Purple Violins Anyone?
This most recent issue of Strings Magazine really got to me. They seem to be really promoting a whole new vibe with this issue. The message seems to be: Buy purple violins, go rock and roll with your violin, dance while you play. The cover of the issue is adorned by a new rock violinist with a pixie, cutesy hairdo who dances while she plays, does UTube videos and has more UTube hits than even Itzhak Perlman. Another article in the magazine, the Top Ten Things That a New Strings Teacher Should Know, the author said that we should remember that not everyone is there to expand their mind and be part of a deeper, meaningful experience. I was struck by what they are trying to say. They are trying to modernize us; lets get into the 21st century. Let’s do some improvisation, electric and painted violins are cool, loosen up baby.
So, let’s address these one at a time. Painted violins are cheap, at least the ones most people buy. The article stresses that maybe this is all the student can afford and please don’t insult their instrument because it will hurt their feelings and then they will want to quit. The maker of these painted gems says they are good enough to learn on and for $75.00 they can get a violin and start playing. But you know what? It is not good enough to learn on. It does not stay in tune and despite what people say, students can tell the difference. They know when it sounds right and when it doesn’t. I’m willing to be a modern girl. I can start my students colorful violins to get them playing and engaged. When they start progressing and auditioning for District orchestras and such, then they will see that all of the violins are the same color and they can change then. They can’t learn on a crappy instrument. Why not make an instrument that works? I don’t care if it’s purple with pink polka dots but it has to stay in tune and not make my life a living nightmare when I’m spending 10 minutes of a 30-minute lesson trying to tune an instrument that won’t stay in tune. It’s just too frustrating and it’s a huge waste of instructional time.
As far as the whole rock and roll violins with improvisation and such. I am willing and able to teach that as well. But you have to give me long enough periods in which to teach it, not these microscopic 30-minute periods where the actual playing time is 20 minutes if you are really lucky. I need to have time to teach them the basics as well as the improvisation. And as far as dancing goes, my mother was a choreographer. I can teach them some moves. But they need to learn the basics first. Besides I don’t know what violin player can run and leap around while they play and still sound good. Especially when they are eight or nine. Geez. Give me a break. It is important to make it sound good. When they watch this girl on u tube they are going to think “wow. I can bounce around like that and sound good too,” and that’s not true. She is over dubbed and probably sounds way different in person, missing notes and screeching. The talent show she was on stated as much. She is probably everyone’s hero.
So give us teachers the time we need to teach and we’ll get as modern as you want. Give me time to teach the basics and then we can expand. I know that some kids are just in there to be with their friends. But I still need to try and teach them the right way. What kind of teacher would I be if I let them play it wrong? I know I need to try and make it fun for them. Or I could focus on the kids that can and just let the other kids come along for the ride.
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