Seventeen versus One

When I was in the SYO, now the SNYO, I've always admired the very few violinists who could wield play the bow in a straight direction. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. Now all my students, yes, even the beginners, can play with a straight bow. The answer? It's just to use one joint in your arm versus using all the joints(17) at the same time. You will sound much better too. Give me a call at 90097430, and within one lesson, I'll show you how.

Real motivation for practice

Now this is a subject that at the heart of most parents-how would I know if my child would enjoy and be motivated to practise the violin? The answer is analogous to that of an aspiring chef. Would you reckon that the wannabe chef would give up after a while if all the dishes he makes taste bland and uninteresting? He would start to lose interest and think maybe this is not the right path for him then move on. The same goes for the violin: if a child plays badly and produces a bad tone(bland taste), do you think he/she would stay motivated? I always encourage the purchase of better instruments, and with my methods, my students never produce a bad sound(correct technique), and as with the analogy of the chef, would be inspired to want to practise more. Too much of a good thing is never enough. If you are looking for a really good violin teacher, or are finding something amiss with your current teacher, give me a call at 90097430, you would see the difference within a lesson.....until the next post

DSA-direct school admission

The ministry of education has introduced a scheme, known as DSA, or direct school admission, wherein if a student is sufficiently proficient in an instrument of their choice(ie the violin), they may through the violin gain admission to a secondary school of their choice. Call me for more info 90097430

My Journey with the violin

My name is Yeo Wee Soon, and I have been playing the violin for 35 years, 26 of which I had been teaching. The violin is a wonderful invention, of which musicologists have said is as beautiful as the human voice, but without its accompanying limitations.
Since its inception in the 16th century, the violin has been both lauded for its beauty of voice and its portability, as it's easy to transport around. It soon found favour with kings,nobility and composers,who found the tone pleasing to their educated ears.

Fast forward a few centuries, in modern Singapore,circa 1978, when I was introduced to the violin whilst a student at Nanyang Primary School. I never liked nor disliked it, just that I never found the inclination to practise it. It wasn't until the age of 15 when I was exposed to good playing and a wide repertoire that I started to have a keen interest in it, which developed into a lifelong passion. Yes, I had already passed my grade 8 ABRSM by then was the principal violist in the SYO, but I never knew violin playing could be so alluring, exciting. But to my surprise, when I tried those pieces I liked, I couldn't play them at all, at least not up to my expectations. It was then that I realised that the training I have got up till then was all wrong, and with the the wrong technique, I couldn't play those pieces I liked, it was just enough to get me through grade 8.
I then initiated my quest for new teachers, non which have really brought me any closer to my quest, that is to play as well as the visiting artistes who come to Singapore to play with SSO. I then went to the States to further my training, with the former teaching assistant to Josef Gingold, one of the greatest teachers of the last century, and began formulating my own method for teaching.
Simplicity, is the key to really mastering good technique.
Came back to Singapore, put my ideas to the test, and what do yo know, I've had students pass grade 8 in less than 5 years. I've had students master technique where it would normally take a talented student years to master in weeks, all because of my understanding of the physiological makeup of a person, and the principal of simplicity.
I will have videos of my students put up soon, but if you wish to learn from me, call me at 90097430
or visit my website at www.efficientviolinist.com, the rest for another day......