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Suzuki Book 1 — Song of the Wind (Violin Play Along & Lesson)

Hi everyone! Joel Kennedy here from Kennedy Violins, and today we’re diving into Song of the Wind from Suzuki Book 1. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know I choose each week’s playalong piece by throwing a dart at my dartboard. This week, the dart landed on Song of the Wind, a great beginner piece that’s perfect for developing foundational violin skills.

Here's the PDF if you want to follow along!

Let’s jump into it!

Playing "Song of the Wind"

First, I’ll play through the piece without a metronome, and then I’ll play it again with the metronome set to 86 BPM. This means that every beat equals a quarter note, and since we have eighth notes in the piece, we’ll be playing two notes per beat.

Playing with the Metronome

I like using a metronome to help build timing and accuracy. At 86 BPM, this is a comfortable speed for most beginners, but feel free to slow it down or speed it up depending on your practice needs.

Time Signature and Key Signature

Before we start practicing, let’s break down the basics:

  • Time Signature: This piece is in 2/4 time—two beats per measure, with the quarter note getting the beat.
  • Key Signature: We have three sharps (F#, C#, G#), meaning we’re in the key of A major.

These sharps affect a few key finger positions, especially your first and second fingers.

Left-Hand Finger Placement

  • F# (First finger on E string): The first finger on the E string goes into the same position as it does on the other strings, which simplifies things a bit.
  • C# (Second finger on A string): Normally, the second finger would be placed low, touching the first finger. But because of the sharp, we raise the second finger so it touches the third finger.

Articulation: Mastering Staccato

One important aspect of this piece is the staccato articulation, indicated by dots under the notes. These dots mean the notes should be played short and detached, but still on the string (staccato).

The key to playing staccato notes well is to control your bow. After each note, stop your bow so that each note is short but precise. Practice slowly at first, making sure your up bows and down bows are the same length, and then gradually speed it up.

Here’s an example of how it sounds:

  • Legato: Notes are connected and smooth.
  • Staccato: Notes are short and detached, with a clear separation between each one.

Finger Retention

In the third measure of the first line, you’ll see a “1” with a line after it. This means you should keep your first finger down while playing the following notes. This helps maintain a solid hand frame and makes it easier to move through the notes smoothly.

Here’s how it works: If you keep your first finger down, your hand stays stable, which is a great habit to develop as you play more advanced pieces. This will prevent your fingers from flying all over the place, helping you stay in control of your hand position.

Alternate Fingering Options

In the second line, third measure, there’s a choice between playing an open E string or using your fourth finger on the A string to play the same note.

  • My recommendation: Practice with the open E first to get comfortable, then switch to using the fourth finger.
  • The more you use your fourth finger, the stronger it will get! While the fourth finger is often a bit weaker, avoiding it will only make it weaker over time. So, use it as much as possible to build strength and precision.

Wrapping Up: What’s Next?

That’s it for Song of the Wind! Now, it’s time to throw the dart and see what next week’s playalong will be. And… it looks like we’ll be playing Vivaldi’s Concerto in A Minor (first movement) from Suzuki Book 4.

So, if you’re ready to take on a more advanced piece, get your violin tuned up and join me next week! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more playalong videos. Happy practicing, and see you next time!