Northwestern University
Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation
Northwestern University

Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation

Stacia Spencer

Instructor: Stacia Spencer

23,516 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(207 reviews)

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(207 reviews)

12 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 10 modules in this course

Welcome to Teaching the Violin and Viola: Creating a Healthy Foundation! We will begin by covering leading philosophies and pedagogical theories about teaching children the violin and viola. The beginning stages will cover the child’s setup, posture and first left hand techniques.

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 assignment

To introduce the use of the right hand, we start by creating a “pinky house” for the child’s bow. We delve further into the violin setup and positioning through various creative exercises.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

Now we get to put it all together by slowly incorporating the different movements of the right and left hand through four different pieces.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

After good setup and posture have been established, we start teaching the fundamentals through elementary pieces in the key of A Major. We also get to learn our first scale!

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review

To transition to using the full bow, we introduce the “adult “ bow hold and a series of exercises to extend the bow stroke. Pieces include Long, Long Ago, O Come, Little Children, and Butterfly, Flutterby.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

We can now introduce the key of D Major. Students learn the D major scale along with pieces such as Bach Musette and Hushabye Lullaby.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

When we progress to the G Major scale and arpeggio, we start adding etudes and more advanced technical concepts. Pieces covered include Minuet and Happy Farmer.

What's included

6 videos1 reading1 assignment

To teach note reading, we will cover the best-practice teaching techniques for note reading and vibrato. We will also explore group teaching, group games, and group dynamics.

What's included

8 videos1 reading

Now that our students are getting more advanced, we can begin to cover our favorite exercises for the older student. Exercises include "Poof Bow" and the "Invisible Violin."

What's included

5 videos1 reading1 assignment1 peer review

In our final segment, we will learn from top pedagogues Mimi Zweig and Roland and Almita Vamos in a master class setting.

What's included

2 videos1 reading

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.9 (24 ratings)
Stacia Spencer
Northwestern University
1 Course23,516 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

4.7

207 reviews

  • 5 stars

    84.54%

  • 4 stars

    8.21%

  • 3 stars

    4.83%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    2.41%

Showing 3 of 207

JH
5

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2018

AK
5

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2015

ML
5

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2020

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions