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The Twelve Lesson Course

Is it enough to

learn violin or viola?

Come to the workshops on the New Approach by Kato Havas. Where? When?

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The twelve lesson course is actually the title of another book by the great violinist and teacher Kato Havas.

The twelve lesson course, in a New Approach to violin playing


Some people asked me: "Come on! How can you learn in twelve lessons?"

Does the title mean that it is possible to learn violin or viola with twelve lessons?

How long does it really take to learn to play violin or viola?

The books and other teaching material by Kato Havas have been published over many years, since 1961 and they are still selling! (published in this order: A new approach, 1961; The twelve lesson course, 1964; Stage fright - Causes and cures, 1973; the teaching DVD, 1989, videos on the Internet, 2008). By studying them in chronological order you'll notice some slight differences. As Kato Havas herself says in Stage fright, these changes, in the terms used and in the indications, were based on teaching experience, became necessary in order to simplify more and more, eliminate those terms, exercises, movements that could cause physical and mental tensions. Therefore each book/video is a widening of the previous ones, so it's highly advisable to read in this website the pages about the various books, then the books, watch the teaching DVD and the workshop videos available with subtitles.

The book applies the principles explained in the New Approach to playing, to eliminate physical tensions and other problems. It doesn't actually claim that you can become an accomplished performer with a twelve lesson course, that's obviously not possible, but through these lessons you can learn most of what you need to know. Then, of course, it takes some practice...

The book is organised in 12 lessons like the courses Kato Havas gives especially to people who go to see her from far away and stay for a short period.

The real meaning of the title is that each lesson covers one aspect of playing a string instrument. Yes, because the basics are the same, especially for violin and viola, what's really important is how you use your body, since the instrument and the bow by themselves cannot do anything, they don't play.

Each lesson includes some exercises for the student only and some to be played by student and teacher together, so even from the very beginning a student can make some "ensemble music". There are also some folk tunes and Notes to the advanced player. Indeed, the book is not for beginners only, but also for more or less advanced players who want to change something in their playing because they are not happy about it.

Contents of the book

When you use this book, bear in mind that some indications are slightly different from what is in Stage fright, written years later. Kato Havas herself in Stage fright explains the reason for this. One example is about the left hand. In The twelve lesson course she says that the wrist has to be straight, but in Stage fright she coined the expression the "giving hand", with the left wrist slightly bent, in a natural way, toward you. It's because she realised that some things needed to be changed, in order to eliminate even the possibility of the slightest tension.

Another example is about the "violin hold" and "bow hold" mentioned in the previous books and the "no violin hold" and "no bow hold" mentioned in Stage fright.

So, if you notice differences, follow what's written in Stage fright. Apart form these details, the Twelve lesson course is a very useful book, because of the many practical exercises.

Lesson I
THE APPROACH TO VIOLIN PLAYING

The fundamental balances
The see-saw image
The stance
The violin hold
The bow hold

Lesson II
THE BOW STROKE

The down stroke
The up stroke
The thumb
Change of bow
Advice for practising

Lesson III
STRING CROSSING

Lesson IV
CONSOLIDATION OF THE OPEN STRING BOWING

Lesson V
THE LEFT HAND

Lesson VI
CONSOLIDATION OF THE 1ST FINGER ACTION

Left thumb
Greensleeves

Lesson VII
THE ANTICIPATION OF EACH NOTE

Descending intervals
John Peel

Lesson VIII
THE FOURTH FINGER

The fourth finger
On top of old smoky

Lesson IX
THE INTERMEDIATE FINGERS

Londonderry air

Lesson X
THE SCALES

The scales
Drink me only with thine eyes

Lesson XI
THE BOWING TECHNIQUE

The bowing technique
The legato
Detaché
Martelé
Double stops
Green grow the rushes o

Lesson XII
EIGHT SONGS FOR TWO VIOLINS

Sweet Betsy from Pike
Shenandoah
The foggy foggy dew
Lincolnshire poacher
There was an old woman
Loch Lomond
Barbara Allen
Early one morning



Organize a workshop on the New Approach

Book a twelve lesson course with me or Online violin lessons or viola lessons

Buy The twelve lesson course


Read about other books by Kató Havas, here:

Stage fright
Causes and cures for physical and mental tensions caused by playing, that afflict the majority of players. How to eliminate them and play with more agility and pleasure (for listeners too)

A new approach to violin playing
The first book published. It talks about playing using the natural, fundamental balances of the body, which prevent and eliminate physical tensions, tendonitis, stage fright

The Violin and I
Kató Havas' autobiography, with the story of how the New Approach came to life and the correspondence, which went on for years, among readers on The Strad magazine



Acquista i libri di Kato Havas
Acquista il video didattico su DVD (in inglese)
Vai a Kato Havas (con video di un seminario)
Vai a Libri sul violino e la viola
Vai a Insegnante di violino e viola
Vai a Inizio