New Class

After much contemplation, we've decided it's time to pick up violin the CDEFGABC way. I don't know what you call it; to me, it's the notes reading way. I think it should be all right to have traditional lessons alongside Suzuki method, well, let's just discover along the way. 

We were taking toddler's music classes at Kawai since she was 30 month-old. It didn't stop abruptly, the group music module had run its course and ended just after CNY this year. But for Kiki; who had been going there every Saturday after Ballet for the past 2 and a half years, the termination was kind of sudden. She misses her teacher very much and would sometimes shed a tear when she realises she isn't going to see her former teacher. So sometimes, we still pop by to say hello, and teacher Maya sweetly welcomes a warm hug now and then. 

We are on a one-month trial for the individual violin lesson as the teacher will decide if Kiki is ready as the usual age to start is around 7. (Keyboard/Piano; 5)

The school explained that they are with Trinity Guildhall, and the teacher will coach students in both theory and techniques; eventually prepare them for board exams. 

For a start, the violin teacher was both impressed with, and appalled by Kiki at the same time. 

We played Perpetual Motion, and the teacher went; "Good,... good..... good!"

She was impressed with her memory and presumably the few things she imparted were quickly learned. 

However, she was appalled that we were using a violin that she said, is too small for Kiki. She said it in a stern but most mellowy voice; to "Please get for her a new violin. This is a state of emergency. She is overdue for a change, she needs either a 1/4 or 1/2, if you can, please get 1/4". I don't know how she could say "state of emergency" without raising her voice but I surely detected the urgency. After ten minutes, she repeats; "It is very important that you get the violin, this is dangerous. She is dangerously developing a wrong habit if the violin is of the wrong size. Look at her elbow. Can you get it as soon as possible tomorrow please."

Erm..... yes of course. Not tomorrow but surely this weekend.

I was very puzzled because we had checked with the other teacher and she says we can change if we want but there's no hurry. 

So anyway. 

The new teacher also asked us to remove all the clips and gadgets that were fixed to the bow. She says those are fine if Kiki was 3 and a half but it was appalling that we were still not doing it the "proper way".  I could see the "anguish" in her. Perhaps she doesn't agree to Suzuki but did not want to comment? I don't know, but surely she was a tad distressed. Then she asked Kiki to play Twinkle; after which, she commented; "Good! Do you memorise everything?". I can't read her well, I really do not know what she meant but from the look of it, she would be coaching the little girl for a while. She asked me to sit in the session and do some exercises with Kiki when at home.

Erm.... okay... let's do it then. (I thought to myself).