Violin for Beginners: Holding Your Instrument and Plucking the Strings

Completed by 6 learners

Ages 8-12

Live One-Time Class

Completely new beginners will learn how to properly hold their violin (or viola) on their shoulder, and how to pluck the open strings.

Hannah VW

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(52 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

2-6 learners per class

30 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What’s included

1 live meeting

30 mins in-class hours

Homework

1 hour per week. Students are suggested to continue practicing the songs and exercises we learn in class.

Class Experience

This is your very first violin or viola lesson. We will cover the very basic  skills of how to hold the violin on your shoulder, correct sitting and standing posture, and how to properly pluck the open strings. Students will learn via watching and listening to the instructor and having personalized guidance on their positioning. 

No prior experience is needed.

Materials needed: Violin or viola that is functional and TUNED (bow will not be used in this lesson), music stand, 'String Basics: Steps to Success for String Orchestra' (by Terry Shade & Jeremy Woolstenhulme) Book 1 violin method book, pencil, orange highlighter, pink highlighter. A violin/viola shoulder rest that attaches to the instrument is highly recommended (a soft cloth or sponge rubber banded to the violin are makeshift options), and a music stand is also recommended though not necessary.

After practice and mastery of this class's content, student is ready for 'Your Second Violin Lesson: Placing the 1st Finger on the Strings'.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to play simple pizzicato (plucked) songs using the notes A and D.

Other Details

Supply List

Functional and tuned violin/viola; please message me if you have any questions about purchasing an instrument or tuning it
pencil
pink and orange highlighters
String Basics: Steps to Success for String Orchestra Violin Book 1 (by Terry Shade and Jeremy Woolstenhulme), costs ~$11
Highly suggested: shoulder rest
Suggested: music stand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_LPOIlTXas is a video that helps parents tune up the instrument before class (as well as you can)

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Hannah VW

Joined December, 2020

5.0

52reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Hello, My name is Mrs. VW.

I teach music and other classes on Outschool.

I have experience teaching orchestra, band, choir and general music in school classrooms and for private groups such as home school and fine arts organizations. I have over 15 years of experience teaching private instrument lessons, mainly string instruments and piano.

Our world is full of beauty and I love helping others tune in to notice, create and share beautiful things.

When I'm not teaching or creating music, I enjoy reading and learning new things!



Note: 
If you are thinking of purchasing a string instrument in preparation for a class, you are welcome to message me about good quality but still affordable recommendations. Buying a too-cheap and poorly made 'violin shaped object' off Amazon or other sellers can result in frustrations with an instrument that breaks, is hard to tune, hard to play etc.