I never did that for piano either . I had a very casual teacher. Yes I have all of my beginner books still so I do plan on using those.

LG

Remember the acryonims for trebel and bass:
Trebel:
Spaces- FACE (bottom up)
Lines- Every Good Boy Does Fine (EGBDF) (bottom up)

Bass:
Spaces- All Cows Eat Grass (ACEG) (bottom up)
Lines- Good Boys Do Fine Always (GBDFA) (bottom up)

Having them get a theory book always helps and is almost necessary. If YOU'RE not good on theory, I suggest you bone up on it too. By teaching theory as well as pieces, you provide them with skills they'll need for the future and it will make playing and sight reading a hell of a lot easier.