Hi all,
My 6-year-old son is just starting the violin. Does anyone have any hints/tips/know of any good books for a child of his age? He's very keen to learn, but as I've never even picked up a violin (I play the flute) I can't really give him any help. He has a 20-minute lesson per week.
Any advice would be great!
Thanks loads.

Well, you could try the Suzuki Method; learn to play first, then learn to read. Like a kid, he first learns to speak and then write & read... The method also suggest that the mother picks up the violin as well, so the kid will imitate her... But I guess that isn't necessary in this case. (Seeing as the kids is already motivated enough.)

Anyhow, it's kind of aimed at smaller kids to let them learn fast. But I've used the first book of this method, when I first started out (and yes, I was waaay older than 6, when I started.) It's got some cool pieces, it begins with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and ends with 2 concertos by Mozart.

Hope it was helpful.

i would have to go with the suzuki method. IT was How I learned.

I have to agree with the above two posts. I started on Suzuki - had a VERY strict Suzuki method teacher (bow before and after the lessons) and loved the violin so much that I have just graduated from university with a music degree in violin performance! It is a very good method that is perfect for young kids (they don't have to be under 4 like some people think to start). I have started all of my students with Suzuki, no matter their age. It is good for adults too because you start learning real sonatas and gavottes very quickly.

I am not sure what your current teacher is using for your son, but I would look for a Suzuki teacher if you are really going to be enthusiastic about this! Do some reading on the Suzuki method. Check out your local library. There are lots of books out there.

I have to agree with the above two posts. I started on Suzuki - had a VERY strict Suzuki method teacher (bow before and after the lessons) and loved the violin so much that I have just graduated from university with a music degree in violin performance! It is a very good method that is perfect for young kids (they don't have to be under 4 like some people think to start). I have started all of my students with Suzuki, no matter their age. It is good for adults too because you start learning real sonatas and gavottes very quickly.

I am not sure what your current teacher is using for your son, but I would look for a Suzuki teacher if you are really going to be enthusiastic about this! Do some reading on the Suzuki method. Check out your local library. There are lots of books out there.

I have to agree with the above two posts. I started on Suzuki - had a VERY strict Suzuki method teacher (bow before and after the lessons) and loved the violin so much that I have just graduated from university with a music degree in violin performance! It is a very good method that is perfect for young kids (they don't have to be under 4 like some people think to start). I have started all of my students with Suzuki, no matter their age. It is good for adults too because you start learning real sonatas and gavottes very quickly.

I am not sure what your current teacher is using for your son, but I would look for a Suzuki teacher if you are really going to be enthusiastic about this! Do some reading on the Suzuki method. Check out your local library. There are lots of books out there.

Oops . . . don't know what happened there . . . anyone know how to delete extra posts?

i started learning at high school with suzuki and im in my last year and playingin lots of things like chamber music and orchestra! suzuki is a wonderful method as it is playing and then reading, but i suggest if you do go the suzuki way to find the cds that go with the books, they should be at the same store. get your child to listen to the pieces a lot. that way its easier to pick up the songs and will keep him/her excited because they are not struggling. it also helps to develop their ear. if it works for me and no one plays an instrument in my family it will certainly work for you!

I used the String Builder method by Samuel Applebaum. I also teach kids and this is the book I use.

The Suzuki method is great for young learners. However if your son decides that this is something that he really wants to work at and progress with in the years to come then I would also suggest that he be weaned off of the Suzuki method. I the many years that I have been playing and performing, I have found that some students hit a road block once they have hit the advanced level because the Suzuki method emphasizes memory. Just a word of caution is all I offer.

I just recently started and my teacher did the suzuki method and
she just showed us how to hold the bow correctly then she told us the
string names and then we made noise and then she just gave us tapes for where the
fingers should go for different notes and then she taught us what all the fingered notes
where called and then we learned where they would be on the lines of the sheet
music.
well thats how i learned,
sweet

I never learned with the suzuki method. I had a teacher when I first started and he just taught me basic knowledgs. The suzuki books I only used to play solos off of. However, When I went PCC, a college in florida, I was amazed with the beginner sting class. They learned so much in one year than I did in three years (no joke) They used something called the Jaffe Stings method. Maybe you would like to check that out and see how it works for your kid. Also try looking at www.violinmasterclass.com

I teach my kids how to write music...yes, and some of them are that age..because they understand it better if they have to write it, and also, it helps me to understand the points where they just don't understand, so things (like note names, and understanding keys) don't get glossed over. So while the numbered Suiki method does get them playing quickly, they still learn the note names and their uses.