AboutTodd Sullivan Expertise Hello, I am a NYC violinist performing for Broadway shows, symphony orchestras, opera, and sundry theatre/pop tours. I would be happy to answer your questions about anything related to being a performer in the music business. I play both violin and viola professionally, so questions on playing either instrument are welcome. The only thing I am not well informed on is information concerning instruments/bows...those questions are best left to luthiers.
Experience Professional experience includes a variety of on/off Broadway tours and shows, numerous orchestras, tours with Ray Charles and Ann Murray orchestras, leader of the 20-piece Todd Sullivan Orchestra.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Fine Arts (violin) with honors from Carnegie Mellon University (1999)
Expert: Todd Sullivan Date: 5/12/2008 Subject: Sequence of learning
Question Todd. I started playing 12 months ago,and am at 3rd position. I'm 61. I want to learn to play the violin Physically by sound. improving tone, and then go on to technical things. My teacher wants me in her "Violins de Béarn" by July. I'm flattered. But it's not what I want. Is she right to insist on a balanced all-together approach. Am I wrong to want, primarily, to hear beautiful sounds first?
Answer In general your teacher's balanced approach is more correct because a beautiful and mature tone takes time and plenty of hours playing to develop. Often you have to move on to more advanced techniques before the arms and hands gain the required skills to master the easier techniques you started earlier. There is nothing wrong with you taking the time you need on your own to find a way to make beautiful sounds with the exercises and pieces you are assigned; in fact you are always encouraged to do so. Once the teacher has shown you the techniques and helped you refine them you need to rely on your own ear, talent, and tenacity to get them sounding beautiful, or at least come up with a very specific question for your next lesson about why something is not working they way it should.
The only thing to which I would object is if your teacher intends to get you into her performing group solely because she needs another player. It is acceptable if she thinks it will advance you to play/perform more and with other people, but if you feel she is glossing over your standards of quality for selfish reasons I would not be shy about raising the issue with her. A good teacher will never be upset about a student who is interested in refining their lesson material and will likely give an explanation as above, and perhaps work at a slower pace in the future.
