About this course: Join us as we explore the fundamental principles and early stages of teaching violin and viola through a series of engaging video lectures and lesson demonstrations, including: 1) Master classes with some of the world’s top string pedagogues, 2) Individual lesson demos of teaching violin/viola set up, left and right hand technique and pieces from the early violin/viola repertoire, 3) Group lesson demos of teaching music theory, ear training and fun activities that encourage good playing habits, and 4) A “field trip” to the violin shop, where we will outfit a new beginning student with a proper instrument and bow. You’ll also engage in a series of discussions and reflections with colleagues and peers across the globe. Upon completion of this course, we hope you’ll return to your studio with confidence, a new curriculum, and a renewed approach to sharing with your students the joyful experience of making beautiful music.
Created by: Northwestern University
Taught by: Stacia Spencer, Senior Lecturer
Bienen School of Music
| Commitment | 6 hours of videos, quizzes and peer assessments |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Beginning Stages
Welcome to Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation! We will begin by covering leading philosophies and pedagogical theories about teaching children the violin and viola. The beginning stages will cover the child’s setup, posture and first left hand techniques.
6 videos, 5 readings
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Grading and Logistics
- Reading: Meet Your Instructors
- Reading: Suggested Reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: Violin Shop
- Video: Posture
- Video: Holding The Instrument
- Video: Left Hand Setup "Eggs"
- Video: Left Hand Setup "GDG"
Graded: Beginning Stages
WEEK 2
Bow Arm and Hand
To introduce the use of the right hand, we start by creating a “pinky house” for the child’s bow. We delve further into the violin setup and positioning through various creative exercises.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: The Beginning Bow Hold
- Video: Shoulder Bowing
- Video: Preparation for Violin and Bow Together
Graded: Bow Arm and Hand
WEEK 3
Putting It All Together
Now we get to put it all together by slowly incorporating the different movements of the right and left hand through four different pieces.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: GDG & AEA
- Video: See Saw
- Video: See the Little Monkey
Graded: Putting It All Together
WEEK 4
Pieces in the Key of A Major
After good setup and posture have been established, we start teaching the fundamentals through elementary pieces in the key of A Major. We also get to learn our first scale!
6 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: The A Major Scale
- Video: Strawberry Red
- Video: Lightly Row
- Video: Go Tell Aunt Rhody
- Video: Brother John
Graded: Pieces in the Key of A Major
Graded: Peer Review
WEEK 5
Playing with the Whole Bow
To transition to using the full bow, we introduce the “adult “ bow hold and a series of exercises to extend the bow stroke. Pieces include Long, Long Ago, O Come, Little Children, and Butterfly, Flutterby.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: Long, Long Ago
- Video: O Come, Little Children
- Video: Butterfly, Flutterby
Graded: Playing with the Whole Bow
WEEK 6
Pieces in the Key of D Major
We can now introduce the key of D Major. Students learn the D major scale along with pieces such as Bach Musette and Hushabye Lullaby.
6 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: Hop, Hop, Hop
- Video: Fox, You've Stolen the Goose
- Video: All the Birds are Already Here
- Video: Bach Musette
- Video: Hushabye Lullaby
Graded: Pieces in the Key of D Major
WEEK 7
Pieces in the Key of G Major
When we progress to the G Major scale and arpeggio, we start adding etudes and more advanced technical concepts. Pieces covered include Minuet and Happy Farmer.
6 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: Wohlfahrt Etude in G
- Video: Minuet
- Video: Minuet in G
- Video: The Happy Farmer
- Video: All the Pretty Little Ponies
Graded: Pieces in the Key of G Major
WEEK 8
Note Reading, Vibrato, and the Group Class
To teach note reading, we will cover the best-practice teaching techniques for note reading and vibrato. We will also explore group teaching, group games, and group dynamics.
8 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: Beginning Vibrato
- Video: Simon Says & Eggs
- Video: Bow Games
- Video: Shh Shh
- Video: Boil The Cabbage
- Video: Sunflower and Intervals
- Video: Rhythm Games
WEEK 9
Favorite Exercises for the Older Student
Now that our students are getting more advanced, we can begin to cover our favorite exercises for the older student. Exercises include "Poof Bow" and the "Invisible Violin."
5 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: Bow Hold Exercises
- Video: The Train Story
- Video: 1:4 Bow Exercises
- Video: Poof Bow Exercises
Graded: Favorite Exercises for the Older Student
Graded: Peer Review
WEEK 10
The Master Class
In our final segment, we will learn from top pedagogues Mimi Zweig and Roland and Almita Vamos in a master class setting.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Module Overview
- Video: Almita Vamos & Roland Vamos Master Class
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries.
Ratings and Reviews
Immensely helpful for improving my teaching technique. I have a few years teaching experience, while having played violin for about 23 years (serious amateur), and this course provided much needed structure and reasoning to my teaching skill set. Thank you!
I learned some and revisited many concepts pertaining to teaching violin and viola, and also learn many new songs similar to the Suzuki book 1 songs. The videos are well made, and to the point.
Wonderful course! Take it!
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JL
This is a wonderful course for the accomplished teacher or for someone who is just starting out. The basic foundational techniques and skills are absolutely essential for success on the violin and viola. The stepwise series of lessons, the even smaller breakdown of techniques into steps that even the youngest beginners can grasp gives the string teacher tools that will benefit all of your students. Excellent!