The Suzuki Method leaves the entire arena of teaching note reading to the indivudual teachers.The Fingerboard Workbook Series Map the Violin for Good for 20 years has been my way of teaching note reading and fingerboard geography to my Suzuki Violin students. In these workbooks, students practice key signature reading and note reading. Then drill finding notes by sight, sound and feel. I just love watching the transformation students undergo while filling out a workbook. Instead of a lightbulb going off over their head I usually see fireworks!

The Fingerboard Workbook Series Map the Violin for Good incorporates well with the Suzuki literature. As new positions are introduced in the Suzuki literature, they are studied with intensity in the workbooks. Using the workbooks to study the big picture of where the notes are in a new position frees the student up so they can focus on other aspects the musical repertoire demands in the Suzuki books.

Here is a basic outline of when to start the different workbooks:

Suzuki Violin Volume 1 - Etude:

Fingerboard Workbook for the First Position Map the Violin for Good

Suzuki Violin Volume 2 - Gavotte by Lully

or

Suzuki Violin Volume 3 - Gavotte by Martini:

Fingerboard Workbook for the Third Position Map the Violin for Good

Suzuki Violin Volume 4 - Concerto in a mi by Vivaldi:

Fingerboard Workbook for the Second Position Map the Violin for Good

Suzuki Violin Volume 5 - Concerto in g mi by Vivaldi:

Fingerboard Workbook for the Fourth Position Map the Violin for Good

The rest of the workbooks feature 5th - 11th positions. They focus on the A and E strings as well as reading all those high leger lines.

Over the course of the summer there have been a number of events to celebrate the release of The Fingerboard Workbook Series Map the Violin for Good. The events have included a party with demonstrations, live video streaming Q. & A. and an interview by Paula Bird. It's been a lot of fun and a joy to celebrate all the hard work I've put into creating the books. You can witness some of the festivities here with the party video, pictures, and interview!

Interview by Paula Bird

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