Why Setting Micro Goals Each Day Leads to Happier, More Productive Practice… A Tale of Two Practice Days… Once upon a Wednesday, a parent and their child gathered to practice the violin together. The first ten minutes of practice time was spent begging, pleading, and yelling at the child to get on the footchart. The […]
Suzuki Planet Podcast Episode 16: Gideon and Evangeline, Violinists from Georgia
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 […]
Online Teaching: What’s Working, What’s Not…
It’s been about six weeks since all of my violin teaching has moved online. Like so many others, I have had to learn a lot very quickly. In many ways, it has gone really well. I get to see all of my favorite little violinists every week! They are all making progress. If I had […]
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 […]
I Wonder What Mistakes I’ll Make…
A couple weeks ago, just a few days after we got the news that school would close for the foreseeable future, I was practicing with my daughter. She had practiced accented bows on open strings and on a scale for several days and it was time to try to add them to Allegretto in Suzuki […]
#musicalkidsinquarantine and Other Resources
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. […]
Suzuki Planet Podcast Ep. 12: Martin and Emily, Violinists from Italy
Brecklyn talks to Martin and Emily about their Suzuki community in Italy. Practice Suggestion: Use your review pieces to grow new technique. Listening Suggestion: 30 Before 20: Masterworks by Teenagers