Seven Things I’m Loving This Week– July 3, 2015 Edition

This post was originally published on the Plucky Violin Teacher Blog on July 3, 2015, so links and resources may not be current.
 
An Overload of Amazing StuffI know, I know!  

I’m sorry, it is supposed to be just five, but I couldn’t narrow it down.  I’m weak.  There is just so much good stuff out there that I am dying to share with you.

So here it goes, SIX amazing things that I am crazy about this week:
1.  I have watched this cover of Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off about twenty times now.  It just makes me smile and want to play violin with these beautiful ladies.
2.  This carrot I borrowed from Milo’s play food.  It’s perfect for little bunny bow holds!

3.  I have been re-reading The Musician’s Way by Gerald Klickstein, and it is seriously amazing.  He explains effective and artful practicing so logically and succinctly.  It is really a must-read.  It sounds trite but when I read it as a grad student, it really changed my life.
4.  After reading this post about the Peak-End Rule by Dr. Noa Kageyama, I have changed the format of my violin lessons so that we always end with a game.  I am doing this even with my older more advanced students, which I was a little scared to do.  But I was plucky and tried it.  My students are sure enjoying the change of pace!
5.  In honor of the holiday tomorrow, I thought it would be appropriate to share this video of Noah Bendix-Bagley playing The Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America at a Pirates Game a few years ago.  It’s pretty stellar.
6.  If you are looking for a comprehensive and logical approach to setting up your beginning students, Stacia Spencer is offering a free course on Coursera.org called Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation.  Stacia teaches at Northwestern, and used to be Mimi Zweig’s assistant at Indiana University.  (I just love Mimi.)  It is amazing.  Seriously.  I want all of my studio parents to complete the course so they will know how to help their kiddos at home.  I cannot emphasize enough what an invaluable resource this is.  They should be charging through the nose for this information.

I hope you all have an amazing holiday weekend.  Eat good food, have fun with your families, and be plucky!!
Have any super sweet tips to share?  Any amazing performances or resources available on the internet?  Share with me in the comments or send me a message!