November 8, 2019
Hello, Riverwood Strings Parents! Wednesday was a very good Strings class at Riverwood. Attendance was very strong, and all students had their instruments. They now know how to play “Rolling Along” (#19) and how to change measure four to make it sound like “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” They also learned “Hot Cross Buns,” and wrote a ‘letter-name’ version of the piece in their book. They can play all the pieces in the book through page 9, and, if they want, they can teach themselves “Dreidel” on page 13. Please ask them to play some of these pieces for you soon. Practicing and playing at home reinforces the weekly lessons, and allows us to move forward faster. Most students were able to write in their book because 1) they had their book, and 2) they had a pencil. Unfortunately, some did not have both things. Now everyone sees that they need ALL of their supplies at every class. Please help your student make sure they have ALL of their supplies for Strings when they come on Wednesdays. Thank you! In the next few weeks, the students will be learning about the parts of the bow, including how to rosin, tighten, loosen, and clean the bow. If they are using the bow at home right now, they’re probably doing it incorrectly, learning bad habits, and possible damaging the bow. Necessary supplies for using the bow include rosin, a cleaning rag, and – for violins and violas – their shoulder rest. By the semester break, they will be using the bow on some of our songs. Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist REMIND at “rmd.at/rwstring19” or text @rwstring19 to 81010 (or 901-881-9447). www.drpalmerstrings.weebly.com If you no longer want to receive these emails, please reply with “REMOVE” at the top of the text box. Thank you.
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Parents of the Riverwood Elementary Strings Students: September 25, 2018
The Strings class at Riverwood Elementary is going well. Almost everyone now has an instrument and we are getting ready to move past the open string lessons (pages 4 & 5). If you still need a school instrument, please remember to obtain all the supplies necessary for that instrument and complete the instrument loan application. There are very few instruments still available. Of course, you can still rent or purchase one from a store. During our next class (October 2) I will be teaching the violin and viola students how to attach, adjust, and use their shoulder rest. This lesson usually takes the entire class period (especially with 45 students!). It is essential that your child brings their shoulder rest to class. In the future, students who do not have a shoulder rest will not be allowed to play their instrument with the bow. CELLO students DO NOT need to come to Strings class on October 2. ONLY violin and viola students will meet this week. This adjustment is only for one class, so we will ALL continue in full group lessons on October 9. We will add the left hand to the instruments, which means the students will learn how to play E, F-sharp, and G on the D string (pages 6-7). The students should not practice these pages yet, as poor left hand shape can hinder their progess down the road. Here is my contact information: 1. My e-mail address is: [email protected]. 2. REMIND at “rmd.at/rwstring19” or text @rwstring19 to 81010 (or 901-881-9447). 3. My website for elementary strings is www.Drpalmerstrings.weebly.com Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist If you no longer want to receive these emails, please reply with “REMOVE” at the top of the text box. Thank you. Dear Riverwood Strings Parent/Guardian: Riverwood Elementary
September 4, 2019 The second class at Riverwood went very well today Here is what we covered in class: 1. Stand Partners- ask you student what that means in Strings (it means no more than students share a music stand). 2. School Instrument Loan Applications. Some of the students turned the form in today, which was great! If the student also had their supplies with them, then they should receive a school instrument next week. I also distibuted extra applications at the end of class. I will continue to collect the forms and check for supplies for the next few weeks. Typically, if the student turns in the completed application AND has their supplies, I will issue them a school instrument at the beginning of the NEXT class. If they did not have their supplies, I keep the form (and I will check again during next class). The form is attached to this email and can also be found on my website. 3. Parts of the instrument (page 2 in the Essential Elements book). This was the bulk of the lesson. It included: which parts to touch and hold (the bouts, the neck); which parts to not operate (the tuning pegs and fine tuners); and how some of the parts are held on by tension and friction, and not by glue, screws, or tape. 4. We finished with questions from the class. Yes, even without an instrument or supplies, the students should still come to class. I teach something new during every class, and if they miss information early in the year, they will more easily fall behind later. Make sure you come and learn! I take attendance during every class. Here is my contact information: 1. My e-mail address is: [email protected]. 2. REMIND at “rmd.at/rwstring19” or text @rwstring19 to 81010 (or 901-881-9447). 3. My website is www.drpalmerstrings.weebly.com Rest assured, I will not send this amount of detail in every email, but at the beginning of the year, it’s important that we start on the same page. Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist Do you want to learn how to play the
