5 Things I’m Loving This Week–July 17, 2015

This post was originally published on the Plucky Violin Teacher Blog on July 17, 2015 so links and resources may not be current.
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Hello my lovelies!It is a beautiful day here in Utah. The sun is shining, and the birds are singing. I am looking forward to a day of teaching my cute students, lovin’ my sweet kiddos, and hanging out at home.
So let’s get to it.


Here are the five things I’m loving this week.1. This Pre-Twinkle Checklist I made for one of my new students. He gets the sillies, so it’s hard to get through the tasks we need to accomplish in his lesson. He’s constantly asking when he can play with the violin and bow together, so I made this chart to show what we have left to do and what we have already done. We’re putting stickers on all of his completed goals. I love stickers.
If you would like the checklist to use in YOUR studio, just click this button!
Gimme My Checklist!
2. Manuscript paper! I have been using blank manuscript paper to teach music theory to my students, it really helps them to get in there and write things out themselves, like clefs, key signatures, and rhythms. I found free manuscript paper you can download and print from home.  There are some great violin teaching resources on this site!
3. I really enjoyed this article by Philip Johnston, “The Art of the Interview.”  I take any student who comes my way if I have room in my studio, but I wonder sometimes if it would be better for me to be “picky.” Either way, these are some fun ideas, and I honestly believe “Every Child Can,” so these ideas could be used with current or prospective students just to change things up and have some fun.
4. During my music librarian days I discovered a cd of Paganini Caprices performed by Ilya Kaler. It blew my mind. It was the first time I really heard those virtuosic pieces in a way that really spoke to me. I had to find more! Ilya Kaler’s performances of the Ysaye Sonatas are just as amazing. This recording of the Ballade is just impeccable. I love that every note is meaningful and crystal clear.


5. Of course the last one has to be about my crazy babies! Milo just loves Graham, but sometimes he gets a little sick of all the attention he gets, and Milo will say, “Mama. Put that baby in his NAP!” It’s hysterical. Now, Bruce and I tell each other, “Hey! Go put that baby in his nap!” because we think it is so funny.


There you go! Five things I am loving this week, the things that are putting a smile on my face and a spring in my step! I hope you liked them too!