You are about to embark on an exciting journey! This concept of musical instruction is unique and promises to be a rich experience.

Playing the violin is an exciting adventure! Playing music that glorifies God is even more exciting! I would encourage you to be patient with yourself and persevere . . . it will be a blessing to you!

I primarily use the Suzuki violin method (a concept based on rote learning in the early stages in order to establish technique and listening skills). Children learn quickly how to produce a good tone and to experience the satisfaction of success on the instrument.

The focal point of this course is not only learning to play the instrument, but also a means of disciplining children in the Christian faith.

Based on the progressive development of technical skills used by Suzuki, this program uses praise songs and the great hymns of the church to achieve that goal.

Through the music, a solid foundation of the faith is taught. Music penetrates deeply into the mind and soul and is a powerful tool to establish the values that Jesus teaches. Studies have been done that show the importance of music throughout the Bible . . . especially the Psalms. God created music to bless us and to be used in worshiping Him. A high calling is to learn to play skillfully on an instrument and to serve God through that discipline.

I will first introduce you to the instrument and give you some tips on how to treat it kindly and care for it well—watch my welcome video.

It’s important to begin with an instrument that has been adjusted well. It doesn’t need to be expensive or of a professional quality by any means, but it does need to be easy for you to tune and set up well for playing ease.

As part of this course through these first few weeks, I’m giving you some recommendations regarding purchase or rental and instructions on how to measure for the appropriate-size violin. You will find the documents: “Read This,” “How to Buy a Violin,” and “I Have My New Violin” in the Week 1 lesson.

Tuning the instrument is very important (you will sound much better!). It takes some practice, so again I would ask you to be patient. You and your parent will watch my Week 1 video to learn how to tune!

You will very soon be ready to play!

I want to thank you in advance for taking this course. I would love to help your students continue their journey of learning to make beautiful music on the violin. If your student would like to continue taking lessons with me via Skype, please contact me at the email below. I would be happy to offer you a reduced rate as a SchoolhouseTeachers.com member.

You can reach me at:  fiddler10@msn.com

Video-based instruction with downloadable music sheets.

• Lesson 1: Introduction
• Lesson 2: How to Tune Your Violin
• Lesson 3: Applying Tape to the Fingerboard
• Lessons 4-5: Holding the Violin
• Lesson 6: A Major Scale – Up
• Lesson 7: A Major Scale – Down
• Lesson 8: Jesus Is My Savior
• Lesson 9: Word Patterns
• Lesson 10: Twinkle
• Lesson 11: Jesus Is My Sa-vior
• Lesson 12: Sing Praises—Shout Praises
• Lesson 13: I Will Worship God through Music
• Lesson 14: I Will—Sing Praises—Sing Praises—Sing Praises
• Lesson 15: “Twinkle” Theme
• Lesson 16: Mary Had a Little Lamb
• Lesson 17: Mary Had a Little Lamb
• Lesson 18: God Is So Good
• Lesson 19: God Is So Good
• Lesson 20: D String
• Lesson 21: Twinkle: D String
• Lesson 22: Mary Had a Little Lamb: D String
• Lesson 23: God Is So Good: D String
• Lesson 24: Twinkle
• Lesson 25: “Twinkle” Theme
• Lesson 26: Mary Had a Little Lamb
• Lesson 27: Joy to the World
• Lesson 28: Joy to the World
• Lesson 29: Joy to the World
• Lesson 30: Frere Jacques
• Lesson 31: God Is Faithful
• Lesson 32: God Is Faithful as a Round

This course counts as a music elective credit. Students who complete all 32 lessons can earn 0.5 academic credit.