Have you seen the videos of quarantined Italians singing from their balconies and windows? I have been so inspired. In times of increased community anxiety, music has always healed hearts and soothed spirits. There is something especially powerful about live music shared with others. It is such a pure, loving gift to those around you.
Let’s bring our Suzuki community together. I propose spreading the hashtag #musicalkidsinquarantine. Share a video of students performing from their porches, balconies, windows, or computers. We want to see all the amazing kids sharing their music with family and neighbors–from a safe distance.
Here are some other ideas and resources you can use while you’re staying home from school and other public places.
- Improvise! Use backing tracks on Spotify or order one of these books!
- Learn your favorite pop or movie music by ear. You may find sheet music online! (Of course make sure to follow copyright laws.) There’s a ton of this music available with a Scribd subscription. (Brecklyn loves Scribd.)
- Compose. Teach your composition to a sibling or a friend over skype , Facetime, or Zoom.
- Record an episode of the Suzuki Planet Podcast. Learn more here.
- Play duets with your studio friends via skype.
- Get a free month of streaming Berlin Philharmonic concerts.
- Dance to your Suzuki recordings
- Research a new composer! Find as much as you can about their life and listen to their music.
- Keep review silly. (Try different rhythms, strings, positions, octaves. Experiment freely!)
- Teach someone a lesson over skype. Ask your teacher if a younger student is in need of a practice partner or take the opportunity to teach a grandparent your instrument!
- Watch free nightly streams from the Metropolitan Opera.
- Play along with Twinkle Factory by Chili Dog Strings. Explore their resources on youtube, they are amazing.
- Try different note reading/music theory apps. I’ve heard good things about (but not tried all) of the following: Staff Wars (sounds like it’s better on iOS, than Android), Blobchorus, Ear Training Cat, Rhythmic Village (great introduction to simple rhythms.)
Comment with your suggestions, and we’ll keep adding to this list!
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.
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