For Beginning Students:
- Starting players need to have focus, dedication, and a desire to overcome challenges. The violin is often referred to as the most difficult instrument, but with its challenges come great rewards that last a lifetime. Mr. Miller expects good listening skills, respect in lessons, respect to parents at home, and the ability to follow instructions.
- Mr. Miller has found that for beginning and intermediate students, the most effective method is to have one or both parents involved. Taking notes, supporting your child, and gathering understanding of practicing techniques can make the difference between frustration or reaching full potential. Although Mr. Miller has had success without parental involvement, his competition winners and most successful students always have strong parental support.
- 30 minutes of practicing six days a week is mandatory. Consistency and proper execution is paramount to moving forward with a strong base. Mr. Miller expects each student to taker personal responsibility for their work ethic, practice habits, and growth as a player.
- Each student needs to show the same committment to practicing as Mr. Miller gives as the teacher. In short, dedication is vital, from the students, parents, and the instructor.
- Have fun, work hard and do your best. The violin isn’t always easy, but keeping and surpassing your goals can earn you special rewards.
- Understand that I give you my word that I will be fair and just when it comes to my method of teaching.
For Parents:
- Young starters, aged 2 and up, will need dedication and patience from their parents. It is hard work to keep your children on track, but goals and requirements are something they have to learn by example and guidance. Motivational methods are always utilized, but things like listening to classical music, making time to sit down and help with their practice as well as making it a priority is a large part of a child’s success.
For Intermediate Students:
- 45 minutes to one hour of perfect practice, utilizing MBIM’s practicing techniques. Mastering how to practice will happen over time, making practice seem faster, more fun, all while leading to grand results.
- With greater work comes greater rewards, this is something that will be clearly understood by the intermediate student.
- Listen to your parents. Life will be much easier when it is realized that parents mean the best. Get your chores and practicing done and spend the time you would have spent arguing doing something you want.
- Trust yourself and Mr. Miller to guide you properly. Feel free to communicate as part of learning is asking questions so that you can widen your understanding.
- Intermediate students should be able to practice on their own and will be playing something along the difficulty of the first Sietz Concerto.
For Advanced Students:
- A minimum of one hour of perfect practice.
- Clear goals set between the student and Mr. Miller.
- By this point, lessons will sometimes surprise you as your limits are pushed.
- Decide if you want to compete.
- Advanced students will be playing, at minimum, a Mozart Concerto, Kreutzer etudes, a solo piece, sonata, and three octave scales. They should also have good control of many advanced techniques.Your practice and dedication will decide the directions you take.
- Pieces that we are playing should be polished, memorized, and played at a near professional level.
For Parents of Advanced Students:
- Continued nourishment and encouragement is all that is needed. The students at this level already know how to practice and how much to practice, but it is sometimes hard and they will need to lean on you for support and understanding.
For Parents of Advanced Students:
- Continued nourishment and encouragement is all that is needed. The students at this level already know how to practice and how much to practice, but it is sometimes hard and they will need to lean on you for support and understanding.
For Competing Students:
- You’ve chosen a fun path, but this will demand more. 1.5 to 2 hours practice every day is a minimum goal. This doesn’t have to be done in one sitting.
- Perfect practice has become like breathing.
- Memorization will become standard with every piece.
- Prepare a professional solo recital, for friends, families and fans. This will include one Concerto, one Sonata (usually Mozart or Beethoven), and a single solo piece. Each recital program will depend on the individual student.
- Have fun, you’ve reached a point that very few have achieved.
- Be very proud.
- Thank your parents.
- Competition students will be playing a Mozart Concerto, along with a romantic piece such as Mendelssohn or Bruch, etudes(Kreutzer, Dont or Paganini), a flashy show piece(Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate for example), and a Sonata(Mozart, Beethoven, or something more difficult). This is very high level playing, reached by only a select few, but possible for any and all with the right attitude, patience, and determination to succeed.
The violin is one of the most stunning of all instruments. It is called the “Queen of the Orchestra” for good reason. It can be learned and loved by anyone at any age. I have played the violin for over thirty years now and believe that only four things are needed to master the instrument: willpower, heart, dedication, and willingness to seek help.