Beginning Violin Foundations 2: Next Songs for Skill Building
In this 8-week online course, students will further develop beginning violin techniques, culminating in learning three songs that will begin to build their violin repertoire, along with building knowledge and skill for future playing.
Rebecca Portillo
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(41)
What's included
23 pre-recorded lessons
average 8 mins per video8 weeks
of teacher support3 hrs 1 mins
total video learning hours1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. Lessons include homework in the form of assigned and suggested practicing, and students can receive feedback on their practice by posting a video or audio file to the classroom. Students should aim to practice the assigned exercises and music for 10-15 minutes per day, 4-6 days per week. Practice is most effective when it is spread out over the week.Progress Report
Students can receive a short (paragraph) progress report if they have posted videos or audio files of their practice and progress throughout the course, for at least 3 different lesson steps. This is available upon request, and includes feedback on both the student's progress during the course, and specific suggestions for improvement or next steps based on the student's work in the course.Class Experience
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Do you have some violin basics, knowing how to play a simple song with your bow, and you're ready for the next steps? That's what this class is designed for! This class is ideal for students who have completed the first Violin Foundations class, or students who are able to play songs that include up to 3 fingers in a beginner finger pattern. In this 8-week class, students will learn how to play three complete songs that build skill and technique. By the time you finish this course, you will have started to develop your own repertoire of violin songs that both further your playing and give you music to share with others! This is a self-paced class, so there will be no live meetings for this class. I will demonstrate all of the skills and music that we will cover in this class on my own violin, in short, easy-to-follow steps with detailed explanations. Each week's material is posted to the classroom, and you can view it anytime that week at your own convenience! The material will include several short videos every week, and some weeks will also include sheet music and other reference material to help you understand the music you are learning. Students will be able to receive feedback by posting videos or audio files of themselves practicing each week's assigned music and exercises. Students will need to have their own violin and bow in their correct size (and in good working condition), rosin, a small soft cloth, and a shoulder rest or foam pad in place of a shoulder rest. Please see the learner supply list section below for more information on violin sizing. Students will also need to regularly tune their violin (every time they practice), and younger students should receive assistance from an adult for this step. I believe that the beginning stages and first years of learning to play the violin should always be filled with encouragement, and progress should always be celebrated! Every learner is unique, and it is always worth taking your time in the beginning stages of learning an instrument like the violin, because a good foundation pays off later on. My goal is to meet every student exactly where they are and help them continue with their instrument in a sustainable and enjoyable way!
Learning Goals
Further refinement of bow hold and developing a good toneHow to "skip" fingers in the left hand without extra sounds
Syllabus
23 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Setting Up for Success - Tuning, Bow Hold, and Scale
This lesson is for reference throughout this course. For the best experience and success, students should make sure their violin is tuned, continue to refine their bow hold, and warm up with the A major scale demonstrated in the video while listening for good intonation. 15 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Introducing Finger Skips
This lesson demonstrates good technique followed by practice "skipping" fingers in the left hand in preparation for the first song we will study. 7 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Note Reading Concepts for Lightly Row
This lesson provides an overview of how to begin to recognize notes in the sheet music for Lightly Row, as well as how to read the fingering helps for students who are still building note-reading skills. 10 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Lightly Row - First Phrase
This lesson teaches the first phrase of Lightly Row, step-by-step, with demonstration of things to watch out for, good techniques to use, and how to break the phrase down for practicing. 8 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Supply List
Students will need to have their own violin and bow in their correct size (and in good working condition), rosin, a small soft cloth, and a shoulder rest or foam pad in place of a shoulder rest. Violins are made in fractional sizes so that children can play successfully. Common fractional sizes for students in the 8-11 year old range include 1/4 size, 1/2 size, and 3/4 size. A full-size (4/4) violin is usually appropriate for children and teens who are at least 5 feet (60 inches) tall. Adult assistance with tuning the instrument may be required for younger children. Sheet music is provided for all of the songs covered in this course, and can be found posted to the lesson covering that song.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2021
5.0
41reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music from California State University Northridge
I teach violin, viola, general music, and music theory - sometimes all at once!
I have been playing the violin for 30 years and teaching music for over 20 years. I learned how to play a variety of other instruments in college through my college studies, and I received my B.A. in music education in 2003. Right after that, I taught elementary school orchestras in Los Angeles for four years. Since then, I have been teaching violin and viola, mostly as private lessons but I love getting students together in groups, too!
I love music, of course, but I love teaching even more. If I wasn't teaching music, I would teach something else - anything else! - because there's no greater reward than watching those "aha" moments and making learning a joyful experience. However, I think teaching music is probably the most rewarding career that exists because there are so many benefits to studying music, and I get be a part of helping students grow in all those ways.
If I'm not teaching or practicing, there's a good chance I'm thinking about some chocolate or ice cream...or better yet, ice cream with chocolate in it! But I stay very busy between my husband, son, two crazy dogs, and one not-too-crazy cat, so there usually isn't much time left in my day to eat that chocolate ice cream!Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$8
weekly or $60 for all content23 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
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Ages: 8-13
