Learn to Play the Violin at Home Free Using the Suzuki Method

When my daughter wanted to continue the violin lessons she had started several years ago, I searched for a violin teacher in the rural community where we now live. I quickly found there were no violin teachers in the county. So I turned to the internet, where one can find anything. After much searching, I found exactly what I was looking for- Suzuki Method violin lesson videos- for free!

When she was 5, my daughter started taking Suzuki Method violin lessons. After a couple months life circumstances dictated we stop the lessons, but we had kept the level 1 and level 2 CDs. Now she is 11 and I still want her to get the basics of the Suzuki Method before moving on to learning notes. We have begun the lessons, and she is learning the violin as easily as before- only now the lessons are free.

To help your child learn the violin, I suggest the following materials:

Violin- Ask the shopkeeper to size the violin so it is a right fit for your child. Be sure to get rosin for the bow!

Suzuki Violin School CD Volumes 1 and 2- You can purchase these online at Amazon.com as well as other online vendors. Your local music store may have them as well.

You may also want to hang a chart to keep track of violin lesson time and practice time.

The following websites are essential, and they are free:

ViolinOnline- This website is a fantastic resource, but we mainly use it to tune the violin.

Suzuki Violin at McKinley School- This is the most important website. Here you will find video lessons from week 1 to week 17. There are also printable practice schedules for 28 weeks.

Some tips for getting started:

Allow your child to replay the lesson as many times as he/she wishes. Repetition is a good thing!

Your child should practice for about 15 minutes each day. This doesn't necessarily mean 15 minutes in a row though. Your child can practice during TV commercials, play short concerts for stuffed animals or dolls, and amaze friends and relatives with a few notes. Practice should be fun, not a chore.

Be sure your child is using appropriate posture while practicing- this means standing. He should also check to be sure he is holding the bow properly each time.

Tune the violin before practice and before doing a lesson. Your child can easily learn to do this on her own. Be sure also to rosin the bow before each session.
Play the Suzuki CDs for your child during the day, while doing chores, and at bedtime. The more you play the music for her, the more familiar she will become with the tunes and the easier it will be for her to play them.

Praise your child often and keep track of lessons and practice with a sticker chart.

Your child will hopefully gain an appreciation for music, self-confidence, and improved academic functioning after taking violin lessons. You may find your child has a special talent in music, or perhaps a special love for the music. Either way, these beginning lessons will help your child discover more about the world and herself!