Two Ways to Use a Deck of Cards

My daughter's teacher has a studio mom who e-mails some practicing ideas each month. Tabitha Ricks gave these ideas on practicing with a deck of cards.

The Lay Down Game

The parent/teacher lays down a card every time they hear what they are looking for (i.e. ringing notes, shifting in tune, stop-stop bows, eyes on highway, straight bow, notes in tune).

The child can try to beat what (s)he got the last time or the day before.

 

Dynamics

If parent holds up an "A" (which would be "1"), child plays soft. The higher the number, the louder they play, so 10 is loudest.

This is good for scales, tonalization, and pieces. You might even ask what number they think they should start/finish at.

Thanks Tabitha!

Review Magnets

I was at a Suzuki Leadership Retreat and a friend of mine gave me a box of practice helps that she sold at institute years ago.  Inside were these little review magnets.  It's just a list of all the songs in Suzuki Book 1.  I put them on my magnet board and have my daughter move one over each time she plays one.  She's in Book 4 so reviewing Book 1 isn't happening like it was two years ago, but she still needs to go over them.  The best part is that she's playing these pieces just beautifully!  She adds dynamics or phrasing where she thinks it would sound good.  Her vibrato is ringing through all the pieces.  I'm amazed at the quality of sound that is coming out of these easy pieces.  THIS IS WHY REVIEW IS SO IMPORTANT!  She is learning to become expressive and dynamic with her playing on these beautifully easy pieces.