When Modern Art Goes Acrylic! Look at this awesome cmodern art collection by Tale Teller Club

✨ Acrylic Blocks by Tale Teller Club Merch – Tiny Works of Art for Your Desk & Home

Looking for something a little different to brighten up your space? The Tale Teller Club Acrylic Blocks are here to turn everyday corners into mini galleries. These chunky, crystal-clear blocks aren’t just décor – they’re little pieces of art history in the making, featuring designs straight from the creative vaults of Sarnia de la Maré and the Tale Teller Club universe.

🌟 What Are Acrylic Blocks?

Acrylic blocks are solid, free-standing, glass-like pieces that showcase your chosen artwork in vivid colour and stunning detail. They’re thick enough to stand on their own, which means no frames, no nails, no fuss – just instant style.

Each block features one of our signature designs, whether that’s:

• 🎶 Immersion Static glitch art for your sci-fi soul

• 🐭 Rat Gang Crew characters for a playful pop of colour

• 💕 Mills and Swoon romantic motifs for hopelessly stylish romantics

• 🖤 Blink Friction edgy upcycled fashion graphics for your inner rebel

They’re like pocket-sized windows into the Tale Teller world.

🏠 How to Display Them

One of the joys of acrylic blocks is how versatile they are:

• Desk companions: Pop one next to your laptop for inspiration during long workdays.

• Bookshelf buddies: Stand them between novels for a literary/artistic mash-up.

• Mantel moments: Cluster a few together to create a striking mini-gallery.

• Window magic: Place near natural light – the acrylic catches and refracts it beautifully.

They’re small enough to fit in tight spaces but bold enough to get noticed.

🎁 Gift Ideas

Need a gift that feels thoughtful but won’t break the bank? Acrylic blocks tick every box:

• For art lovers: A collectible piece they can display anywhere.

• For bookworms: Pair with a Tale Teller Club book or Kindle edition.

• For music fans: Match the design to their favourite Immersion Static single.

• For kids or teens: Choose a Rat Gang Crew or Tale Teller Kids design for their room.

• For yourself: Yes, self-gifting is a thing – especially when it’s this cute.

They also make excellent stocking fillers, desk-warming presents, and ‘just because’ surprises for friends who appreciate unique, story-driven art.

🖤 Why We Love Them

At Tale Teller Club, we believe art should be fun, accessible, and part of your everyday life – not just something locked away in galleries. Acrylic blocks are perfect little art ambassadors: durable, collectible, and endlessly giftable.

💡 Tip: Start with one block, then build your own mini-gallery over time. The more you collect, the more your display becomes a reflection of your Tale Teller journey.

Ableteen Robot Servant Book of Immersion Strata 1 Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Book of Immersion – “Butterfly Effect” Illustration Strata 1 Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Mercury POS Book of Immersion Strata 1 Collectors Issue Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Book of Immersion Strata 1 Cover Art Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Book of Immersion Orange Patch Logo Art Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Cyborg Bloom – Futuristic Floral Robot Portrait Ship of Sirens Art by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Mr Capricious Music Video Still Art by Tale Teller Club Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Renyke Dreams of Flex Book Of Immersion Illustration Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Pucker Up Trump and Putin Politica UK Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Thread Bear Autism Baby Rat by Tale Teller Kids Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Neon sci-fi vibes from The Book of Immersion Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Baby Army by Toddle Poddle 6 Times Table Maths Fun Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Cheeky Baby Crew Toddle Poddle Army Tale Teller Kids Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Cyan and Pink Lady with Monocle Neon Collection Tale Teller Club Merch Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Beats Ministry Tale Teller Club Orchestra Neon Logo Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


After Titian’s by Sarnia, scribble painting mandala portrait Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Blue Jesus by Scribble Artist illustrator Sarnia de la Mare Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Inclusion and Positivity Tale Teller Kids Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Sunflower Shining on a Sunny Day by Sarnia de la Mare Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Crew Neon Lights by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Different is Brilliant Neurodivergence Art by Sarnia for Tale Teller Kids Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


The Book of Immersion Tale Teller Club in Neon Lights Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Tale Teller Kids Neurodivergence Logo Rainbow Bird In Headphones Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


