// Learning a new song is a hard thing to do, but Mrs Laura says everyone can do it. Once you learn a song you get determined to perfect it, and when you perfect it you feel so happy you could run around and dance!
When I learn a new song, I start with short little parts. Those parts are like puzzle pieces, and once I have the pieces, I put them together like a puzzle. Then I know the whole song!
To perfect a piece, you have to play it a bunch and get used to it. You need to learn good bowing and get comfortable with it. You have to be relaxed while you’re playing. Once you’re comfortable with the song, then you can start really feeling the music and adding fancy stuff like grace notes, trills, dynamics, and body movements.
You should never act scared when you’re trying to memorize or perfect a song, because you’ll have plenty of chances. It is very easy to give up when you’re working on a new song. But you should just keep on going. When I feel like giving up, I take a deep breath and tell myself that I can do it. If you put effort into what you’re trying to do, it will all work out and sound awesome.
Sometimes it is very frustrating when you do not check something off. It can even make you want to cry. But you have to just keep trying. If you play it more and get more used to it, you will perfect it. When you’re frustrated, it can be good to move on and play a different song, especially one you know well or that makes you feel happy. Then you don’t have to worry about the new song until later, or maybe the next practice.
It is very exciting when you check off a song. You feel like you’re on top of the world.
Just remember this little thing: You can do it!