Viola

Ever since my friend, Melanie Hoggan, told me how much work goes in to playing the violin, I have maintained that my children would never play the violin. Ever!

So, Penelope is playing the viola. Ha Ha. As if that is even going to make the slightest difference in the amount of work we have to put in. I can't believe I caved!

She hasn't received her viola yet, so we have been practicing with a violin of Melanie's. Melanie says there are 25 things we have to accomplish before we can play the first note. This is our 4th week and Penelope can finally hold the bow and the violin at the same time (with me setting it in her hands and positioning her fingers.) Melanie is very particular about positions and turning muscles "off", etc, which I love since one of my main concerns was Penelope having chronic pain when she is an adult from playing the viola so much as a child. So here are a few pictures at our lesson last week.

 Oh yeah, we aren't to the point yet where fingers are on the strings. :)

 It doesn't look that complicated, but it is.

 Don't squeeze, keep the thumb tucked under, nice and soft grip; takes a lot of concentration.

Oh, the joy!!!!