Lessons are available both online and in-person at the studio, depending on student need.
In Person and Online Suzuki Violin Lessons.
Start fresh from any age or enhance your talent to performance level with expert Suzuki Violin Lessons from a Master in Suzuki Violin and Viola.
Learn from the comfort of your home, or at the Virginia Academy of Violin.
Text or call now to Schedule Lessons!
703-595-5200
Weekly Schedule:
Monday through Friday
9am to 8pm
Lessons Online, or here:
2938 Nob Hill Ct.
Alexandria, VA 22314
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What is the Suzuki Method of Violin Lessons?
“Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.”
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- Shinichi Suzuki
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Shinichi Suzuki was a violin virtuoso who developed a novel way to teach music more effectively.
Suzuki's observation was that all Japanese children learn to speak Japanese. Is there a way to duplicate this success to another language, that of playing the violin?
The Suzuki Method takes the conditions that ensure that all children master their native language and applies them in the context of learning to play the violin. It is the best way to learn the violin, as well as viola, cello, bass, piano, harp, recorder and guitar.
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Why are Suzuki Violin Lessons so Successful?
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Learn the language
Children learn every aspect of the language of violin, including:
accent, syntax, pronunciation, enunciation, tone, grammar, and inflection.
start earlY
Babies begin hearing before they are born. Children are expert learners, and the younger they are, the more neural connections they are making. Studies show development of the brain and personality by studying music early.
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suzuki parent
Music, like language, is fundamentally about communication. Parental enthusiasm, support, encouragement, interaction and guidance, based on what is learned from the Suzuki violin teacher, is the natural way to go.
MASTER SMALL STEPS
All the skills of violin playing can be broken down into small steps. An experienced Suzuki teacher will tailor the steps to be appropriate to the needs and aptitudes of the student.
Repetition
Skills are learned through consistent and correct repetition of an action with careful attention to feedback. For a violinist this includes sound, feel, internal responses and external responses.
Review
We keep playing the pieces we've learned while we're learning new ones. This allows us to develop new skills in an easy song, while developing learned skills to greater levels of mastery and sophistication. It also builds a large repertoire of songs that can be played, and enhances memory.​
Group Classes
Music is fundamentally about communication. Suzuki Violin lessons benefit from both individual and group lessons. Groups help with Ensemble playing skills, Listening, Leading, and Following, as well as having musical friends and feeling connected to and contribute to others.
Music Reading
Just as with language, reading is introduced only after the student has got the basics of playing in good shape. In addition to reading music, we listen intently appreciating the:
style, harmony, melody, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, pacing, and tempo.
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What are the benefits of playing a musical instrument?Playing a musical instrument offers countless opportunities for a whole world of experiences. First of all, it's just fun! Then there's meeting other people who love music and other cultural pursuits. You may find yourself traveling to a musical retreat or a cultural center of the world. Students also develop: Coordination Confidence Memory Self-Control Poise Listening Skills Emotional Intelligence Goal Setting and Achieving How to be Prepared Working with others Leading and Following To be Expressive Concert Manners Pride of Accomplishment Sense of Purpose Emotional Connection Many scientific studies have proven that: Music students have higher SAT scores, both verbal and math Music student improves spatial-temporal reasoning Music Majors have the highest rate of admittance to medical schools The corpus collosum (which facilitates communication between both sides of the brain) is significantly larger in musicians than non-musicians. ...Did you know that Albert Einstein and Thomas Jefferson were both violinists? Playing an instrument is amazingly enriching. And the main thing is still that it's fun!
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How do Online Lessons work?Answer coming.
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Do you Accept every Student?The first lesson, in person or virtually, is an opportunity to gauge our compatibility to determine if we're a good fit to book more lessons from there!
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Where can I get my Violin or Viola?Don't!! Let's size you properly, first. The correct size and proper setup are extremely important. If the student is a child or less than 5'5″, the teacher will determine the best size at the first lesson and you will be given information about violin shops in the area, or how to find quality shops in your area. Do not go to a general music store. Do not buy some cheap thing on the internet. They do not know how to set up instruments. For optimum playability and beautiful sound the bridge, sound post and pegs must be expertly cut to fit each individual instrument plus the dozens of other details such as the length of the tail adjuster, shape and planing of the fingerboard, etc. And we haven't even started on the bow. I actually spent three years working in a violin shop doing all these types of repairs and I don't do them on my own instruments. I rely on experts who practice these skills every day.
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Do you mind if I bring my other kid to your lesson?Not at all! I like little kids! Many babies and toddlers have come to lessons and absorbed lots of good stuff from just being in the environment without being the slightest distraction to the teacher, student or parent. Of course, you will have to decide whether the student is getting enough of a benefit when the younger child causes distractions and how important it is for the student to have violin time be special for him or her and mom or dad.
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Is it okay to take a phone call during my child's lesson?No, thank you!
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As a parent, what if I don't have any musical training, can I still help my child?"Absolutely! Everything you will need to know will be covered in the lessons. You should also do some reading, such as: Teaching from the Balance Point by Ed Kreitman and Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki. Most of what they cover has to do with the Suzuki approach to learning the violin. The specifics of violin and musical skills will very, very clear in lessons.
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What is Your Calendar for Recitals this Year?​School Year Lessons: Tuesday, September 2 – Monday, November 24: 12 Weeks of Lessons (Note: we do have lessons Monday November 24, which makes up for Labor Day on September 1) Tuesday November 25- Sunday November 29: Thanksgiving Break, No Lessons Monday, December 1 – Monday, December 22: 3 Weeks of Lessons (Note: we do have lessons Monday, December 22, which makes up for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25) Tuesday, December 23 – Sunday, January 3: Winter Break, No Lessons Monday, January 5 – Friday, March 27: 12 Weeks of Lessons January 25, 2015: Recital Monday, March 30 – Sunday, April 5: Spring Break, No Lessons Monday, April 6 – Friday June 19: 11 Weeks of Lessons ​ Monday Students: Please note that the only Mondays we don't have lessons are Labor Day, Memorial Day, the second Monday of Winter Break, and the Monday of Spring Break ​ Summer Lessons: Monday, June 22 – Friday, August 28: 8 Summer Lessons, to be arranged according to mutual availability. ​ Recitals: November 16, 2014. Knollwood Community Church, 10002 Coffers Wood Rd. Burke, VA 22015
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What if I have another Question?Contact Jim Ling! Email: JamesLingViolin@gmail.com​ Call or Text: 703-595-5200