Violin Lessons: From the mouths of loud mouth babes...

Violin lessons are going very well! The boys are getting really good at their posture and bow holds, which are things that you definatly want to master before learning to play. They know their musical alphabet and can name the stings on their violins. We're moving right along! Miss Becca said that we are getting close to putting those bows to the strings. They'll be so excited!

Group class with Miss Kristen has started up and it's interesting to see the different dynamic in a group setting. Addison won't stop talking, just like he does in front of church during Children's Moments. He wants to be the one to answer every question, and at a volume of 10. Asa, on the other hand, is shy in a group. He raises his hand and waits to be called on... and it's bad news if the teacher doesn't call on him... Last week Kristen asked the class to describe Bugs Bunny (in violin you learn to hold the bow by starting with "bow bunnies" with your hands). Lots of kids answered (and Addison answered loudly) but Asa sat with his hand raised. She didn't get to him and he stewed about it the entire class. He came up to me halfway through almost in tears about it. After class, he went up to the teacher and told her, "I wanted to tell you that Bugs Bunny has long ears". He felt much better.

I think I may separate the two of them as they sit around the circle in group class. Addison talks SO MUCH that I'm afraid she may not realize that he is the only one of my pair that speaks up. As time goes by, Asa will no doubt get more comfortable in there and loosen up some. He usually does.

Last week Kristin wanted to go over the parts of the violin with the class. Some of the kids are just starting their private lessons, so a lot of this is review for the boys. She explained that the violin has some parts that are the same as we have on our bodies. Then, she asked the class to name parts of the violin that we also have. Before she even asked the entire question, Addison's hand was up and as she finished up the question he yelled out, "F Hole!" Now, Kristin knows the fancy cut holes in the front of the violin are called f-holes... and I know this... and some of the kids and parents may have... but it was no doubt big laugh for the adults in the room.

Article from the Red & Black