Author: Rachel Cooper

Please use this web link below to come and join me to play through Suzuki book 1

I currently teach lots of little ladies who love jewellery. I decided to use an idea I’d seen and get them to build their own bracelets with different coloured beads depending on how much practice they’d done each week. Pink = 4days practice, silver = 5 days, gold = 6+. They also get an extra silver bead if they do any review pieces during the week. They are really enjoying it and find the little competitive element motivating! I also have some young boys too and we are using the same idea but with key rings! (Of course if they want to have a bracelet they can do that too)!

I bought these colourful magnets a few years ago and they have become my number 1 tool for group classes. The students earn them in the lesson when they do great things. If they collect all the ‘magic beans’ they all get a sticker. It is another great tool to get the class working as a team.

This is a simple soft top slap band from eBay. It’s a fantastic way to get students to open up the left hand if they have a tendency to collapse the hand. It is very important to make sure the violin is supported with the weight of the head and a strong posture BEFORE trying this.

Rachel’s students are collecting petals each week for the practice they do. During group class they can also collect raindrops, sun beams or leaves for the flowers. This is to encourage team work And motivate them to practice more at home. We will also make a rainbow at the end of term if the flowers are completed!