Socializing at CYM

Last weekend several guitar students (and one violin sibling) got together to play songs from the Suzuki repertoire outside in the socially-distanced, safe setting at 120 Lake Drive. Parents brought chairs and watched. One participant from the Pre-Twinkle Guitar – Reading Families for Success course stayed to listen after their meeting. All students had review pieces “at the ready”.

We started with games, played music together, then each student had a chance to perform a solo. We ended with cheerful versions of songs like Rhody jazz/Egypt/farm variations, and the Twinkle Blues. The first games we played I would describe as “Focus Games” because they get everyone to follow me, and listen and watch intently for cues about how to phrase the music and when to stop and start. We did some dynamics and tempo changes in some of the easier songs to make sure everyone was listening to each other. The violinist played along, and everyone was able to stay together even though some guitar and violin songs were not in the same key. We played the Carulli Etude, Nonesuch, Giuliani’s Allegretto, Suzuki’s Allegro, Long, Long Ago, May Song, Song of the Wind, Go Tell Aunt Rhody (with variations like Rhody Goes to Egypt, jazz style & down on the farm), the Twinkle Variations and Twinkle Blues.

Students had a lot of fun – it was the first time they had played together in person since the last year! They enjoyed just being with one another and many people stayed to stand and talk once the music ended. My thanks to Alankriti, Carson, Aarnav, Anisha, Riya, Aliya, and their parents for making the time. Let’s meet again soon!