This past weekend I had the fun opportunity to attend the ASTA Conference in my hometown. I met a lot of great people who stopped by my
Shoppe as well as others who were selling their own products. One such product I invested in is the
Rockin Rosin which is so fun to give away to my students. They love rosining their bow with a fun-shaped rosin!
My biggest find, however, was a cute little mouse slap bracelet called the
Multi-Mouse. We call him Mr. Mouse over here and he's been a constant tool in our practicing this week. I think this is a great little toy that can be used in a variety of ways from the smallest little pre-twinklers to the older students learning shifting and vibrato.
According to the creator, the
multi-mouse has many wonderful uses:
1. Bowing arm path
2. Left wrist position
3. Left-hand shape
4. Introduce Shifting
5. Vibrato Technique
I decided to test this out with my own kids and here are some of the pictures!
What really intrigued me was using this to help keep my daughter's wrist open when she plays. She often plays with a "pancake hand" and I'm constantly reminding her to open her wrist. Mr. Mouse is a fun way to practice with an open wrist. What I've also noticed this week is that because she's not collapsing her wrist her low 2s are MUCH better in tune!
Mr. Mouse sits on the chair and waits his turn.
Even my 2-year-old who is doing pre-twinkle exercises is having fun with Mr. Mouse.
I thought it might give you a better idea of how I use this little guy if you saw him in action!
Here's a link to the video that the creator, Sharon, put together.
P,s, thanks to my 2-year-old, 5-year-old and 8-year-old for demonstrating in the video!
