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Suzuki Book 1 — Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Violin Play-Along and Lesson)

Hi everyone! This is Joel Kennedy with Kennedy Violins, and today we’re diving into a play-along session for Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star from Suzuki Book 1. Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking to refine your skills, this lesson will guide you through essential exercises that will improve your technique and overall playing ability. 

Download the PDF Guide Part 1

Download the PDF Guide Part 2

To make practicing easier, we’ve provided a PDF guide with all the exercises and sheet music from this lesson. Click the link below to download it and use it as a reference while you practice!

Why Suzuki Exercises Matter

Before we jump into playing Twinkle, Twinkle, let’s talk about why Suzuki Book 1 exercises are essential. They may seem tedious at first, but they lay the foundation for proper finger placement, bow control, and rhythm. Skipping these exercises can lead to bad habits that are harder to fix later on.

Key Exercises to Prepare for Twinkle Twinkle

1. Keeping Fingers Down

One of the first exercises we’ll work on (found on page 23 of Suzuki Book 1) is designed to help keep your fingers down when playing. This is crucial for smooth transitions and accuracy.

  • Practice using short quarter-note rests between phrases.

  • Focus on landing your fingers correctly and leaving them down for stability.

2. Bow Control & Staccato Practice

To develop good bow control, practice stopping your bow in between eighth notes. Play the rhythm da da da da da da, rest, rest while ensuring that each note is clear and distinct.

  • Play in the middle of the bow to maintain control.

  • Avoid letting your bow slide too much toward the frog or tip.

  • Keep your strokes clean for precise articulation.

3. Learning the Fourth Finger Placement

The fourth finger can be tricky for beginners, but it’s an important part of Suzuki training. Your fourth finger should match the pitch of your open E string. Test your intonation by comparing your fourth finger A with your open E string.

  • Keep all other fingers down while playing.

  • Make sure your fourth finger is not too flat or sharp.

  • Use your open E string as a reference.

Playing Twinkle Twinkle – Variations & Technique

Now that we've built a solid foundation, let’s move on to playing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Variation 1:

This first variation uses a combination of sixteenth notes and eighth notes.

This version is all about precision and timing. Count 1-e-and-a, 2-e-and-a to stay in rhythm. 

  • Stop your bow between notes for clear articulation.

  • Use consistent bow speed and pressure.

  • Stay in the middle of the bow for balance.

Variation 2:

This variation helps us practice rests and eighth note upbeats, which are very important to mastering basic and advanced rhythms.

 

Variation 3:

An eighth note followed by a sixteenth note is a common rhythm in many pieces.

  • Keeping bow strokes even and controlled.

  • Practicing slowly at first and gradually speeding up.

Variation 4:

A common challenge in Suzuki training is playing triplets evenly. The easiest way to master them is to say “triplet” out loud while playing:

  • Triple-it, triple-it, triple-it – this helps keep your rhythm steady.

  • Remember, triplets fit into one beat, so don’t rush them.

Variation 5:

It is important for bow control to practice sixteenth notes which can train you to control the bow. Count 1-e-and-a, 2-e-and-a 3-e-and-a 4-e-and-a to stay in rhythm. 

Final Performance: Twinkle Twinkle

Now that we’ve practiced the variations, let’s put it all together and play the full Twinkle Twinkle melody legato (smooth and connected).

  • Focus on clean note transitions.

  • Keep your left-hand fingers light and your bow hand steady.

  • Don’t forget the half notes at the end of each phrase, which last for two beats!

Keep Practicing and Stay Tuned!

If you enjoyed this lesson, subscribe to our YouTube channel for more play-along videos, technique tutorials, and violin tips. Even if you’re just starting, consistent practice will take you far!