CORREA Preparatory Scales for Violin
This book is written entirely in the first position. It is in two parts.  The first includes all major and minor scales (pure, harmonic and melodic) in whole notes. The second part is the Carl Flesch scale system but with one exception;  It is all in the first position. The book is designed to help the beginning student make a smooth transition to the complex Carl Flesch Scale System by familiarizing him/her with the Flesch pattern of scales and arpeggios.
To order "CORREA - Preparatory Scales for Violin: A first-position introduction to the Carl Flesch Scale System" (Copyright 1991, by Gustavo A. Correa) please send an email with your request. The price of the book is $20.00US.

Last updated on 9/12/07 by Gustavo A. Correa

 

 

What is a System or School of Violin-Playing?

A School of violin playing is a combination of two elements. The method (technique) of how one plays the instrument and the overall philosophy of making music.  The secret to a good school is consistency; using a proven method (technique) every time. When a musical situation arises, one is then able to focus on the style/interpretation of the music and not be hindered by insecure or indecisive technique.

Violin is an ancient art form and much can and must be learned from the past.  The school/system I use, in both performance and instruction, dates back to Carl Flesch .  Flesch lived during the "Golden Era of Violin Playing" when many schools were established. He is considered the top authority on violin teaching and playing.  His "Scale System" is used by all successful violinists throughout the world.  He was the author of "The Art of Violin Playing," a highly regarded book by violinists and teachers.  My teacher studied extensively with Carl Flesch himself and I, in turn, studied with  my teacher for ten years.  I consider myself very fortunate to be a second generation Carl Flesch Pupil and am proud to continue this tradition of excellence in my teachings.

For more information about Maestro Carl Flesch, click here or on his photo

How long are the lessons?

Lessons are one hour long. There is much involved in just the preparation of the instrument prior to playing. Tightening the bow, applying rosin to the bow hair, installing the shoulder rest (a device that aids in holding the violin properly), tuning the violin, etc. All these activities make a difference in the final product of excellent playing. I give my students complete details and assistance in this preparation. Then, of course, is the actual study/mastery of technique and interpretation; all facets of violin playing must be refined.  Violin playing is a fine art; it requires a proper amount of lesson time.

With what frequency?

Most students take one lesson per week.  I have discovered, however, that beginners profit greatly from two lessons per week. It's akin to learning to ride a bicycle;  the more chances at success that are provided, the sooner one will succeed.

Can the lessons be in my home?

Yes. I can drive to the following areas: Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach. There is an added fee for lessons at the location of your choice.

Will I/my child have performance opportunities?

Performance opportunities are available from a variety of sources:

Youth Symphonies - A couple of local youth symphonies include the Florida Youth Orchestra, South Florida Youth Symphony and the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County.

All-State Contest - Contest is held once a year in a chosen city where all the Jr. High and High Schools get together and are rated. Solos are also rated. All State Orchestra has auditions every year.

County Fairs - Youth fairs will  sometimes award trophies or medals for outstanding performances.

Community Orchestras - Adults or advanced teens can participate in local community orchestras. Community orchestras are also a great source of connections for chamber music (small groups such as quartets and trios).

Charity - One can volunteer for local hospitals and/or retirement homes.  Music has an almost magical healing effect on people.

I recommend the above activities only after the student has studied the positions on the violin (1 to 3 years into private lessons).

Home - A performance after dinner is always welcome.  When a child performs a couple of short pieces and is greeted with great enthusiasm and encouragement, it can work wonders not only for their playing but for their self esteem.

How long will it take to learn the violin / my first song?

Most students can learn a simple song by rote in about thirty minutes.  They can generally learn to play a song from reading music by the third lesson.  However, to reach one's potential as a violinist takes approximately ten years, depending on the talent and practice habits of the individual. Violin playing is a big world. There is much information to learn and much to master physically as there are many things going on beneath the surface.  We hear beautiful music but the violinist is actually executing many actions and thought processes at once. For example, when reading and playing a piece of music, the violinist is carrying out the following mental and physical processes:  

