The second violins missed the D sharp again. It seems like every time you hit that note, it’s out of tune. You go to the piano and play the note for them. They play it back, still out of tune.
Teaching Intonation Part 4: Finger Patterns
Teaching Intonation Part 3: Pitch Matching
Any intonation training needs to start with pitch matching. Until students can match unison pitches, they’ll never be able to tune their instruments, let alone play in tune as an ensemble. Pitch matching should be one of the first things
Teaching Intonation Part 2: Teaching Students What to Listen For
“Listen!” yells the conductor as the students struggle to find the right pitch. It’s true; listening is important, but what exactly do we listen to? Do our students know what we mean when we tell them to listen? Do we
Teaching Intonation Part 1: Keys to Success
We’ve all experienced it. You’ve felt the frustration that comes when the violas missed the C sharp yet again, even though you’ve gone over it at least a dozen times. You’ve cringed through those elementary or middle school concerts –
What Makes You Happy?
A little while ago I heard an interview on a podcast. The interviewer was talking to a well-known fashion designer and asking what initiated all her success. Her answer was that back in 2018, instead of making New Year’s resolutions