Date

5-2022

Department

School of Music

Degree

Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)

Chair

Yevgeniy Dovgalyuk

Keywords

Suzuki, Violin, Colle, Martele, Spiccato, Sautille, bow flexibility, bow hold, music education, pedagogy

Disciplines

Music

Abstract

Much is written in violin method books about developing pitch, rhythm, and posture for young violinists. It is difficult to find examples of when to teach right-hand flexibility with bow techniques such as collé, martelé, spiccato, and sautillé. Although many violin teachers throughout the country use Suzuki literature to instruct their students, there are few written instructions concerning these advanced bow techniques in the literature. Instead, Shinichi Suzuki focused his studies on philosophy and the importance of a positive teaching environment, creating a beautiful tone by playing from the heart, ear training, and helping the youngest violin students reach their full potential. He left many of the specifics of bow technique to the individual teacher. Allowing individual teachers to determine when to teach bow technique has created a wide range of differences when practices such as collé, martelé, spiccato, and sautillé are taught, which can be frustrating and confusing for teachers. This research project will survey and interview violin and string teachers to determine how and when they teach these skills and then create a timeline using the music in the Suzuki literature to give teachers guidance for instructing students in developing these skills. The information will then be presented in a lecture-recital where the exercises and information will be demonstrated and explained, while showing how a professional violinist uses these skills. This will help all teachers who use the Suzuki literature determine the best course of action for their students as they help them reach their full potential.

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