Just made this today and thought I’d pass it along in case you want to try. The scale is also tabbed out below. It’s the Dorian Mode. This is the scale that makes anything you do sound like medieval music. Therefore it is the best. Enjoy! Jenny

I put "Open Mic" in quotes because we can just post videos here like we did for St Paddy's- But how about a little Christmas theme to cool off our July? I always say Summer is actually the best time to start if you want to polish your tunes by Christmas. Feel free to share sheet music or ideas here. Pull your ugly sweater, red sparkle dress, or Santa hat out of storage. Then on July 31 I'll make a post where you can upload your "performance" Work in progress videos are absolutely welcome. This hang out is always about progress and not perfection. You have three weeks! Have a great weekend. [Sleigh bell sounds], Jenny

If anyone has a patriotic tune or a snippet of one, feel free to post it here as a comment over the weekend.

Today I'm sharing the intro video, where we dig into why bowing can feel a tad frustrating at times. It's common to have unwanted bow bounce and string noise, even for violinists who have been playing for years. I certainly did! The short version: As adult learners we are excited to spend time learning notes, songs, and finger patterns. This isn't a bad thing and is also important of course. But the bow is where your sound always lives. If your tone feels inconsistent, scratchy, shaky, or harder to control than you'd like, it's often because bowing hasn't been trained as a separate skill. This week I'll be posting the white belt exercises here in Skool so everyone can start building a stronger bow arm. Please watch the intro video below and let me know: What's your biggest bowing challenge right now? 👇 Or if bowing is already easy for you? Tell us your secrets! 👇 First training video drops here tomorrow! Best, Jenny P.S. If you'd like to transform through the entire Summer Bowing Dojo with us, new members can join Jenny's Daily Lessons at 50% off their first month through June 30 with code DOJO50. Sign up today, try it out, cancel anytime :) https://www.jennyoconnor.com/programs/ Drop the program questions you have below and the other members or I will answer. 👇

Making the leap from training to music is a bit of a thing. The biggest tip I've been sharing with students lately is: Less is more. Try two or three shakes in one note in one phrase. Just think "back back back" ~ I know that's easier said than done. But the full lock up happens when we think of vibrato as this big continuous thing with an on and off switch. When you think "switch on vibrato go now!" it's easy to freeze. Enjoy it this week. Play around with it! Play lyrics you love and try to add just a touch of vibrato shimmer. Any progress or insight is a win you can build on next time. Next week we can have an official "deload" break week. Sort of a pallet cleanser and rest period before we dive into Bowing Dojo Season here on the Skool group. (Sneak peeks are already up on the Jenny's Daily Lessons Portal for those enrolled. 👀 ) Next week please take a full guilt free violin break if you feel like it. Of course if you're on a different schedule, do your thing. The seasonal announcements are only suggestions. Also please keep in mind that bowing and rhythm have a lot to do with vibrato bridging from training into music. And those Dojos are coming up! More soon, Jenny