Category: Theresa Britt’s Blog

The following is a set of scales that uses the octave pattern of the fingers. These two scales can be studied extensively with slur patterns of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, & 24, including bowing variations. After a degree of mastery is achieved with the scale, arpeggios can be added. G Major uses… Continue reading February 21, 2012 – Octave Pattern Fingering for Scales

In order to teach Lightly Row in Suzuki volume 1, I believe that students need a number of prerequisites: Knowledge of all fingers on A and E string. Ability to play a scale with single notes. Ability play Twinkle. Steps to teaching: Teach the Words to Lightly Row: Lightly Row, Fast and Slow, Up a… Continue reading Feburary 20, 2012 – Sequence to teaching Lightly Row

Souvenir de Sarasate is a vibrant piece for the advanced player. A firm foundation in chords in various positions is necessary in order for the student to have execute this work well. Techniques used in the piece include: Double stop passages moving through first, second and third position Left hand pizzicato Harmonics Off the string… Continue reading February 7, 2012 – Souvenir de Sarasate by Potstock

Polish Dance by Edmund Severn is an excellent show piece for an experienced player who has some experience with chords and double stops. The student needs to have a firm basis in shifting and intonation before playing a piece of this level. Techniques used in the piece include: Left hand and right hand pizzicato Double… Continue reading February 6, 2012 – Polish Dance by Severn

The Boy Paganini by Edward Mollenhauer is a great piece for a young violinist who has learned some shifting. It  gives the student an opportunity to explore music besides the baroque. Techniques necessary for the piece include: Shifting to fifth position Harmonics Left hand pizzicato Slurred and arpeggiated chords Off the string strokes using “colle”… Continue reading February 5, 2012 – The Boy Paganini

The first movement of the Charles de Beriot’s Concerto No. 9 in A minor  in an excellent showy piece for the developing violinist. The work moves up to 8th position on the fingerboard and uses extensive passage of double stops on multiple strings including thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths and octaves. Students will read passages an… Continue reading January 24, 2012 – de Beriot Concerto No. 9 1st Movement

These are the words to Long Long Ago, by T.H. Bayly. I change them slightly for teaching. You will see my change below. Tell me the tales that to me were so dear, Long, long ago; long, long ago. Sing me the songs I delighted to hear Long, long ago; long ago. Now you are… Continue reading October 31, 2011 – Long Long Ago Lyrics

These are alternate lyrics to Song of the Wind. It is actually a German folk song. The literal translation is below. German text: Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen, Gib sie wieder her! Gib sie wieder her! Sonst wird dich der Jäger holen Mit dem Schießgewehr, Sonst wird dich der Jäger holen Mit dem Schießgewehr.… Continue reading October 21, 2011 – Song of the Fox?

German setting: Ihr Kinderlein, kommet, O kommet doch all! Zur Krippe her kommet In Bethlehems Stall. Und seht was in dieser Hochheiligen Nacht Der Vater im Himmel Für Freude uns macht. O seht in der Krippe Im nächtlichen Stall, Seht hier bei des Lichtes Hellglänzendem Strahl, In reinliche Windeln Das himmlische Kind, Viel schöner und… Continue reading October 17, 2011 – Words for O Come Little Children

I discovered there is an Easter hymn to the music of Chorus from Judas Maccabeus. Thanks to Nancy for sharing with me: Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son; endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won; angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.… Continue reading October 10, 2011 – Chorus from Judas Maccabeus Words