Early Childhood Music

Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. The potential of every child is unlimited. ~Suzuki

Violin Fingering
Beginning Exercises & Games
A Parent's Role in Early Childhood Education
Beginning Violin Lessons
Kindermusik Programs
Getting to Know Your Violin & Bow
http://www.violinonline.com/theviolin&bow.htm
Left Hand Technique
http://www.violinonline.com/howtoholdtheviolin.htm
http://www.mrfiddle.com
Right Hand Technique
      http://www.violinonline.com/bowhold.htm
     http://www.violinonline.com/bowplacement.htm
       http://www.mrfiddle.com

Description of Early Beginning Childhood level...

Motor skill development and proper posture
For young players in their first several years of experience
Playing in keys limited to no sharps or flats through three sharps
First position used with occasional extensions and use of harmonics
Bowing styles include detache, martele, staccatto, slurs and pizzacato

A Parents Role in Early Childhood Music

As a teacher, I often get asked, “what is the earliest recommended ages for my child to begin music study?” The answer to this question depends on the instrument as you will see from the chart below:

Strings: 3-4 years old               Piano: 4-5 years old
Woodwinds: 8-10 years old       Guitar: 8-10 years old
Brass: 9-11 years old                 Percussion: 9-11 years old
Harp: 10-12 years old (requires some piano training)

•     Although parents should have future goals for their young child, they should not allow these goals to distract from the daily growth in their child's eagerness and excitement, mental growth, and development of musical skills and sensitivity.
•     In young children, learning often takes place slowly but thoroughly. This applies to learning to speak as well. Patience is a key in creating a good learning environment for your child.
•     Relax and take delight watching your child during his/her lessons and practice periods. Do not allow concerns to keep you from experiencing this tremendous period of learning during this time in their life.
•     The main purpose of music instruction is for both you and your child to enjoy the entire musical process as it gently unfolds.

Here are listed some of the books used on this level...
K4 and 5 Year Old's Program
1/4 inch dowel rod from Walmart
school (cardboard) or cigar box
Kindermusik training
Young Strings in Action
Suzuki Book Vol. 1
Suzuki Violin CD Vol. 1
Games by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
ABC Notespeller Volumes 1 & 2 by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Fun with Rhythm by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Songs for Little Players by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Mississippi Hot Dog and the Lonely Hamburger Band by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)

Violin, properly sized depending on the measurements of the child. Choosing your child's first violinis like choosing the first pair of shoes he will learn to walk in. You want to provide an instrument that will inspire him to make many future attempts at making a tone.
Rosin, in a wood block with a plastic cover or box. Often provided with violin outfit. Made of tree sap, this material will shatter if dropped, melt and become sticky if heated.
Foam Shoulder rest called a "wedge"

Phase Two
Young Strings in Action Book 1 by Sheila Johnson (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Songs for Little Players Book 2 by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
More Songs for Little Players ( book 3) by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Mississippi Hot Dog and the Happy Hamburger Hoedown (book 2) by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Fairfield Fiddle Farm Fiddle Book volume 1 by Charles Hall (SHAR, Ye Ol Fiddle Shop, or Joyful Noise)
Fiddle America Volume 1 by Greg Baker (available through private teachers)
New Skills by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Racing Fingers by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)

Phase Three
Young Strings in Action Book 1 by Sheila Johnson (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Suzuki Violin book 1 (Ye Ol Fiddle Shop or any local violin music supplier)
Treasure Hunt! by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Violinists First Solo Album vol 1 by George Pearlman (SHAR, Ye Ol Fiddle Shop, or Joyful Noise)
Fiddle America Volume 1 by Greg Baker (available through private teachers)
Fairfield Fiddle Farm Fiddle Book volume 1 by Charles Hall (SHAR, Ye Ol Fiddle Shop, or Joyful Noise)
Famous Songs for Young Players by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Easy Solos for Beginning Violin level 1 by Craig Duncan (available through private teachers)
Technical Studies for Beginning Violin by Craig Duncan (available through private teachers)
Folk Songs of America by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
Fun with Christmas by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)
The Missing Note Book by Evelyn Ashvarian (SHAR or Joyful Noise)

PRINCIPLES OF STUDY & GUIDANCE

1. Quality of sound or tone should be stressed during lessons and practice.
2. Parents and teacher should strive to motivate the child so that he will enjoy practicing. Ask your child to play for you often and encourage and praise him/her during this learning period.
3. Constant attention should be given to correct posture, balance, holding the bow, bow usage, and instrument positioning.
4. A parent should be present during a young child's lesson if possible to help their child during the early phases of training. Remember that you are his/her teacher during the week, maintaining good musical habits and posture as much as possible.
5. Once a child has learned the fingering and bowing of one piece of music he should not proceed to a new piece until he has refined his/her sound quality, movements, and musical sensitivity. Review greatly improves musical ability.
6. Listening to godly, melodic, and classical music is a natural way to rapidly develop your child's musical abilities and sensitivity.
7. Create a musically rich lifestyle for your children. I highly recommend the book, Raising Muscial Kids, by Patrick Kavanaugh, published by Vine Books.

Violin and Bow Care
http://www.bright.net/~hhelser/maintenance.html
Tighten your bow before playing by gently turning the tension screw. Avoid making the bow hairs too taut---the separation between the bow stick and hair should be about the width of a pencil.

Put a small amount of rosin on your bow before playing. Hold the rosin in your left hand, place the bow hairs flat on the rosin and slowly move the bow back and forth on the rosin.

After playing the violin, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove rosin build-up on the strings.

Loosen the hair on your bow before putting it back in the case.

Do not store your violin in extreme hot or cold locations.

Recommended Reading:
Raising Musical Kids by Patrick Kavanaugh