Be nice to your teacher

So it's almost Christmas...in fact it's Christmas Eve-Eve! I have no idea how Christmas snuck up so quickly this year.  They say the older you get, the more time flies...but come on...I'm 25...if I can't keep up now, I'm pretty much screwed.  I found out tomorrow was Christmas eve when the church I play for every year called me.  We discussed the music, rehearsal time, mass time, etc...then I said "See you in a few days" and they corrected me and said "You mean, see you tomorrow?"  ...uhhh sure, that's what I meant.  Ugh.  


So I was one of those crazy people fighting traffic today running around trying to snag some last minute gifts.  I had some good luck though!!! A ton of stores at the mall had 50% off EVERYTHING!  Let's just say I'll get the best sister of the year award once Christmas comes and goes...and I will rip off the red part where it shows the reduced price so my brothers think I spent the full amount.  Good thing they don't read my blog!!!!! Ha-ha-ha (evil laugh.)

Anyways...

Being that it's the holiday season and all...most people, I assume, are in the mood to simply be kind to one another (then again, if you were driving in Robinson Town Center today, you'd probably beg to differ...but just hear me out):

The point of this post is quite simple, really.  To put it as straight forwardly as possible:  It's really important to be kind to your teacher. Not just your private music teacher, but any teacher for that matter.  There are countless reasons why I emphasize this!  For example, in college, if I'm teeter-tottering between an A and a B (which I have countless, previous times,) I swear...the fact that I was always so respectful to my professors is what got me the "A" in the end.  

I understand that with private music lessons, such as in my case with me being a private violin instructor, one could argue that it's not that important to be overly kind to your teacher.  You might think, "Sure, it's nice to be friendly...but how does it benefit me to be nice to someone not giving me a grade?"  Here's why:

If you are a sweet student, your instructor will have your back.  It's really as plain and simple as that.  Let me give you an example:

I had two full-sized violins in my possession...both of which were Stradivarius imitations.  They were being sold for an amazing deal, and their sound  quality was absolutely incredible. What type of student do you think I'd want to let know about this awesome deal? A sweet student with a good attitude or a student with a poor attitude?

Another example:  I have different opportunities throughout the year to include my students in different functions that benefit them greatly as violinists.  For example...a restaurant asked me to play for their work Christmas party. I decided to invite a student to play a few Christmas duets along with me to give them a taste of what it's like playing in the "real world."  Afterwards, we enjoyed a complimentary buffet and received free gifts.  I did not invite the student of mine with the most talent...I invited the one with good talent, but an even better attitude. That day, alone, made that person a better violinist.  It was fun, too!

Yet another example:  It's pretty much a guarantee your instructor knows people who knows people.  They might know a judge in an orchestra.  They might know the dean of a university you're applying to. Politics is everywhere, unfortunately, and in the music world that is no exception.  Most of it is about talent, but it's also about who you know and the connections you make.  As long as you're respectful and kind to everyone who comes your way, you'll be fine.  

The list of "examples" is endless.  

If you're a kind and respectful student, then your teacher...if they have any ounce of a soul and care about what they do...will be willing to bend over backwards in your favor. Trust me.  I will go out of my way for any student as long as they are kind and have a positive attitude.  

I will get into the teacher-student relationship in much further detail in the near future...but in the interim, trust me when I say this: It is worth it for yourself to simply be nice.  Be pleasant! Have a good attitude during your lessons.  Have a good attitude OUTSIDE of your lessons...because believe me, many times, your words, actions, (or lack there-of actions,) come back around.  Don't gossip.  

Always be kind to your instructor...it will only benefit YOU!  





Til next time,
~Givi Girl

Play when people ask you to

So I'm sitting in my class right now...and it's the LAST ONE BEFORE THE SEMESTER IS OVER!!!!!!!!!! #Relief #Finally #Celebrate #Mybrainisfried ...ok I'm done with the hashtags and I promise I will try my best to not get in that habit on this blog.  There's just something about hashtags that are addicting.  It's like...how many words can you use via hashtag to support whatever statement you made?  And then, once you start, you can't stop!  Anyways...I did my presentation for this course, and now I just have to kick back and pretend to listen to my classmates go up.  It's the last day, give me a break!

