TWIN CITIES, MN / ACCESS Newswire / March 14, 2025 / Marnie Thies from proviolin.com offers violin lessons for kids aged five and up, as well as adults. She recommends scheduling a meet-and-greet before your first lesson to determine the correct violin size. This is an important step, as selecting the correct violin size is crucial for a comfortable and effective playing experience. Playing with the wrong size can lead to unnecessary tension which could result in tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fatigue, making it harder to play fast pieces, maintain proper technique, and play with vibrato. Vibrato refers to the rocking of the fingers from the wrist or arm. During the meet-and-greet, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons will introduce various chinrests, shoulder rests, and sponges in different sizes to ensure the student's comfort. Shoulder rests are devices used by violinists and violists to support and stabilize the instrument while playing. They rest on the player's shoulder and help reduce strain on the shoulder, neck, and back, which also improves posture. Shoulder rests come in various shapes, sizes, and materials to suit different body types and playing preferences. While a small minority of musicians prefer not to use them, many find that they enhance comfort and technique.

Sponges, another option, are placed on the back of the violin and secured with rubber bands. These provide additional support. In the first meeting, Marnie Thies displays varying sponges in different sizes for students to try along with different chin rest and shoulder rest setups to find the best fit, as everyone's body is unique. Additionally, Marnie will check the string height on the violin's fingerboard, which is the ebony surface the strings sit on. If the string height is too high, it can cause unnecessary tension while playing making it harder to perform fast music and have a high functioning vibrato.

What can students expect during their first lessons? At the beginning, Marnie Thies focuses on teaching students how to hold the violin properly. The violin should be held with the chin and head. Marnie suggests listening to Suzuki violin recordings during practice and directs them to her website for available recordings of the music they will be studying. This serves two purposes: First, it helps students internalize the music and develop a sense of pitch, rhythm, and dynamics (playing softly or loudly). Second, it makes practicing the violin hold more enjoyable by allowing students to listen to music while working on this important skill.

Another skill that Marnie Thies introduces to students in the first few lessons is developing the correct bow hold, which can be challenging. Marnie recommends practicing the bow hold in short, focused sessions. This approach promotes muscle memory and helps keep the mind fresh, which is essential for learning proper technique. Staying mentally alert while practicing also prevents the development of bad habits caused by fatigue.

While some students are eager to start playing pieces right away, Marnie Thies prioritizes building a strong technical foundation. In the beginning, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons teaches her students the "Twinkle Theme" using pizzicato (plucking the strings), which develops left-hand technique. During left-hand practice, Marnie Thies Violin Lessons ensure that students' fingers are curved over the strings, which prepares them for vibrato in the future. She also teaches parents how to help their child keep their fingers close to the strings. By placing their hands over the child's left hand, parents can encourage the child's fingers to stay close to the strings, which is essential for playing repertoire at faster speeds. Thies also demonstrates in the first few lessons how to draw a straight bow in front of the mirror. A straight bow is when the bow is parallel to the bridge. The bridge is a small piece of wood that keeps the strings in place and helps transmit vibrations to the violin. Additionally, it's an essential part of the violin that influences how the violin sounds and the playability. Marnie Thies emphasizes that until a student consistently plays with a straight bow, they should practice in front of a mirror. If a student demonstrates that they can play with a straight bow, Marnie will have them practice this at home on open strings. Open strings are when no fingers touch the fingerboard allowing students to focus on their bow arm for drawing a straight bow. Bowing straight is essential for producing a full, clear tone. By working on both hands using pizzicato for the "Twinkle Theme" and full bows with open strings, students have multiple aspects of technique to focus on. Marnie Thies has found that this gradual approach allows students to enjoy playing a piece while also building fundamental skills. This method helps them develop a strong foundation before combining both hands, setting the stage for long-term success.

In addition to in-person lessons in St. Paul in the suburbs of Falcon Heights and North Oaks, Minnesota, Marnie offers online violin lessons for students unable to attend in person or for those pupils that prefer the convenience of online lessons. Marnie Thies looks forward to expanding her teaching locations to cities such as Blaine and Coon Rapids or another area in Anoka County. To collaborate with Marnie, please contact her through proviolin.com.

Contact:

Marnie Thies of Marnie Thies Violin Lessons
Email: marnie78t@gmail.com

SOURCE: Marnie Thies Violin Lessons