Violin? Viola? Cello? Beginning Strings class instruction is offered at Riverwood Elementary school as part of the Shelby County Schools curriculum for fifth grade students. This class will prepare your child for the Strings and Orchestra classes which are offered at the middle and high school levels in many of the Shelby County Schools. When is it taught? Class will meet once each week, on Wednesday mornings, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Our first official class will be Wednesday morning, August 28th. What does it cost? There are no instruction fees or lesson payments. You will need to purchase–at a local music store–your own method book and supplies, which will cost about $25. Renting an instrument from one of the local music stores will cost $100-$150 for the year. The school has a limited number of instruments for loan, based on need. A student must have their supplies to be eligible for a school instrument. So how do I enroll? Complete the online application at https://drpalmerstrings.weebly.com/ You can also scan the QR code at the bottom of the page. Registration should be completed by Friday, August 23. What happens next? Dr. Palmer will collect the applications online, and email acceptance letters by August 26. During the first official class (August 28), he will make recommendations concerning the specific instrument for your child. This recommendation form will also include a list of necessary supplies, a list of local music stores, and other important information. I use REMIND.com to send occasional updates and reminders, and you can contact me through this service. Please enroll in REMIND at “rmd.at/rwstring19” or by texting @rwstring19 to 81010 or 901-881-9447. September 19, 2018
To: Parents of the Riverwood Elementary Strings Students Shoulder Rest Day was today. The students were taught several important concepts concerning proper use of the shoulder rest. Here’s a quick list that you should have your student review with you. Have them teach YOU how to do these steps. 1. To prepare to attach the shoulder rest- hold the instrument face down, on their left side, pegs behind them. 2. How to attach one shoulder rest “foot” on the “chin rest lower bout” first, then pivot the shoulder rest and slide the other “foot” until the shoulder rest securely on the lower bouts. 3. When holding the instrument with the pegs toward the sky, the shoulder rest should curve in a “frown.” 4. How to remove the shoulder rest (rubber bands can stay on, but the sponge and shoulder rest must be removed). 5. How to store and carry the shoulder rest. Unless there is a specific compartment for the shoulder rest, it must be carried with the book, and not crammed next to, or on top of, the instrument in the case. Unfortunately, we ran out of time before I could teach the students how to properly place the instrument on their shoulder. Some students were more interested in other things in the room (strumming, talking, a friend’s rosin, etc.). I was frustrated that we did not complete the lesson. If they try to fit the instrument on their shoulder this week, there is a very strong chance that they will do something incorrectly, and then it will take even longer to learn how to properly use the shoulder rest. Have your student practice attaching and removing the shoulder rest, but remind them NOT to place it on their shoulder yet. It is essential that the students now bring their shoulder rest to every class. All students are expected in Strings next week, September 26. That will be the last day to turn in a school instrument loan request form and show their supplies to me. After September 26, only students WITH instruments and materials will be allowed to participate in Strings. Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist REMIND: “rmd.at/rwstring18” or text @rwstring18 to 81010 (or 901-881-9447). WEBSITE: www.drpalmerstrings.weebly.com/ |
AuthorDr. Andrew Palmer teaches Fifth Grade Beginning Strings at four Elementary Schools, directs the Honors Orchestras at White Station High School, and travels throughout the school district as a Double Bass Specialist. Archives
November 2019
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