Brecklyn chats with six year old Gideon about his favorite song, Allegro. Brecklyn talks to four year old Evangeline about what her mom and teacher does to make things fun. Practice Tip: Keep your practice recordings to 30 seconds or less. Listening Tip: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85 by Edward Elgar. Recorded by […]
Suzuki Planet Podcast, Ep. 15: Mia Bleu, violinist from Utah
Brecklyn talks to Mia Bleu about performing for her stuffed animals and the importance of stretch breaks. Listening suggestion: Chris Thile, Bach Sonatas and Partitas Practice suggestion: Break it up. Smaller sessions throughout the day. Brecklyn Ferrin teaches Suzuki violin lessons and Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes in Kaysville, Farmington, and Salt Lake City, Utah. […]
Helping Students Handle Disappointment Over Cancelled Musical Events
As an extrovert, I live for opportunities to interact with my students, friends, and colleagues. Attending summer institutes each summer is one of the highlights of my entire year. This year I was planning to take my 7 year old violinist for his second time, and my five year old cellist for his first time. […]
Suzuki Planet Podcast Ep. 14: Rita, Violinist from Italy
Brecklyn talks to Rita about the difficulty of starting something new and the pride of accomplishing it. Practice Suggestion: Isolate the rhythm. Practice the rhythm on one note or string. Listening Suggestion: Little Women soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat Here’s a link to Rita, Martin, & Emily’s family band on Youtube! McKenzie Clawson is a Suzuki […]
Suzuki Planet Podcast, Ep. 13: Della, Violinist from Wisconsin
Brecklyn talks to Della about fun practice games and learning O Come Little Children on her own. McKenzie Clawson is a Suzuki violin teacher in Kaysville, Utah. She is a Suzuki parent of one 5 year old violinist, a 3 year old, and an Australian shepherd. Brecklyn Ferrin teaches Suzuki violin lessons and Suzuki Early […]
Supporting Studio Parents in Home Practice
Now that I have a couple years of Suzuki parenting behind me, and two children in lessons, I’ve spent some time reflecting on how my children’s teachers have supported me as the practice parent and what I can do to better support the parents in my studio. As a teacher, I sometimes forget that the […]
Suzuki Planet Podcast Episode 7: Frankie, violinist from California
Brecklyn talks to Frankie about why she chose the violin, practicing three times a day, and fun group lesson games. Frankie recommends this book. Listening Suggestion of the week: Franck Violin Sonata played by Itzhak Perlman. Practice Suggestion of the week: Pick a go to and a back up practice time.
Should You Let Your Suzuki Student Switch Instruments?
You may be surprised by my answer, and not long ago, I would have been too. I would have said, “Absolutely not. I will not let my children switch instruments.” My reasons for this stance were good. And to some extent, I stand behind them still. I didn’t (and still don’t) want my children to […]
Suzuki Planet Podcast Episode 6: Audrey, violinist from North Carolina
Brecklyn talks to Audrey about how practicing is like brushing your teeth and some great ideas for practice fun. Listening Suggestion: String Quartet in F Major by Maurice Ravel Practice Suggestion: One handed practice. Listen to this week’s episode on the SPP Parent Edition podcast here. We discuss great ways to transition to practice.
Suzuki Planet Podcast Episode 3: Kerissa, violinist from Ohio
Brecklyn talks to Kerissa about learning to read music, reviewing every day, and the thrill of learning something new. Tip of the week: put your number one practice goal on a big sheet of paper. Listening suggestion of the week: I‘m Not Perfect by Laurie Berkner. Thank you to Neil and Rachel of Chili Dog Strings for […]