The Bird Garden Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


The She J by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Pink Skull and Crow with Butterfly Eye by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Sirens from The Immersion Book by Tale Teller Club pixel Paintings Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Boy Racer Gang Crew by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Crew Books Graf Artist in His Castle by iServalan in Greyscale Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Girl Racer from Rat Gang Crew and the Broken City by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Punk from Rat Gang Crew and the Broken City Tale Teller Club Books Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Amalie and the Yellow Monsters Rat Gang Crew and the Overgrounders Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Crew Biker Scout by iServalan for Tale Teller Kids Book Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


There’s a Mouse in the House Rat Gang Crew Illustration by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


The Countess of Brighton and Hackney is Gifted Modern Art Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Ratty and Mouse from Rat Gang Crew by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Boy Racer Chase from Rat Gang Crew Books Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Crew Logo by Tale Teller Kids Books Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Scribble Painting no 7 by iServalan Exclusive to Tale Teller Club Records Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Scribble Painting no 6 by iServalan Exclusive to Tale Teller Club Records Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Copy of Scribble Painting no 4 by iServalan Exclusive to Tale Teller Club Records Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Scribble Painting no 3 by iServalan Exclusive to Tale Teller Club Records Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Scribble Painting no 2 by iServalan Exclusive to Tale Teller Club Records Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Scribble Painting no 1 by iServalan Exclusive to Tale Teller Club Records Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Scribble Painting no5 by iServalan Exclusive to Tale Teller Club Records Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Crew Logo Design by iServalan White on Black Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Crew Logo Design by iServalan Black on White Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Kiss Kiss Lady Love Monochrome Logo Heart Retro 1960s Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Mr Fox Watercolour Illustration by Pasha Wildlife Painter Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Pink Flamingo at Midnight with Twinkly Stars by Goddamn Media Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Leather Corset In White Fashion Illustration by Goddamn Media Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Leather Corset Fashion Illustration by Goddamn Media Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Fred Wears Puffballs and blows Bubbles Walking His Stag by iServalan Book s Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Happy Hippo with Crane Fly Watercolour by Tale Teller Club Books Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Me and Cat Sleeping in Winter Monochrome Art by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


She Came Darkly With Grave Intent by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Little Miss Muffet Monochrome Baby Spider by iServalan Alternative Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


You Are My Flower Erotica Sensual Series by Goddamn Media Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Monochrome Pin Up Girl by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Music Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


She Was a Soldier by iServalan Monochrome Book Art Tale Teller Club Publishing Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Cat on my Head Monochrome by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Music Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Cats in Black and Gold Leaf Art Pet Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


The Cat’s Behind Black and Gold Leaf Art by iServalan for Tale Teller Club Music Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Clever Mr Owl Kids’ Book Illustration for Tale Teller Club Publishing Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Moo Cow Happy Bull Watercolour Cute Bright Kids’ Toddle Poddle Illustration Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Girl Crew Poster Art for Tale Teller Club Books Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


The Rat Killer Book Illustration for Tale Teller Club Books Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Watercolour painting Cat n Collar by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Boy Racer Rebel by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rat Gang Girl Crew with Cat and Ice Cream by iServalan Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Skull Ballet Shoes Goddamn Media Post Card Design 20011 Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Rebel Biker Boy Rat Gang Rebels Book Illustration by Sarnia Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Scout from the Rat Gang Crew Book By Sarnia Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Cat Contemporary Art Pet Portrait Tabby Book Illustration iServalan Painting Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Study in Pencil and. Charcoal on Paper by Sarnia Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Arduino by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Black Hearts by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Art Nouveau Forest by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Easter Bonnets by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Beasts by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Lovely Bubble Bugs by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


My Personal Cloud by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Bad Weather by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Wonderful Morning for Beasts by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26
£22.99 (25% off)


Tiger Feet by iServalan Homotech 23 Illustration Art by Tale Teller Club Orchestrations Acrylic Block
£17.26

iServalan Music School The Power of Recording Yourself Music Tips for Advancing Musicians

 

iServalan Music School

The Power of Recording Yourself

A short, high-impact practice habit for string players and pianists that accelerates progress, sharpens timing, and cleans up intonation.

Today’s focus: simple phone recordings ➜ rapid feedback ➜ smarter practice.

Listening Back Reveals What Playing Hides

• Fresh ears for intonation: You’ll immediately hear notes that are consistently sharp/flat (especially at string crossings).
• Timing awareness: Spot rushing/dragging once you’re not busy playing.
• Technique check: Weak fingers on piano, heavy thumbs, lazy bow arm, tip-of-bow drop-off — they all show up on playback.
• Faster progress: Build a fix-list every session; you’ll improve in a fraction of the time.

