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The English folk tune Quick and Merry taught on the violin by an entirely aural method equivalent to a slow session. In the early stages short sections of the tune are repeated four times allowing plenty of opportunity to acclimatise. Also included are videos teaching accompanying chords and how to play them with the tune; 8ve accompaniment; theory and violin technique.

Level of ability on the violin: The videos are devised to be of use to a wide variety of playing levels. Short videos allow for beginners to folk music (having a good working knowledge of D Major 1st position) to study the tune slowly at their own pace whilst the advanced can make faster progress and tackle more topics.

Skills: Excellent for aural training, memory, musical form and structure, musicianship, harmony, violin technique and the practical application of music theory.

Key: D Major. Finger patterns 1_23 and 12_3 and accompaniment 1_2_3

Time signature: 6/8

Suitability of the tune for other instruments: bottom note = D above middle C with a range of a perfect 12th upwards to A.

Total: 40 videos from approx 30 seconds to not much more than 3 minutes each. Broadband is essential otherwise you will get fed up of waiting for movies to start. Videos will autostart once enough has been fed through.

Software requirements: QuickTime 7 or later versions

Other equipment that would be useful: headphones

The presentation is exclusively aural with no written music and some of the videos contain voice and playing at the same time. This has been done specifically in order to heighten aural awareness and train the non-visual parts of the brain which are not stretched when using the written form of tunes.

To access: Only my pupils can currently access this course. If you are a member of the general public wishing to learn this tune then I would release the course for a donation to charity so please contact me.

© Sarah Hackett 2007

www.lol4life.co.uk