How do you transition a Suzuki-method violin student to the fiddle?
My son (7) plays the violin, and has been doing so since he was 4. He does enjoy it but lately his interest has started to wain. He has an interest in bluegrass, and Celtic music; most of which has a fiddle part. I am wondering what is the best way to have him start playing the fiddle?
His current teacher uses the Suzuki method and is very good at what she does, but she only knows classical violin. That means we would have to do this at home. I do not play a string instrument, but can read music, and often help him with his lessons.
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My wife is a Suzuki violin teacher and had the following response:
First of all, I would encourage you to talk to your teacher about your child's interest and consider something like a summer "fiddle camp". Some Suzuki summer institutes include optional fiddle classes for students who have reached an appropriate level of playing (usually end of Suzuki Book 1, something like that). Mark O'Connor (a fantastic fiddler) runs fiddle camps around the country for kids, and he has also developed a beginning fiddle method that could be great supplementary material for Suzuki.
Traditional fiddling and classical Suzuki can be very complementary, and being able to do one can really improve your ability in the other. I would encourage my own students to do both if they were interested. An important thing is to not alienate your current Suzuki teacher and involve her in the decision process, since she is your primary music instructor.
Are there any friendly bluegrass groups that would welcome a 7 year old coming to play along? I started drums in a local friendly brass band at about 8 and am still playing now, in many styles.
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