5th Strings Newsletter November 2018

Dear Parents,

This is the November newsletter for 5th Grade Intermediate Strings class.

(If this email is not displaying correctly, you can access this information here)

More course information can be found in the syllabus

1. How to use this email
   • You may need to select "Load More" and/or "Show images" to make the embedded sheet music display.
   • Links to all this information can be found on my homepage, www.mrhunker.com
   • All the PDF, MP3, PNG and HTML links and media work on my android phone. Contact me if you have trouble.
   • Press the "back" button on your phone/tablet when you are done accessing/listening-to a file–to return to this page.
   • A small amount of focused, at-home practice will help improve the performance of your child.
   • Your cooperation in helping to motivate your child to practice is appreciated!
2. Homework for November
   • Learn to play all the songs in the Winter Concert Repertoire table, below.
   • This seems like a long list, but the songs contain simple, repetitive material.
   • We are/will-be working on all the music in class.
   • All songs can be found in students' binders.
   • Here are links to the complete music: violin viola cello
   • In the table below, Violin/Viola/Cello links take you to the page where that song is printed.
   • Slow/Medium/Fast links take you to mp3 background audio for the song.
   • Most of the recordings have a short intro (Mighty Fortress starts right away).

Table 1: winter-repertoire

Name	Page	Violin	Viola	Cello	Slow	Medium	Fast
A a a, der Winter ist Da	17	violin	viola	cello	60bpm	90bpm	120bpm
Neige Blanche	20	violin	viola	cello	60bpm	90bpm	120bpm
Sweetly the Swan Sings	21	violin	viola	cello	40bpm	60bpm	90bpm
Row Your Boat	21	violin	viola	cello	40bpm	60bpm	90bpm
Oh, How Lovely	21	violin	viola	cello	40bpm	60bpm	90bpm
Komm und lasst	22	violin	viola	cello	60bpm	90bpm	120bpm
La Cloche	22	violin	viola	cello	40bpm	60bpm	90bpm
Eines Schickt	23	violin	viola	cello	60bpm	72bpm	90bpm
Lullaby	38	violin	viola	cello	40bpm	60bpm	80bpm
Mighty Fortress	39	violin	viola	cello	40bpm	60bpm	90bpm

1. November playing test.
   • Mighty Fortress: Play all of line 3.
     • Use new note G#
     • Start the line upbow (push from the tip toward the frog).
   • Lullaby: Play all of line 1.
     • Use upbow slur on B to A
     • Play with correct rhythm.
2. How to Practice
   • Entire books are written on the subject. I will mention just a few strategies.
   • Point to the notes and say the finger numbers or the note-names (prior to playing the song).
   • Practice the rhythm using ta-ah, ta, ti-ti syllables (prior to playing the song).
   • Find patterns in the music (for example, groups of notes on the same string, or parts of a scale.
   • Practice slowly to avoid making mistakes.
   • When a mistake is made, find out what is difficult about the section, then practice the hard part slowly.
   • If necessary, use a pencil to write note names or fingerings below/above the notes.
3. General Information
   • If your child still does not have 3-hole-punched music, that means they have not brought a 3-hole binder to class.
   • Anyone who struggled with the October playing test (D Major Pyramid Scale) should continue practicing it at home.
   • Last Month's D-Major-Pyramid Scale test is printed, below.
4. Coming in December
   • G major Scale 2 Octaves. We will start learning this in class, soon.
   • Area Concert Repertoire will be handed out and Concert dates will be announced.
   • We will be giving an in-school, during-school-hours, Winter concert. Invitations will be sent home in late November.

Best wishes,

Mr. Hunker