SUZUKI BOOK ONE CHECK LIST

CONTENTS (Organized by Topic)

• Bow Arm
  • Tension Free Playing
  • Bow Definitions
  • String Crossings
  • Bow Divisions
• Left Hand Teaching
  • Finger Patterns
  • Scales
  • Vibrato
• Theory and Ear-Training
  • Rhythms
  • Note Reading of Pitches
  • Intervals and Chords
  • Musical Symbols
  • Musical Terms

The Pre-Twinkle Check List and the Check Lists for Books One and Two have multiple purposes.  They can be used:

• Before presenting the material giving an overview of what will be covered
• During the course of teaching the material
• After completing the material to verify that all the topics and concepts have been covered.  

By the end of Book One all the following topics have been taught, but not necessarily absorbed.  Over the next months/years these physical and mental challenges can be mastered with patience and with the many repetitions that are necessary for the development of the musical and expressive young player.

BOW ARM

Book One introduces the student to the basic right hand bowing techniques that set the foundation for future playing.  Development of a good bow arm begins with and is based on the martele, detache, and legato strokes. The art of bowing is a life-long search for a beautiful, expressive and focused tone.  The goals for the end of Book One are a flexible bow arm and an elementary understanding of bow division.

Tension Free Playing

During the course of each lesson (and forever more!), it is important for the teacher to check that the student is playing with natural physical ease, with motions free from tension.  The teacher remains aware of the following:

• Lengthening of the body
• Shoulders down
• Relaxed arms
• Fluid ball and socket joints in both arms
• Head loose with a relaxed jaw
• Teeth not clenched together
• Loose tongue
• Right thumb not pressing up on the bow
• Relaxation of left hand fingers after playing

Go to Volume Two, Topic I

Bow Definitions

The student will be familiar with the concepts and appropriate use of these bow strokes in the repertoire:  (Bow Stroke Link)

• Martele
• Detache
• Legato
• Slur

String Crossings

• Is the student using the upper arm?  
• Is the ball and socket joint moving freely during the string crossings?
• Is this resulting in smooth string crossings?
• (AEA, See Saw, Etude, Minuets I and II)

Bow Division 

Bow Speeds

• Same amount of bow, varying speeds (Twinkle Theme, Lightly Row, Minuets)
• Constant speed, varying lengths
  • Upper Half (UH)
  • Lower Half (LH)
  • Whole
  • Whole, Half, Half, (WHH) as used in O Come Little Children and  Long, Long Ago
• Stops and Slurs as applied to the G Major Two Octave Scale
  • 2 stops (stop bows are equivalent to marteles) and slurs
  • add 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, stops and slurs
  • Optional through to15 stops and slurs per bow
  • Listen for a ringing released tone - the bow remains on the string                                   

LEFT HAND TECHNIQUE

Finger Patterns

By the time Book One is finished a student:

• Is using all four fingers
• Is developing left hand finger independence
• Is using high and low 2nd finger
• Has been introduced to high 3rd finger  

Scales

• One octave scales beginning on the open strings
• A, D, and G major
• Two Octave G Major Scale
• Bowing variations
  • Twinkle rhythms
  • 2x/ note in UH
  • 2x/ note in LH
  • WHH
  • Every note for two beats with the WB
  • 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, through 15 stops and slurs with the two octave scale

Vibrato

• Tapping with left hand fingers on the fingerboard and on the left side of the violin (beginning vibrato impulse).
• Teacher/Parent begins wiggling the student’s fingers which develops the sound in the ear and the feeling in the finger
• Understand the sound and concept of vibrato

THEORY and EAR-TRAINING

Rhythms

• Know the Kodaly names for note values
• Be able to clap and read simple rhythm combinations found in the music being studied
• Be able to write similar rhythm combinations
• Be able to say, clap, and play

Note Reading of Pitches

• Be able to name, play, and read all the notes on all four strings in first position

Intervals and Chords

• Be able to identify when heard: (introduced in this order)  m2, P8 (O for octave), M3, P5, M6
• Major and minor triads in root position
• Begin learning to play these intervals on request

Musical Symbols

• Treble clef
• Key signature
• Time signature
• Measure
• Double bar
• Repeat sign
• Accidentals - Understand what they do and how long they last
• Sharps
• Naturals

Musical Terms

• Bowing Strokes
  • Martele
  • Detache
  • Legato
  • Slur
• Dynamics
  • Forte
  • Mezzo Forte
  • Mezzo Piano
  • Piano
  • Pianissimo
  • Crescendo
  • Decrescendo
• Tempo markings
  • Andante
  • Moderato
  • Allegro
  • Allegro moderato
  • Allegretto
  • Andantino
  • Allegro giocoso
• Other terms
  • Minuet
  • Fermata
  • Cesura
  • Accents
  • D.C. al fine

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