How to Record Without Overwhelm

1. Practice normally for 10–15 minutes.
2. Pick one short passage (30–60 seconds) you want to check.
3. Hit record on your phone, then listen back immediately.
4. Note one win + one fix to guide your next practice.

Tip: Phone audio is compressed (lower ambience/reverb), but that’s perfect for hearing pitch, balance, and articulation clearly.

---

For String Players

• Open strings first: If they’re out, everything else will be out.
• Bow contact: Keep the hair perpendicular; listen for scratch vs. core tone.
• Weight map: Are you too heavy at the frog? Too light at the tip?
• Gear matters: Old bow hair or harsh strings = harsh playback. Try the same tune on one string, then another, and compare.

For Pianists

• Finger equality: Which finger is always soft (pinky) or heavy (thumb)?
• Directional accuracy: Missed notes often come from approach angle and excess force.
• Acoustic vs digital: Acoustic pianos must be tuned regularly; digital is set-and-forget.

Today’s Practice Challenge

Record one verse of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” (Suzuki Book 1). Then write:

• 1 win (what sounded good)
• 1 fix (what needs work)
• 1 plan (your next step: e.g., slow string crossing, open-string tuning, bow-weight drill)

What’s Next

Tomorrow: Piano & Cello — whole-bow control, relaxed tone, and clean phrase endings using Twinkle as our canvas.

Visit iServalan.com Join on Gumroad

Members get structured lesson plans, bonus practice trackers, and access to iServalan’s full music school archive.

Recording Advantages for Advancing Music Students iServalan: Music & Method

Hello musicians, welcome to the show. So just a short broadcast today about the advantage and how to details of recording yourself as a musician. Now, even if you have just started, you know, and you're playing eeky screechy strings or you're really slow or your timing's a bit out, as soon as you start recording yourself and and what I recommend is if you want this to really benefit, right? And it it makes an amazing difference if you record every practice that you do, don't you don't have to record the whole thing because you'll end up just with, you know, hundreds of recordings. 

It' be a pain. just you know have your practice and then if your practice is 10 minutes long at the end of the practice decide what you're going to play the how you think you've got on maybe it's one piece you've been doing a couple of phrases you don't have to you don't even have to do the whole lot at this early stage record yourself use your phone now the problem I suppose about recording on a phone is it it does sound pretty grim so even you know as a podcaster I know that when I play back some of my recordings They sound awful on the phone. It's because there's no um there's no sort of resonance. 

The systems that that record things on your phone and you know like your podcast or if you're recording for Facebook or any of these places is they compress the files and this is so there isn't sound going everywhere and it they they also level it out. So they level out the volume so it's all the same. And that way when you scream, if you screamed or if you played a really loud note, the the people who are listening are not going to be scared or frightened or or you know crash their car because people do listen while they're driving. Hopefully uh a stable phone that they're not touching. It's all voice controlled. So I'm not lecturing, but you know, you should never um be distracted by the phone. 

But, you know, listening to podcasts about learning music while you're driving is a really good way to learn if you've got a a long old drive. And also, it's a great way to listen to stories and um you know, music, to listen to some of the most fantastic music in in the in the massive history of the world, you know, all these different countries and all these different styles. Anyway, we'll talk about those in another broadcast. So, recording yourself on the phone has innate issues, right? The files are compressed. There's no ambience or reverb or, you know, and if you, in fact, if you recorded yourself in a hall, all you'd hear would be the reverb. 

So, the reverb is completely and utterly controlled by this sort of compression. Um when you record for a a record um you know a professional recording a produced recording um you know all of these things would be sorted and the file would be uploaded in a web file but um for things like YouTube and you know other places the audio is turned into a a much smaller file and it compresses stuff. So, you lose lots and lots of the actually quite interesting but completely out of control bits and pieces that the the podcast platform or whatever doesn't want to have to um you know share with the world otherwise none of us would be listening to YouTube at all. 

So, they're they all the sound sounds pretty much the same. So, that's the first thing but this is just for you say. So, um you know, I guess different phones have different recording um standards, but trust me on this. A phone is never going to record you as well as um a couple of really goodplaced microphones. So, that's the the one thing to bear in mind. You're not getting the full beauty of a recording on a phone, and you never will. But what it does pick up, and it picks up really well, are things like being out of tune. 

