Violinist.com Guide to Online Learning

By Laurie Niles: Looking for help with online violin lessons? Whether you are a teacher, student or parent, we have what you need: instructions on finding and maintaining an instrument, practice videos, lesson plans, ideas for motivating students, technical advice for online teaching, and even lessons on how to host a Zoom recital.

For Students and Parents

Why Extremely Cheap Violins Are Not a Good Deal Why does a beginner needs a good-quality violin? Here are some of the reasons why parents (and administrators who buy for schools) should avoid buying ultra-cheap violins.What Size Violin Does My Child Need? A properly-fitting violin will help ease a student's studies, making the innately awkward instrument easier to handle and hold. There are seven typical "fractional" sizes for violins, from smallest to largest: 1/16, 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full-size. Here are straightforward instructions on how to measure your child or student, with a chart to determine what size instrument you need.Violin Cutout for Making a Cardboard Violin [PDF] Before very young students play a "real" violin, they often use a cardboard one to practice position. Here's what you need to make one at home: a ruler, an egg carton or empty macaroni box (taped shut), and this printout (print onto 8 1/2 by 13-inch paper or cardstock). Create the violin box by attaching a ruler to the egg carton or empty macaroni box, using packing or duct tape. If you wish, allow your student to color the printed out violin with crayons; you can play violin music in the background during this activity. Then cut out the colored violin and glue it to the violin box. Now you have a box violin!Taking Care of Your Violin [PDF] Here are some simple instructions for young students and parents about taking care of a violin or stringed instrument.How to Tune Your Violin [With Video] Here is an easy guide to tuning your violin, for parents and students who must now do this at home, without help from a teacher. It describes how to use the pegs and the fine tuners and has a PDF guide that can be printed out.Practice Videos for Beginning Violin Students Here are about a dozen practice videos by Laurie Niles. They are designed for beginning violin students, to help them acquire the skills needed to play the Twinkle Variations, the first piece in Suzuki Book 1. Daily Practice Record [PDF] Print out a practice chart to keep track of daily practice. Teachers are welcome to send this link to students. Depending on your goals, the student or parent can attach small stickers for each day, or write in the minutes practiced.

Just For Teachers

The Learning Potential Of Online Lessons Are there actually advantages to online lessons? Claire Allen outlines the positives, like cultivating independence in the student, improving communication, learning more readings skills and more.

Technical Set-up for Online Violin Lessons Here is a printable PDF that has simple guidelines to help with technical issues such as: Internet service bandwidth; mic recommendations; Zoom settings for violin lessons; troubleshooting for lag and sync issues; and how to set up your room and camera for best communication between teacher and student.Advanced Technical Set-up for Online Violin Lessons Carrie Salisbury takes a deep dive in to the logistics of online private lessons, enhancing the studio setup with things such as multiple cameras, using an iPad for PDFs and handouts, using more advanced Zoom settings, setting up an external mic, mutings for duets and more.Group Class Ideas How do you teach instrumental music to a group of children online? Carrie Salisbury shares lots of group class ideas.

Games for Levity and Community - Violin Studios in the time of Zoom How do you keep college students involved when everything is online? Susanna Klein shares a fun idea: studio class happy hour, complete an age appropriate drink of your choice and musical games, which are described in this article. How to Host an Online Music Recital on Zoom An online recital is different than in-person, but it has the same goals. Here are some of the ways to create a successful recital: preparing musically with pre-recorded piano accompaniment, creating the right environment; and taking into consideration a new set of logistics for both parents and teacher.