Strings (violin, viola, cello, and upright bass) are a challenging family of instruments! It isn’t uncommon for it to take several weeks before students are able to produce a pleasing tone with their new instrument. It is important to remind students that practice and patience are very important. If things don’t immediately sound the way you or your child expect, don’t worry! This is normal. Our teaching staff will let you know if they feel there is something extra you can do to help the student’s progress.

Most students over the age of five can learn their first song within a few weeks of lessons. The fundamentals must be in place first: regular practice habits, correct posture, finger placement, and the basics of producing a clear sound.

Students studying at OMS will benefit from our proprietary curriculum and assessment system, OPUS (Octopus Poly-instrumental Units of Study). OPUS comprises ten grade levels, each with an accompanying assessment. Our curriculum guides students from simple plucking of the strings (“pizzicato”) to complex and virtuosic techniques like sautillé and ricochet. The goal of this program is to produce students with technical prowess, an appreciation for the diverse richness of music for their instrument, and a keen sense of artistry. Each grade level should take a student, on average, 6-10 months to complete. In order to advance to Grade 5, students must complete both a Theory and Aural Training Workshop as well as a minimum of twelve hours of Ensemble Classes.

Our curriculum features a 10-tiered program of advancement wherein graduation from each level is increasingly difficult. For reference, we expect students on the traditional track to graduate from Level 1 in 3-5 months. In contrast, students in Levels 8-10 who practice regularly are expected to advance in a year, or perhaps even longer, depending on the challenges presented in their studies.

The absolute most important aspect of learning any musical instrument is consistent daily practice. Students should aim to practice each day for the same amount of time they spend in their weekly lessons. If a student is taking a 30-minute lesson, the daily practice goal should be 30 minutes. Of course, that is the goal, and students shouldn’t aim too high in the beginning!

Facilitate success by setting a time each day for practice. At first, it can be just a few minutes, with the goal of increasing as the student progresses. Set a timer and have a “practice space” where the instrument and all of the necessary materials are easily accessible. Practice should be associated with positivity rather than negativity. Instead of an ultimatum (“Practice, or no screen time), try to make it a reward (“Every 20 minutes of practice earns you 20 minutes of screen time”). Talk to your child’s private instructor to form a plan if you have ongoing concerns.

The amount of adult help students need varies by age; very young students may need 15-30 minutes of parents’ daily, hands-on attention. Students should become increasingly independent in their practice over their months and years of study. If your child has trouble making practice part of their daily routine, we recommend starting small and making goals to increase time as your child’s attention span and interest is cultivated.

Encourage your child to listen to music that prominently features the instrument they are learning. This can be done by simply listening to music in the car or at home, or, taking your child to live music events so they can see first-hand where all of the hard work they are putting in can lead.