That's the the first thing it shows really obviously because when you're actually listening and you're concentrating so hard on this, you know, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, say. Um, that's what we're doing this week. We're going to do cello tomorrow, by the way, for chists. And we've already done the uh the bass and the viola. Um, so when you know when you're playing that and you're in the thick of it and you're really concentrating very hard, you can go out of tune really easily. And what you'll find actually by recording yourself, you'll think, why do I always go wrong at this point and you can look at it and you can say, you follow it with your finger and you can say, ah, it's every time I cross a string, I'm too flat or I'm too sharp. Sometimes you don't know whether you're too sharp or too flat. 

You just know it sounds horrible. But what happens then is you can actually work on that. So something that you didn't know before the start of this recording and something you do know at the end of it is that you know you've got this thing where when you cross over you're a bit flat or a bit sharp. The other thing is it's quite easy to be out of tune on your open notes. And if you're out of tune on your open notes, you're going to be out of tune whatever you do. So you really need to to check that. And it it's quite a good idea to um record your open strings because for some reason when especially with a viola or actually with a double bass as well, you know, you've got this big noise and the reverb of the body and everything and the vibration. It's very exciting, but it can stop you pinpointing the actual vibration of the string. What it, you know, the actual sound in your ear. 

It's a learned skill. So, it takes quite a long time to get good of that good at that. Um, but I'd only recommend doing that, you know, if you if you know you've got a massive problem with tuning, then you need to work on it. Okay. We're going to be covering tuning all this week and next as well. So, panic not. Um, so that that's just one thing. Now, what what else? Well, you know what? When you hold the bow, if you're slightly off and it's not quite perpendicular, you're going to get icky screechy. And it's actually quite easy to pick up icky screechy on the viola because it's right next to your ear. But on something like the cello or the double bass, it's a little bit harder. It's a little bit harder to see. 

These instruments are bigger. It's it's harder to understand where you're going wrong. Are you pushing into the string too much? Are you not putting the weight of the bow onto the string and therefore not getting good contact? You need really good contact with the string. That's really important. Is your bow rubbish? Not just the way you hold it, but the actual bow this, you know, the horseair on your bow. Is it rubbish? Funny enough, I just played my um acoustic viola and I I've I haven't mislaid, but I've got several places I play music. So, my my bow for the electric was was in another room, but I had a cello bow, so I just played that um on the on the acoustic viola and it sounded rubbish. And that's probably because horsehair is better for um acoustic instruments. 

I I'm using vegan bows for the electric, but they they are actually much better. Um, and even I mean I bought a Mongolian horsehair bow and and even that can sound slightly better than a a synthetic one. So, you know, something to think about. Now, you'll hear this if you if you're listening to your recordings, you're going to hear things that you don't like. And by a process of elimination, you can work out what it is. Is my bow rubbish? Are my strings rubbish? That's the biggest one. I mean, when I first started playing, I just had the strings that came with the instrument. They were absolutely horrible. I thought I kept thinking, why don't I sound good? Why don't I sound nice? What's wrong with my string? I mean, this is another way to look at it. Just just play, you know, notes are we we understand the spacing between semmitones and whole tones. 

You can play a whole tune down one string. It's quite hard, but it's doable. Um hopefully, I mean, I won't go into when you have to swap strings, but try if you try and do that. Play a whole tune on one string and record that. And then perhaps you've got a different type of string on another um key uh on another note rather open string and it it was a more expensive one and it sounds so much better when you play that that tune on that string then then you you know don't you you know it's the string I don't like the string. Some people swear by not having a mix of strings. 

Personally I like to have a mix of strings. Um, having the same strings on each one does mean you kind of get how it's going to respond, but I always think definitely with the A string, you need a different style of responding really than than with the deeper strings. So, you know, that's something else that you'll learn as the years goes go by. You know, the other thing is when you listen is your timing because you're not concentrating on actually playing. So you can hear if your timing's out or if you're you know what I do I do a lot I I put a jazz improv in there that doesn't belong just doesn't belong. But because I like to concentrate on single notes at a time and I the beauty of the single note and I love practicing with the whole bow. Um it's one of my favorite tasks each each practice. um you know it really helps you learn about your contact with that string. 

