Violin/Viola Starter Lessons

Completed by 1 learner

Ages 7-11

Live Group Class

Children will learn the violin/viola fundamentals in a group setting, in a fun and enthusiastic way.

Giles Thirkettle

Average rating:

5.0

Number of reviews:

(15 reviews)

Live video meetings

1x per week, 10 weeks

1-2 learners per class

30 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

10 live meetings

5 in-class hours

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Children will be encouraged to practice between lessons to get the most from them.

Class Experience

Pupils will learn the violin basics through fun exercises and will play a variety of pieces, mainly pizzicato (plucked) before adding arco(bowed) pieces. 
Week 1:
>How to hold the violin
>Learning the 4 string names and recognising their different pitches aurally and visually
>crotchets
>Plucking pieces 1-3
Week 2:
>How to hold bow through fun practical games
>Recap pieces from week 1. 
>Add bowed piece no. 4
>Right elbow levels for string crossing.
Week 3:
>String crossing "Rainbow's" exercise
>Work on sound quality with bow. 
>Introduce minims in "Two in a Boat". 
Week 4:
>London Bridge- a piece with both crotchets and minims
>Fast Lane- introduce tremolos.
Week 5:
>Dotted minims- bow control
>Bow retakes "In Flight and Lift off"
>Katie's Waltz
>Run through of favourite pieces from course.
>Sharing solos with class (optional)

Learning Goals

Students will learn how to hold their violin/viola with good technique. They will play a variety of pieces, both plucked and bowed. Students will recognise the open string notes and different rhythms.
Good tone production will be emphasised through exercises and examples.

Other Details

Supply List

Violin/Viola
"Fiddle Time Joggers"/"Viola Time Joggers" by Kathy and David Blackwell

External Resources

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

Meet the teacher

Giles Thirkettle

Joined May, 2020

5.0

15reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

2 Degrees

Master's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Trinity College of Music

Hello, 
I come from a musical family- in fact my parents met at the Welsh National Opera as professional violinists! Their passion for music rubbed off on me and I took up the violin age 3!
I have been playing ever since.
I love teaching and performing. I have a master's degree and BA in violin performance from TrinityLaban, where I learned with Michael Bochmann MBE. I teach individually, in groups and direct youth orchestras for music services across London.

I studied the harp at Wells Cathedral School with Ruth Faber, and at TrinityLaban with Gabriella Dall'olio. I enjoy teaching the Harp in London and on Outschool.

My main aim is to give pupils the necessary skills in an enthusiastic and fun way, so they can acquire the educational and wellbeing benefits from learning an instrument.

Thanks for your interest in my lessons.