Layug String Studio provides instruction from foundational up to advanced intermediate levels. Below are listed each level’s content objectives and core repertoire. The final link is a detailed repertoire sequence.
Level 1: Foundations (First lesson-early Suzuki 1)
- Basic instrument care
- Tall, supported violin posture
- Secure, relaxed, and curved bow hand
- Balanced violin arm and “straight-line” wrist
- Strong, clear tone in long bows and short bows
- Introduction to dynamics and styles
- Accurate finger placement for basic intonation
- Ear-finger connection
- Basic major scale pattern, including “theory” of scale construction and basic intervals
- Confident reading of notes on D, A, and E string, as well as eighth, quarter, half, and whole rhythms
Core Repertoire
- Blue Book of Violin Tunes or O’Connor Violin Method bk 1
- Suzuki 1+CD
- Freddie Fiddle and Betty Bow (optional)
- Adult beginners may follow a slightly different path, using the Essential Elements, or Doflein books rather than Suzuki in the early levels. At later levels the paths will blend.
Level 2: Beginner (Late Suzuki 1-Suzuki 2; Solos for the Young Violinist bk 1)
Skills
- Continued refinement of violin position as student grows
- Development of slurs and fluent bow use throughout the whole bow
- Progressions of dynamics, style, and early development of phrasing
- Especial attention to violin arm/hand use as we extend to all strings and many different finger patterns
- Development of accurate intonation in many keys
- Confident reading of all notes and accidentals, dotted and tied rhythms, and 16th notes
- 2-octave scales and arpeggios: G major, A major, Bb major, and C major mastered; g, a, and d minor scales introduced (including “theory” of major/minor relationships)
- Beginning shifting and possibly vibrato introduced
Core Repertoire
- Suzuki books 1-2 and/or O’Connor books 1 and 2
- Solos for Young Violinists book 1 (Barber)
- Violin Technique: How to Master (Lecher)
Level 3: Transitional Intermediate (Suzuki 3- Suzuki 4; Solos bk 1-2 )
Skills
- Continued attention to basic posture and techniques
- Complete mastery of intonation in first position
- Shifting technique mastered; comfort acquired in second and third positions; higher positions begin to be explored
- Vibrato developed, especially arm vibrato
- Development of bow techniques such as martele, bariolage bowing, various kinds of staccato
- Early double stops developed
- Mastery of 2-octave major scales and arpeggios up to 5 #/b; mastery of g, a, b, c, d, and e minor scales and arpeggios; 3-octave scales and arpeggios begun
- “Theory” of key relationships and intervals further developed
- Ability to comfortably and accurately sightread any piece within their level
- A multitude of musical styles explored; students are developing not only control but purposefulness in determining dynamics, styles, phrasing, and tone coloring.
Core Repertoire
- Suzuki books 3-4
- Solos for Young Violinists bk 1-2 (Barber)
- Violin Technique: How to Master (Lecher)
- Opt: O’Connor books
- Opt: Introducing the Positions (Whistler)
- Opt: Fun With Solos (Avsharian)
- Opt: introductory student concerti
Level 4: Advancing Intermediate (Student level to early “performance level” concert repertoire)
Skills
- Refinement of foundational technique, as needed
- Ease and mastery in navigating first 5 positions; begin extending to higher positions
- Refining and perfecting of bow techniques, especially off-string and arpeggiated bowings
- Increasing coordination of fast passagework
- Double stops, especially octaves and 3rds, developed
- Arm and hand vibrato are developed and adaptable to various styles3 octave major and minor scales and arpeggios
- Growing fluency in reading above the staff, as well as more and more complex rhythms
- Tone and stylistic playing are further refined and mastered; the student should be developing their own sense of style
Core Repertoire
- Suzuki books 4-7
- Solos for Young Violinists books 2-4 (Barber)
- Violin Technique: How to Master (Lecher)
- Various other technical and concert literature
Updated August 2016
Layug String Studio 