This is not your average violin lesson. I will observe and coach progress in technique and musicality, yes — but this is not the primary objective. Technique and musicality will improve as the student learns to use his or her mind and body effectively.
Some lessons we may do very little actual playing of the instrument but instead focus on breaking down thought processes and movements to find out what is happening. As we identify habits (and as the student learns to do this on his or her own) we can then create exercises to give the mind and body a chance to find a new way to accomplish the movement in the simplest and easiest way possible. Then we can play more freely!
Getting Started
We will meet for a FREE first lesson where we can get to know each other. I will ask questions to learn about his or her current skill level, challenges, and short and long term goals for the violin. And, of course, you are free to ask me questions!
Lessons will be tailored to the age and skill level of the student, but here is an example of how a first lesson would go for a child who has already learned basic playing skills:
During the first lesson I will ask the student to play a portion of a piece that they are comfortable with. Then I will teach them a simple mental exercise and have them play the piece a second time. We will discuss any differences observed. I will then take the recorded video and catalog my observations and develop a strategy for future lessons.
Lesson 2 will be an introduction to Constructive Thinking. Constructive Thinking is the key to improvement. It takes practice to identify which of your thoughts is helpful to you. It takes yet more practice to redirect your attention to a thought that IS helpful. During early development, the human brain creates powerful wiring to keep us alive. Unfortunately that wiring has many of us on overdrive – thinking every situation is dangerous or urgent – whether we realize it or not. Combining Constructive Thinking with learning to take time and experiment with different possibilities for accomplishing a posture, movement, or technique is at the core of the lessons I teach.
Ongoing lessons will begin with a centering exercise and a check-in on the student’s observation from the week’s practice. I will look at the physical posture, movement, and/or technique the student is struggling with, teach them how to observe what is happening, and break it down into smaller segments to practice with Constructive Thinking.
Younger students’ lessons will consist of more play and other ways to understand the process at their comprehension level. Group classes of young beginners will be able to learn the basic principles together and begin to make music!
Zen Violin 