When it comes to thinking about topics to write about...it's extremely easy to do.  There are so many cool things to ramble on about when it comes to music, and a lot of the stories (in my opinion) are not only interesting but informative as well.  I would say I wish I read blogs from violinists while I was just starting out...but that was back in the stone age when the internet didn't exist.  My point? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY KNOWLEDGE!!!!! It's only going to benefit you!!!!! I had to figure these things out on my own (with the help of my awesome violin instructor and parents growing up, of course.) 

I lost all of my grandparents.  My grandma was clinging on but just couldn't make it this year.  Her passing was sort of unexpected.  Actually, completely unexpected.  When I lived in Buffalo, she and my grandpa often came from Pittsburgh to attend my concerts (see the post "Your family should always be there to support you.")

Has anyone ever asked you what your favorite childhood memory was? Or did you ever ponder that thought yourself?

I have different, special, memories with different, special people...as I'm sure you do, too.  Memories with friends, for instance, are probably much different than memories with your first crush or your favorite uncle.  Everyone has a different role in your life, and I'd like to share my Grandpa's role.

When it comes to my violin journey...I often think of my grandpa.  My gramps was the sweetest and softest souled guy I've ever known.  However, he was very quiet and didn't say much (sometimes I wonder how he's related to me with my big mouth!) Therefore, when he did speak, I listened.  My fondest memory of my gramps was how he'd always go out of his way to ask me to play my violin for him.  Next to my mom and my instructor, he was my biggest fan.  I remember how he was just so content sitting there and watching me practice in front of him.  I loved the fact he asked me to play, and I'm so happy I played for him. The violin brought my grandpa and I closer thus creating our special bond, and now one of my dearest memories. 

Your loved ones won't always be there.  People who truly appreciate your talent and dedication aren't easy to find.  So, when they do cross your path, play for them.  It doesn't matter if it's a total stranger or your grandpa.  It might not seem like a big deal then, but those times might turn into one of your fondest memories.  I look forward to the day I can play my violin for my grandpa again. 

<3

Til next time
~Givi Girl

Don't hurt yourself

Heyyy e'rbody!!! 

What an exciting week.  Got a handful of new students.  First lessons are always so interesting.  I never know what to expect, and first impressions are always so unpredictable!  I guarantee I get just as excited (if not more) for a new student learning how to play than they themselves do!  It's always so exciting to have our first lesson....whether it's a young child or an adult...and picture teaching them a couple years from now.  I think big for all of my students, and it's usually pretty easy to tell which ones will go far.  I'm not ALWAYS right on that first hunch...but so far, I'd say my accuracy is about 90%.  Maybe I should start charging people for my psychic abilities and let them know where they will be in the book a year from now.  Lol. Or not.

Moving on...

Learning and instrument is like playing a sport in many ways.  It requires a lot of practice, discipline, teamwork in many cases, and...it can cause injuries if you're not careful.  You have to make sure that if any part of your muscles start to feel tense, crampy, or any other sort of pain...stop playing and stretch out your muscles. Think about it.  When you play, you're putting pressure on your joints, back (IF YOU'RE SITTING UP STRAIGHT WITH GOOD POSTURE, THAT IS!), arms, shoulders, lungs (if you're a wind player), and more. You need to give these muscles a break!  

 It's also important to WARM UP your fingers before playing anything crazy.  Do a few, slow scales.  Do some slow vibrato warm-ups. Ease into your playing.



A lot of times, half way through hour lessons, I give my students (especially the younger ones) a quick "stretching break."  We shake out our hands...roll our shoulders forward and backward...do push-ups...etc. Remember: when you play your instrument, everything must be relaxed.  This includes the back, shoulders, chest, etc.  Not only is that a safety issue to prevent injury, but it will produce the best playing!

Practicing can also be harmful to your body if it becomes too stressful. Stress is not good...too much of it is cancerous!  If you're working on something overly challenging and it becomes extremely frustrating, stop and give your mind a break. It's not worth making yourself crazy over. Flip back a few pages in your book and play a piece or exercise that you've already mastered.  I also suggest leaving the music and returning to it later.  

It's amazing what your brain can absorb overnight!  Have you ever studied for a big exam, and found a lot of the information you thought you'd never memorize actually stuck in your brain overnight?  The same goes with playing!  Try doing that with the challenging exercises.  Do a bit each day...and practice during the evening before bed.  It will gradually become easier if you just put the effort in and are consistent.

For more information on how to stretch properly, check out: http://www.musicianshealth.com/stretches.htm  

Til next time,
~Givi Girl