Toys Can Practice Too!

Notice something weird about this picture?

Sometimes it takes a little creativity to get a child to practice.  Yesterday my 3-year-old didn't want to practice because she was playing with her Polly Pockets.  So, I told her the Polly Pockets could watch her practice.  She loved playing the pieces and looking at her dolls and she also kept her scroll up high.   We ended up having a great practice!

Brain Noodles

I sold these Brain Noodles (aka GIANT pipe cleaners) at institute last year the first question that came from everyone was, "What do I do with these?"  Without a plan I would just look back with a blank face, "Uhhhhhhh - anything you want, I guess."  (not a good salesperson, I know.)  My darling husband was much better at coming up with ideas and decorated my darling daughter's bow.  A cello teacher bought a bunch and taught an entire group class without talking just using the Brain Noodle.  Another teacher bought a bunch to take to another institute, but how she was using I'm not sure.  Since last summer I've used these a lot with my teaching.  I only have two left and they've been well-used.  This is one of the reasons I like these so much - they can be shaped and reshaped and reshaped again, and they are still useful!

Today my darling daughter didn't want to practice today so I had her be my model and demonstrate the different ways I've used Brain Noodles over the past year.  It was fun for her - and we got quite a lot of practicing done.

The Violin Cast

To kinesthetically feel the "slippery slide" and "mouse hole" with the left hand.

Royal Crown

Keep that head up high and don't let it fall over!

Blind Fold

Keep those eyes closed and listen to your tone (or intonation.)

Soft Bow Hold

Feel the wire with your thumb and pinky.  Let the fuzz slip through all your other fingers.  

Bow Hand Cast

Keep the fingers round and open

Highway Barriers

Don't hit the barriers on the highway!  Stay straight and keep your eyes on your bow.

Antennae or Goal Posts

I will transmit your playing to the President of the United States with these antennae.  OR  Keep the scroll up so you can make a touchdown with your eyes (I might make them squarish if I'm saying this.)

Thinking Cap

Let's put on that thinking cap so you can really think about your playing.

Pointer

I can safely point and touch different areas of the violin playing to attract attention to problem posture points.

I just love that these are so soft and malleable.  I don't sell them online, but I've seen a generic version of them for sale at my craft store.  I'm sure you can google "Brain Noodles" and get some online stores as well. I hope this gave you some fun new ideas for practicing or teaching!

Pictures From Lessons

I love using my iPhone during my lessons to take pictures and videos of my students.  I also use it at home when practicing.  This is a great visual for students to see exactly what you mean when describing something.  I m have a thing with heads and I really think a student looks better when their head is tall.  Here are some before and after pictures I've taken of my students in the past year of their before and after heads.  This way they can see what I'm talking about when I ask them over and over to keep their head up.  I hope this gives you some ideas to use while you are practicing or teaching.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After