So if you if you um record that you can hear you know as you're coming down to the tip are you getting lazy of elbow is that wobbling a little bit because you're the note as you come down to the point is getting it's weaker because you're falling into it too much maybe. Do you see what I mean? You need to lift that elbow up probably. Um, what about the other extreme? You know, when you're starting at the bottom, um, what what does that sound like? Is that Are you too heavy on there? Especially with the viola, I find you've got to be really light, really very light. Um, it's quite difficult coming from uh different instruments because the weights are very different. 

And I always have to practice, you know, at least half an hour before I do my proper practice because I have to remind myself how my body and you know the the space around me is going to engage with this this instrument. Um and this different strings, complete different sounds, resonances, you know, different strings, different wave patterns, just different everything. Uh, and and the more you practice with each one, the better you get and you can get into that zone more quickly. 

Do you see what I mean? Um, so yes. Now, what about piano? You might think, oh, you know, there's no talking about strings all the time. Piano's a little bit different because it's already tuned for you. Hopefully, you're using a digital one is probably the best bet um in this day and age. Um, but if you've got an an acoustic piano, you really need to be on the ball and have that regularly tuned, which is, you know, difficult to be completely on it all the time. Um, but uh, recording yourself digitally, it's going to show you other things. It's going to show you've got a lazy finger. Why is Why is that one that note always a bit weak? Oh, look at that. It's my pinky. 

No wonder. Do you see what I mean? You can hear it. Do you can hear that? It perhaps it was slightly quieter. Why is my why is that note so heavy all the time? Oh, it's my thumb. I need to lay off that. I need to be a bit more a bit lighter or have a different energy as I as I fall into the note. When you fall into a note on the piano, instead of a bow, you have your hand. 

But it's the same sort of principle really. You have to be directionally correct. You have to have the right weight. Um, and you know, if you get either of those two things wrong, it you can miss a note and you can catch the the next note or worse still play two notes at once. Do you see? So, it's a really good habit to get into this um recording yourself. And if you're, you know, I mean, we've all got phones nowadays. You literally have your phone on your music stand at the end there. 

Press play press record. Or if you've got a bit you're not sure of, press record then have a listen back. What am I doing wrong? Ah yeah, I can hear it. I can hear it. It's absolutely fantastic. I guarantee that if you do this technique from the beginning, you will find that you master your instrument probably in half as much time as somebody who didn't do that. As well as all the other tips and tricks I'm going to give you, of course. Right. I hope you enjoyed that um that talking podcast music lesson. 

Um so tomorrow we're doing piano and cello, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. We're going to start at book one with the old Suzuki. And if you want to sign up for free access um memberships, you have to pay a membership fee, but you get free access to all of my supplementary material and all of these lovely lessons and the the lesson plans for teachers and students as well, which is basically everything I've talked about, but put it in a lesson plan. So, it's just really organized. 

It's not loads of me rambling on. Um, so if you pop over to iserverland.com, you'll see the music site on there. I'm also on Gumroad. Iserverland.gumroad um.com that is sorry. So yeah, pop along and and sign up and you can have loads and load so much supplementary material. It'll be coming out your ears and that's just another way to get really really good, isn't it?

Tale Teller Club Bandcamp Catalogue and Fan Merch

Bandcamp Catalogue

We are uploading daily tracks from the last five years to Bandcamp over the coming 

weeks with multi genre electronic and experimental music most of which has

been featured in the Book of Immersion movies.

Doing Nothing

My Ship Sales

Mr Capricious

Minor Matter

Birth of Adom

The Chase

Black Flute

Vapor Punk Jazz

Adelaide

Double Bass Suzuki Method First lesson Introduction, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

 

🎻 iServalan Music School — Double Bass Lesson

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star — Suzuki Book 1

Hello double bass players! Today we’re starting Suzuki Book 1 with the classic “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” We’ll focus on the first phrase, working pizzicato first and then bowing. This is perfect for beginners and a great refresh for intermediate players.

🎯 Lesson Goals

• Learn to support and balance the double bass comfortably, standing or sitting.
• Play the first phrase of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with pizzicato.
• Understand bowing basics and string crossings while keeping good posture.
• Develop awareness of left-hand preparation and smooth string transitions.

