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FiddleQuest Practice Club

FiddleQuest Practice Club

Foundational Ideas Blog

My coping strategy for boredom

Life before Notation and Smartphones

The most important ingredient in teaching

How long does it take to learn to play the violin?

Step One For a Great Trip: Bring your Fiddle

Skill inflation for violinists

Theoretical and Applied Learning

Who Are My Youngest Students?

The Pursuit of Financial and Musical Wealth

Do Violinists Have Control Issues?

The Problem of Inertia

The Most Important Question: Why am I doing this?

Serving people who are hungry for music

Keeping classical music alive

Using adventures to motivate young violinists

How violin students can succeed without practicing

The outlook for recreational music in a digital age

Teaching sight-reading to students with strong ears

When (and if) to teach sight-reading

How notation can help violinists

Head injuries in music

How important is routine for learning music?

Music lessons and when to call it quits

How to practice when you don’t feel it

Making the most of the first year of violin

Teaching focus and presence in young students

Getting the most out of education

How do we deal with challenges and discomfort?

Revisiting memories through sounds and smells

Reminiscing with my mom about music

Growing up with a common songbook

What if my child won't practice?

Using music to connect with people. not impress them.

Recreational vs. Performance Etiquette

Quitting the violin. Who’s responsible?

#6 - Where Motivation Theory Meets Reality: Activities

#5 - The 5 Stages of Development of a Violin Player

#4 - The 3 Internal Needs of Violin Students

#3 - The 3 people who support violin students

#2 - The 2 Types of Motivation for Violin Students. Use one with caution.

#1 - The Fundamental Obstacle of Violin Students

Virtuosity is not the determining factor for how happy you will be with your music

Asking students “What is a good day?”

Unexpected lessons during covid times

Can violinists be more like violists?

The importance of teaching kids how to jam

Rich, passionate sounds come from motivated violinists

...on the many aspects of teaching the fiddle, from personal stories to specific tips on how to nurture healthy motivation in students.

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