Belknap Violin Practicing System
| Over the years there have been many violin practice programs developed
by violin teachers. One of the most organized and successful programs was created by Galamian. This program has been refined and developed into the Belknap Violin Practicing
System with an added focus on tracking progress and learning. The Beknap system also includes simple explanations and video examples for each exercise.
The future of teaching and learning
is held in the recording of the progress made by the student and the answers they discover as they practice. To use the Belknap System, get a copy of the Violin Practice Journal. Then, use the links below to learn the violin practice exercises and watch the video examples. The combination of the Violin
Journal and the video examples will help you reach your potential if you
will practice the violin exercises daily and play them for someone who can help advance
you through each technique. |
return to The Violin Site
| Using the Violin Practice System |
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To begin using the Violin Practice System, you must first obrtain a copy of the Violin Practice
Journal. Then, follow the steps below.
Sample page from the Violin Practice Journal:
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- Follow the assignments given in the journal
- As you complete each of the daily violin exercises, check off the box on the right
- The numbers in the 3 middle boxes show how many minutes each violin exercise is practiced daily.
As you keep your own violin practice journal, you will be able to document your progress. Imagine if Heifetz had kept a weekly journal of his progress. The world of violinists would have an unparalleled resource for teaching and improvement! |
Ordering the Violin Practice Journal |
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We are pleased to release the new edition of the Violin Practice Journal. Due to high demand, we are now able to offer the Violin Practice Journal for only $19.95 per journal! To order a copy go to the online store.
New Features:
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Updated "Frequently Asked Questions"
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Simplified exercise instructions
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New "Notes on What I've Learned" pages
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Additional weekly exercise pages
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Volume and school licenses are also available. Simply e-mail contact us for more information!
Tuning the violin:
Tune the A string to Track 10.
Tune the D string to Track 3.
Tune the G string to Track 8.
Tune the E string to Track 5.
Go back and check the strings one more time playing each set of fifths (A-E, A-D,
D-G) to listen to the fifths now squeezed.
As you learn what squeezed fifths sound like you should improve and be able to
squeeze them without the CD.
Tuning Scales and techniques in the "Practice Journal".
G Major Track 8
a. Practice pg. 3 in the Violin Practice Journal
b. Tune slowly and listen to the interval between your scale notes and the root
played by the CD.
c. If you cannot find the right note, play it on a keyboard or sing the pitch
and then match it with your finger.
Select track 10.
a. With the repeat track function on, practice all the Left Hand exercises in
the journal in the key of G Major.3 minutes at a time. Each time the track starts
over switch to a new exercise. A built in timer!!!
Select track 1
a. Without the repeat on, do each of the exercises in a different Kelley are now
training to be able to do all exercises in any key!
Tuning a piece
Because most pieces change keys several times within each movement the "Tuning
CD" may not be the best tool for tuning a piece. Use a midi sequencer device instead.
Have a pianist record your accompaniment on a midi keyboard. Save it to a disc
and transfer this to your computer. Buy a music sequencer program ($30-$50) and
practice with your accompaniment on your computer at any speed at any time!!!!
Instructional Design for this portion of TheViolinSite was provided by Richard Culatta
