First lessons can be a little scary. Nobody knows what to expect. What type of teacher is the teacher going to be? Are they mean? Are they fun? Will they tell me that I’m not good enough? A million questions go through both parents’ and student’s (and the teacher’s!) minds. Birmingham Violin Studio has been in your shoes. We know how scary it can be. So we’re going to try to take away some of the mystery of what your first lesson will look like for both beginner students and transfer (with some violin experience) students.

 

For a beginner student: (30 min. lesson)

  • Greeting: Christin says hello to new student and finds out a little about you. (5mins)
  • Unpack instrument: We get out the instrument for the first time and talk about how to take care of it. We talk about what the parts of the violin are and what they do. (10 min)
  • First notes: We play the violin for the first time and learn our first bit of how to read music! (10 min.)
  • The big finish: We review what we learned. Pack up. Talk about how and what to practice. And answer any questions the student or parent might have. (5 min.)

 

For a transfer student: (45 min. lesson)

  • Greeting/Unpack: Christin says hello to new student and finds out a little about you: How long you’ve been playing. Who your teacher was. What pieces you’ve been working on. (5 min.)
  • Student plays: Student plays something that they feel comfortable playing and shows approximately where they are at in their violin studies. (5 min.)
  • First notes: Christin talks to the student: asks a few questions, gives constructive critiques of the playing, possibly demonstrates a new idea. (This part is the litmus test to see if the student and teacher will be able to work together. It’s like a two way interview. Both student and teacher need to decide if we’re going to be a good fit for each other.) (15 min.)
  • Goal setting: Christin asks the student their long term and short term goals for learning violin. What are you wanting to do with violin? Get in the local youth symphony? Major or minor in college? Just have fun by myself? Learn a certain technique or piece? (10 min)
  • The big finish: Student is asked to play one more time, implementing new ideas. We review those ideas. Set practice goals for the week. And pack up. (10 min)

 

So what do I need to do before my first lesson?

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