1. Playing the correct notes which includes correct string and finger
2. Playing the notes in tune. This includes position (how high up on the instrument to place the left hand) and interval (whether fingers are placed touching or apart).
3. Playing the notes for the correct duration (rhythm)
4. Playing the apropriate style; each composer is interpreted differently depending on what period of music history he lived. (I teach all styles/interpretation of music.)
5. Correct volume of the music (Dynamics)
6. Accurate direction of the bow
7. Correct pressure of the bow hair
8. Precise bow speed
9. Playing the note in context of the melody (the level of importance of that note in the musical phrase)
10. Interacting with other musicians
11. Being sensitive to the conductor (his/her role is to unify the orchestra in a common direction)

In reality, there is much more going on than is stated above.  The good news is that many of these processes become implicit allowing multitasking to improve.  Implicit actions (habits) take time to solidify; sometimes years. Lamentably, however, incorrect technique (bad habits) can also become implicit.  It is important that one learn an excellent system/school of violin playing from the start.

What's a good age to start?   Is it too late to begin? Is it too late to continue? 

Children

I recommend that students begin at age six.  I do have students younger than six and am always willing to try a few lessons to see how a child progresses.  If a child is talented and/or mature, it is often possible to begin early.  I use a different teaching style for the very young that incorporates a greater variety of activities.

Adults

It is never too late to begin, or continue what was started in the past. There is much cognitive information and discipline that is required to play the violin and adults usually have the advantage in these areas.

What equipment does one need to start?

Required Equipment

• Violin: Must be of correct size (full-size, 7/8, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 etc. exist) for children 10 and under. Check with me or the seller/renter. Must have four fine-tuners (small devices that allow one to tune the strings with precision). Cost, $150 and up.

• Bow: Fiberglass is OK but the hair must be horsehair. Cost, $30 and up but is often included with the violin.

• Shoulder rest: A device that allows one to hold the violin properly and with correct posture. I recommend the KUN shoulder rest. It must be the correct size for the instrument. Example: a 1/2 size violin requires a KUN shoulder rest that will fit a 1/2 size violin. Cost, $30 - $45.

• Case: Not important as long as the violin is safe. Cost, $50 and up but is often included with the violin

• Rosin: A tree sap product that makes bow hair sticky and thus helps the string vibrate. Cost, $8-$10.

• Cleaning Cloth: Any soft cloth will do; for cleaning rosin dust off of the instrument. Microfiber works best.

Optional Equipment

• Electronic Tuner: For tuning the strings; vital time saver for beginners. Must be a chromatic tuner .  A chromatic tuner is able to tune all the notes, not just the instrument's four strings.  Cost, $20 - $240.  I recommend the Korg-25.

• Electronic Metronome: A device that produces a 'beat' that the musician can follow. Excellent in the development of accurate rhythm. Cost, $40 and up.   I recommend the Korg KDM-1

• Stand: For holding up music. Cost, $15 and up.

• Extra set of strings: In case one breaks, there will be an instant replacement. For students, I recommend Thomastik Dominant brand. If the violin is smaller than full-size, make sure strings are the correct size for the violin.  Cost, $30 and up.

How and where do I acquire an instrument and supplies?

There are two options;  renting or buying an instrument.

Renting
Call local instrument dealers or music stores and ask about rental.  If you want to know if violin playing is for you, this is a good way to go.  I highly recommend that you inform the renter that you must have the instrument approved by your violin teacher prior to renting.  This will insure that you get a violin that is in good condition.

Buying
Violins range in price and quality beginning at $150. The advantage is that one can usually get a better instrument than by renting.  For beginners, I recommend purchasing a "kit." A kit usually includes a violin, case, bow and sometimes rosin and tuning pipes. They begin at about $200 and go up to $3000.  When purchasing, I highly recommend that you inform the seller that you must have the violin approved by your teacher prior to your purchase. This will insure that you get a violin in good condition.

Acquiring supplies

For convenience, I stock all the equipment needed for the lessons including violins, supplies and books.

Their are also online / catalogue stores such as Shar 1-800-248-7427 or Southwestern Strings 1-800-528-3430.

What about the Suzuki Method? / Is reading music important?

The Suzuki method

Although a popular rote approach, requires enhancement in order for the violin student to achieve full potential. I have helped many ex-Suzuki students and have developed strategies that fill in the gaps that these students posess.

Reading music is a must

Violin playing is a process like, for example, riding a bicycle. This process has many components; Riding a bicycle requires balance, steering, pedalling, etc. All must be done in perfect synchronization to achieve success. Pretty amazing! If one of these components is left out, the rider will fall.

