Sound Mind and Body: Approaches for Teaching a Mature Sound

Surface-level sound? Problems getting to the frog? Crooked bow? When learning how to have a mature viola sound, some students learn best from picturing an image, while others need to physically feel or experience the sensation. What is a teacher to do? Learn two different approaches from two different viola professors that will customize your instruction based on their learning style.

We all know that teaching students to have a more mature sound can be a challenge. There are so many complex elements that go into the magic formula for creating an artistic sound: aural perception, body balance and support, general bowing technique, bow distribution, controlling contact point, vibrato, arm weight and leverage. When teaching all of these subjects, some students respond better to imagery, while others need to physically feel the sensation in order to grasp the concept. Essentially this is the “mind vs. the body” adapted to the student’s individual learning style.

As two viola professors with strengths in each area, we will team up to give teachers a toolbox of new ideas for more fluency communicating to both visual and kinethetic learners. In this session we will take turns teaching common sound production and bowing issues using imagery to suit a visual learner and then again using props and physical motions for the kinesthetic learner. These demonstrations and ideas are applicable for all instruments and levels and could be adapted for private, group, and classroom settings. Leave the session with fresh ideas that will improve your students’ sound production and enjoyment in learning.