

Welcome to the String Academy of Idaho Falls
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit public charitable organization.
Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
What's It Like...?
As a beginner
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Early Lessons:
Beginning students attend lessons with their adult mentor (usually a parent) who helps them practice what was done in the lesson at home. At first lessons, students focus on how to hold the instrument and bow, proper instrument care, healthy set-up, ear-training, rhythm, and many other fundamentals while learning short pieces that teach foundational principles.
Find out more by watching sample first lesson videos below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys0M1W31mSQ
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i4CjRomiGc
To practice:
A beginning practice session focuses on correctly repeating skills from the lesson.
Parents and children work together to accomplish specific tasks. A very beginner sample practice may look like this:
make 5 bow holds
sing solfege song 2x
Shoulder bow each rhythm 4x
Take a bow
To attend group class:
Group classes are places where students reinforce concepts worked on from private lessons in a group setting. Instruction may include ear training, music theory, note reading and rhythm practice. Group lessons are also ideal for learning ensemble skills, performance skills, how to play music with other children, and group pieces. Group lessons are usually highly motivating as children enjoy learning together with peers of a similar instrumental level.
Beginner group classes reinforce bow hold, pitch, rhythm, posture, and musical awareness with fun activities and fast-paced drills.
Before attending group class, make sure you understand the appropriate "dos and dont's" from Teri Einfeldt* for an enjoyable experience.
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Do arrive early and unpack instrument for tuning
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Do notice improvement in each child and encourage yours and others to focus on the teacher
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Do take notes of things that are easy and hard for your child so you can practice them at home
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Do come prepared in comfortable clothing to sit on the floor
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- Don't arrive late and disrupt class for tuning
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Don't distract your child with "threatening looks and glances"
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Don't use group class as the only time to practice/review group pieces
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Don't use as time to gossip or catch up with friends
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- Don't arrive late and disrupt class for tuning
* paraphrased from SAA Journal 1990.
As an intermediate student
Intermediate Lessons:
Students attend individual lessons with their private teacher where topics have expanded to include a routine of regular etudes, pieces, scales, and techniques. Parents of younger students still take notes in lessons and video record as needed to help their student progress at home practice. Students begin to learn how to take notes for themselves and move towards independent learning.
Intermediate Practice:
Home practice still mirrors the routines in the private lessons with time divided between etudes, pieces, scales, and techniques. Typical daily practice tasks may take longer than as a beginner, but are still organized for a sense of achievement and growth. Parents may still be needed in ensuring quality of daily practice, thought students may have more individual responsibility.
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Intermediate Groups:
In addition to private lessons, students may attend a group class with others on their instrument or participate in a theory course or small chamber ensemble. Here, they learn how to work in a group, musical communication, ear training and theory principles, and how music is structured. Intermediate students may also begin playing in youth orchestras.
As an advanced student
Advanced Lessons, Practice, and Ensembles
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Advanced students are competent at recording and retaining instructions from lessons for their individual home practice. Their time is divided between chamber and orchestral ensembles, private lesson study, theory, and home practice. In lessons, they begin to study some of the classic repertoire for their instrument, including advanced Concertos, Solo Bach, standard Etudes, and a daily routine of advanced scales, bowings, and other techniques. Individual practice time averages 2 or more hours a day.
These students often prepare for college auditions or may receive scholarships in music as part of their college audition/application process whether or not they choose music as a professional career. These advanced students are often leaders in their school and youth orchestras. They may also enjoy participating in competitions and festivals.