Musical devices-pros and cons

worried

As you mention conservatoire, the main thing they look for is the ability to be taught. Everything else can be worked on and if dc haven't got this they aren't interested.
People seem to think they look for some grand level of achievement or child prodigy, obviously they have a certain level in mind, but it isn't necessarily as high as people make out and grades make no difference at all.
Just thought I'd clear that one up.
Ime a certain amount of biology is taught alongside playing the instrument and it does tend to improve technique along with a good practice routine.

Rather than just practice with these devices, could you use it to have your DD experience what a straight boss and/or correct bow hold feels like, and then take it off and have her try replicate that feeling without the device?
Perhaps doing it on something easy like a scale or easy piece?

Can you ask the teacher if there are any exercises that your DD can do to improve bow hold or straighten bow?

DD1 got into bad habit of not bending her pinky on bow hold. Teacher had her make a good bow hold shape, then lift bow up and down (from stomach to over her head) and side to side (all the way out, like opening and closing a door) several times before putting bow on violin. Each time checking that bow hold remain correct. DD made significant improvement after just one week.

We do Suzuki method, and our teacher has games or exercises to correct many bad habits, and for teaching new techniques.

I do watch my children practise, but it generally is to remind them what the teachers say they have to do. They do go in a huff when the going gets tough, but so far they (and I) have not given up yet. I also tell them that not every practice session is going to be perfect. You just do your best. If you don't get there on Monday do it again on Tuesday. No big deal.

I think a lot of playing is an exercise of will. You can have devices to help you play something right, or you can exercise your will power, which is never easy, especially for younger children. It is all in the will, Barenboim said that Rubenstein (or someone) said that to him.

Worried, why are you standing over your DD nagging her about her technique? You seem very concerned with her progress too. This could backfire (sounds like it already is, given the tantruming). You need to back off and let her try on her own. Yes, parents need to make sure their kids practise, and remind them to practise what the teacher has told them to, then they need to leave them alone.

I am a music teacher, and it is very difficult not to hover over my DS when he's practising piano, pointing out poor technique, but it doesn't help him. He just gets stroppy and it becomes a negative experience. If he asks me for advice, I give it to him, but he usually wants me out of the way. Leave the advice to the teacher, please.

Find a good Suzuki teacher - they will teach the correct technique from the beginning.

I think OP you need to decide your priority - making the practice as tantrum-free and easy for you as possible, or on your child actually improving.

Imagine if you were learning to touch type - i.e. without looking at the keyboard. Your teacher said you need to practice without looking at the keyboard, just typing simple words using a few letters. But you found it difficult and whined about it so your mum told you to just look at the keys when you practiced. Would your progress be any good?

worried

Please listen to the teacher and those on here, they do know what they are talking about.
If you have no faith in your teacher then you must change, but it seems to me she knows what she is talking about.
If its any consolation my dd is 11 and around gr5 standard (not taking exam as fourth study now) she has been playing since she was 7 and still her teacher is working on bow hold and positioning.
It is a steady process, one that can't be rushed and learning properly will save your dd many hours of correction when she is older, please listen.
If you want to be a proud mummy watching the orchestra, make sure you are noting your dds lovely technique, not cringing thinking you wished you'd listened.

I've got to be honest, all it will do is prolong her poor technique as if she uses it to practice then goes to a lesson without it... She actually won't have practised what her teacher has asked her to do.

as her teacher I would be very hacked off to discover you were interfering in this way.

I also don't understand how you seem to think you know better than the teacher! The greatest indication will be her progress, it's a skill to be learnt!

But I'm guessing you don't want to listen to the good advice here!

I never knew there are such devices! DS2 has a strict teacher too but we just keep on with the reminding of bow hold and straight bowing. It's an ongoing thing. I figure that if he reaches perfection at 8 years old the rest of his violin career is going to be pretty dull. Seriously though. I play an instrument myself (not violin) and you don't stop correcting and relearning.

No props. My students don't even get sticky stripes - I have an adult transfer who arrived at 19yo still with them on the fiddle and it horrified me so much! So I have 7yos who just have to listen to what they play. Harder. One day I may cave in.

And yep, I got picked apart at 17, but I couldn't have taken it younger. Everything from how to stand,how to hold the instrument, bowing long open strings... For months.

worried

I think violin is like that tbh, dds teacher went to a conservatoire and had to start right back at the beginning because she had so many bad habits.
Apparently though it is a pretty standard thing at some stage to be told you have it all wrong. perhaps this is better whilst still very young.

Fiddler
I know where you are coming from, my dh is a jazz musician and I was an entertainer and had my own agency/consultancy business.
I gave it all up when ds1 was born as we both couldn't continue, its a hard game I agree.
Obviously I could have gone down the nanny route, I had the choice but didn't want to continue.
Now we have a dd who is destined for a life as a musician, so help us.

Lol...ok, there were some amazing moments, I was very very lucky. I was also married to a musician who is still a principal player in a uk orchestra...I had a lot of fun, I have some amazing memories, but it simply got too hard for the both of us to be doing it
Lol xx

You do sound very involved! I would def agree with morethan to leave it to the teacher!....and please read my disclaimer! It's a shit way to live! And not glamorous in the slightest! I would advise any young person wanting to enter the business that they need to have a good strong second option to fall back on. at grade three, she's got a long way to go in a very very competitive field! X

Fiddler

Really big the life of a musician up
It can have it's good side too, especially if you want it more than life itself.
I married one like this, I knew what I was letting myself and the dc in for though

Oh, worriedandlost what is the point of having a teacher if you do the opposite of what they say?
You are paying for their knowledge. I know it's easy to get carried away and I would have been exactly the same if it wasn't for dh stopping me.
Please leave it to the teacher and trust them, otherwise you are wasting your money and time.
Very stern look from me.