BONUS Variation!
This is the variation that many teachers WISH Suzuki had included in the original. Not all teachers teach it, but enough that I thought it was worth including here. Triplet eighth notes are simply placing 3 eighth notes in the time one would normally play 2. The bow stroke takes place at the balance point. Because each group of three notes alternates starting down and then up, it helps to add a little accent to the start of each grouping.
You might ask WHY?! Why are we playing the same tune with so many different variations? What are we gaining? The answer is TONE! With a little discipline all students can learn to place the right finger on the right string on the right tape at the right time, but developing a beautiful tone requires so much more. It requires a feel for the instrument, the right amount of bow weight, speed, and placement. Every element of using the bow is a balance — not too much weight or speed. The bow hold must be prone and strong but also flexible enough to cushion the motions. The more practice we can provide the bow hand right now the better.
Hopefully, you are also working on the Schroeder exercises as well as scales. PLEASE don’t just practice Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. If you learn to play one piece of music then you know one piece of music. If you learn to play scales and exercises then you can play any piece of music. Notereading, posture, scales, equipment and listening make all the difference in how quickly you advance and the ultimate quality of your sound!
Pro Tip
Watch the bow while you play. Zero in on the contact point such that you are keeping the bow perpendicular to the string. If you look down your string there should be a right angle where the bow crosses the string. This variation really tests your control of the tip.
As we learn Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, let’s make sure that your posture is setting you up for success down the road. Here is a handy posture checklist:
- Posture – feet flat on the floor, cello between your knees, touching at your sternum, sitting straight up, shoulders relaxed, elbow out like a kickstand, straight EWP (elbow-wrist-pinkie)
- Left hand – thumb and fingers bent (making a “C”), fingers arched and contacting the string with the pad of the fingertip, thumb bent and under 2nd finger
- Bow path – bow travels straight across the string (t-bow), midway between the fingerboard and the bridge (forte-freeway)
- Bow hand – thumb slightly bent, index finger touching the stick between the first and second knuckle, hand pronated, fingers slightly apart — not overly spread or bunched together
- Keep fingers down as you play – as you ascend the don’t lift the finger you just played when you place the new finger. As you descend place all 4 fingers and then peel off the fingers one by one.
- Check intonation – verify your intonation. Play with the video, use a tuner, watch your hand in a mirror to check that you are on the tapes. Don’t assume, verify.