Waltz

A fun way to develop confidence in the waltz idiom with a ‘lifted bow/long bow’ pattern that can be learned playing scales. There is some use of ‘low’ 2nd finger.

Coconuts and Mangoes

This is good for using the Bb major finger pattern. The lilting Calypso rhythms are repeated frequently to reinforce the pupil’s understanding.

Patrick’s Reel

Good for energetic bow strokes with a contrasting drone like section. Good for learning from memory.

Dinosaur Dance

A firm favourite with players who can manage both dotted crotchets and dotted quavers in the same piece. You can play it all in half position, or in first position with one shift back to half position towards the end.

Minuet in D

The well known Minuet from the Anna Madgalena Notebook gives lots of practice playing up a D major scale using 1st and 3rd positions. It also provides opportunities to develop the Minuet down-up-up bowing and other simple bowing patterns within a 3/4 time signature.