The First Year Violin tutor – Neil Mackay

Description

The First Year Violin tutor is written especially for the violin class but is suitable also for individual tuition.

The First Year Violin tutor course is designed to cover the work for one year and is divided into three sections under the headings First, Second and Third Terms. For the best results class lessons should be of 30 to 40 minutes’ duration, depending upon the number of pupils in each group.

The finger pattern on each string is the same (tone, tone, semitone) and the melodies and exercises are written on one string or on two adjacent strings. By this means pupils should become thoroughly familiar with the first finger pattern by the end of their first year and can acquire a sound left hand technique which will ensure correct finger actions and true intonation.

Since the tunes and exercises are limited to one string or two adjacent strings the number of bowing elevations is likewise restricted. This is an important aspect of violin teaching when applied to class work in schools, as most beginners find it very difficult to control the bow when attempting numerous string crossings.

In this tutor the bowing and rhythmic difficulties are increased gradually on one or two strings and since the finger pattern on the E, A, D and G strings is the same, pupils can concentrate on the right hand without being confused by a variety of finger patterns or bowing elevations.