Sahana Khan
About
I've been playing the violin for 10 years now, I've participated in examinations up to Grade 5 ABRSM and now I just play for pure enjoyment, I prefer playing for the love of the instrument than competition.
Teaching Style
Theory is very important to me, an understanding of the sections of music you play so that you play the music as the composer intended and have a deeper understanding of music. I teach the background and concepts you need to understand before we start playing and then play the phrase out loud and the student plays after that and then we play together. Scales are also important and so every lesson will begin with a few exercises to warm up your fingers. My teaching style is very informal and conversational, it's a relaxed environment so both of us can meet our goal.
Curriculum
As a violin teacher, my approach focuses on building strong fundamentals while fostering musical expression and confidence. My method includes:
1. Foundation & Technique - Proper posture, bow hold, and finger placement using Suzuki and traditional methods.
2. Ear Training & Sight-Reading - Developing aural skills alongside reading music notation.
3. Repertoire & Musicality - Introducing classical pieces, folk tunes, and contemporary music to develop a well-rounded skillset.
4. Scales & Exercises - Using scales and etudes (e.g., Wohlfahrt,) to improve dexterity and tone production.
5. Performance & Expression - Encouraging students to play with dynamics, phrasing, and emotion while preparing for recitals or exams.
Recommended Student Texts
For beginners:
Essential Elements for Strings - Michael Allen, Robert Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes
Suzuki Violin School (Vol. 1-3) - “ Shinichi Suzuki
For intermediate students:
Wohlfahrt 60 Studies for Violin – Franz Wohlfahrt
Introducing the Positions (Vol. 1 & 2) Harvey S. Whistler
For advanced students:
Kreutzer 42 Studies - “ Rodolphe Kreutzer
Credentials & Affiliations
Grade 5 ABRSM
10 years experience