The same applies to violin. If one leaves out any of the required components, such as reading the music, succes is elusive.

Suzuki students may sometimes play a song sooner but in the long term tend to fall behind.  Students who are taught to read at the onset acquire the correct mental processes and independence that allow them to progress quickly.

Parents often want quick results but should understand the importance of reading the music that is played.  Reading music frees the student to play any music that they desire. It creates a sense of independence that inspires confidence and success.

Are the lessons private, semi-private or classroom style?

I teach only private lessons.  In small group or classroom-style lessons, students do not receive the attention they require.

All students are different.  Private lessons allow pupils to receive the personal attention that encourages their strengths and eliminates their weaknesses.  Violin playing is a fine art that requires individualized instruction.

Education

	Florida International University	Bachelor of Music Violin Applied - 1985
	New World Symphony America's Orchestral Academy	1988-1992 Seasons

Teaching Experience

Performance Experience

	Florida Grand Opera	Assistant Concertmaster	2000 - present
	Miami City Ballet	Assistant Concertmaster	1993 - present
	Gold Coast Opera	Assistant Concertmaster	1993 - present
	Boca Pops Orchestra	Assistant Concertmaster	1993 - 2001
	Sunshine Pops Orchestra	Assistant Concertmaster	1999 - present
	Garth Newel Festival	Section Violin	1996
	Florida Philharmonic	Section Extra	1992 - 1993
	Palm Beach Opera	Section Violin	1992 - 1993
	Spoleto Festival Orchestra	Section Violin	1989

Recording Experience

	Miami Symphonic Services	List of some commercial recordings
	Florida Philharmonic	Mahler Symphony #1
	New World Symphony	Various Recordings

Recording Experience

Education

Teaching Experience

Performance Experience

(Copies of originals available upon request)

October 19

To whom it may concern:

My son, DF, has been a student of Gustavo (Gus) Correa since April.

During the past six months, DF's, skill level has progressed at a very satisfactory and extremely high rate.  I attribute this to Mr. Correa's multidisciplinary approach to violin instruction which incorporates scale building, trill building, interval building, bowing technique and distribution, and violin solos which build self confidence and appreciation for the skills which he (DF) has learned and can now be applied to create a beautiful piece of music.

Mr. Correa's program has proven to be extremely effective and he has proven to be extremely dedicated to teaching.  His program, dedication, and own technical ability to demonstrate, form a course of study which can be recommended without reservation.

Sincerely,
                AEF

To Whom It May Concern,

I have been a student with Mr. Correa for several years.  He is a most competent teacher, patient and kind.  He pays close attention to the composers' indications and is insistent on accuracy in rhythm and phrasing as well as notation.  I have received full instruction in technique as well as mastering the compositions.

Mr. Correa has a good background in the history of music and the composers and adds interesting anecdotes and information to the sessions.  His experience with orchestral work and his feeling for the music makes the compositions come alive.

It is a pleasure to study with Mr. Correa and I recommend him highly as a music teacher.
 

Sincerely,

RU

North Miami Beach, FL
 

To whom it may concern:

Mr. Correa teaches my son, D, the violin. Having known Mr. Correa for quite some time, I can wholeheartedly support his experience and expertise.

Sincerely,

     Mrs. MM

MS and SS
Davie, FL

To Whom It May Concern:

Gus Correa has taught us violin and piano for the past 3 years.  He has proven to be reliable and extremely knowledgeable in all areas of music.  Mr. Correa's professionalism is evident both in his teaching and performance;  We give him our highest recommendation.

For a firsthand reference, feel free to obtain our phone number and speak with us personally.

Sincerely Yours,

MS and SS

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·  Lessons must be canceled a minimum of 24 hours in advance. If canceled with less than 24 hour notice, that lesson's fee must be paid. Example:  If a lesson is scheduled for 1:00 PM Tuesday , it must be canceled before 1:00 PM  Monday or entire fee for that lesson will be due.

·  Lessons must be rescheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance.

·  If I am teaching in your home, please provide adequate lighting, room temperature and proper learning environment.

·  If I am teaching in your home, please allow a 15 minute grace period for my arrival as traffic can be unpredictable and I may be traveling a long distance.

·  Children will not be taught unless accompanied by an adult.

·  If a check should bounce, please reimburse me for any bank charges that the deposit of a bounced check may have incurred.

Thank You

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