🎼 Setting Up

Your bass should almost balance by itself, resting the right-side ridge against your hip. Whether standing or sitting (on a tall stool is best), keep your feet comfortably apart. Your left hand should rest on the neck near the nut, with thumb and forefinger forming a relaxed “C” shape. Over time, you’ll develop muscle memory for note spacing.

🎵 Tuning & Open Strings

Tune carefully — apps are fine, but your ear is even better. Check open strings by playing them against the A major scale to make sure you’re in tune before placing fingers down. Correct tuning is crucial, as every fingered note depends on it.

🎸 Pizzicato Practice

Play through the first phrase using pizzicato. Use the pattern: open – 1 – 4 – 1 – open – 4 – 1 – open. Cross strings smoothly and always have your left hand ready for the next note before you pluck.

🎻 Bowing Technique

When bowing, keep your bow perpendicular to the string you’re on. Each time you cross to a different string, adjust the bow angle slightly — the base of the bow rises or lowers as you move across strings. Practice this in front of a mirror to check arm shape, bow angle, and posture. Start near the base of the fingerboard for a warmer tone, then experiment closer to the bridge for volume and brightness.

🪞 Practice Tips

• Always play near a mirror to check your arm, wrist, and bow angle.
• Prepare the next finger while playing the current note — always be one step ahead.
• Practice string crossings slowly until smooth, then add speed.
• If memorizing is difficult, focus on reading one bar ahead in your music.

🎬 Homework

• Play the first phrase with pizzicato five times slowly, focusing on hand preparation.
• Repeat the phrase with bowing, checking your posture in the mirror.
• Record yourself once and watch back — notice arm angles, bow straightness, and tone quality.

📌 Resources

All play-along tracks, PDFs, and videos are available in the member section of the Music School. Join here to get full access »

🎻 Suzuki Book 1 – Viola Lesson 1: Posture, Open Strings & First Exercise

https://iservalan.gumroad.com/l/musicschool

---

🎻 Suzuki Book 1 – Viola Lesson 1: Posture, Open Strings & First Exercise

Hello musicians!
Welcome to our very first Suzuki Book 1 lesson for viola. Today we’re focusing on body positioning, open strings, and our very first A-string exercise.

---

🧍‍♀️ Step 1: Finding Your Playing Stance

Let’s begin with posture:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.

• Soften your knees – no locking, no stiffness.

• Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed.

Yes, you can sit to practice, but I recommend standing – it strengthens your core and helps you feel freer while playing.

---

🎻 Step 2: Holding the Viola

Place the viola under your chin and support it gently with your left hand, cupping it between thumb and forefinger.

• Hold it near the body of the instrument.

• Move it slightly in small circles – get to know its weight and shape.

• You’re making friends with your instrument – let it feel like part of your personal space bubble.

Now, tuck your chin and try to hold the viola without your left hand – letting your chin, jaw, and shoulder do the work. This is the natural position you want whenever you play.

💡 Tip: Practice taking your hand away now and then. It reminds you that you don’t need a death grip – your head and shoulder are already doing much of the work.

---

🏹 Step 3: Meet the Bow

Hold your bow vertically (tip to sky, frog to floor) and let your fingers slide gently along it. Feel the balance and flexibility.

FYI – I use a vegan bow with my electric viola. It works beautifully, but I use plenty of rosin since synthetic strings can be a little different.

---

🎶 Step 4: Open Strings

Let’s play through the open strings:

• Start with your bow halfway along its length and drop it gently onto the C string.

• Pull – don’t push – and let the string ring.

• Notice the difference between forcing the sound and simply letting it sing.

Work your way across:
C → G → D → A

Notice the fingerboard’s curve – you’ll need to adjust your elbow height and bow angle to stay clean on one string without accidentally hitting another.

---

📝 Step 5: First Exercise (A String Focus)

Open Suzuki Book 1 to the first exercise.
You’ll notice:

• Four short notes in quick succession (look for the two beams on the stems).

• Two slightly longer notes (single beam).

• Dots above each note – meaning play them detached.

We also see a down-bow mark – a little square bracket above the first note. This means start with a downward motion, from frog toward the tip.

---

🎯 Step 6: Practice Pattern

Play slowly at first:

• Four short bows, then two slightly longer bows.

• Keep the bow perpendicular to the string, elbow in the correct place.

• Check your posture in a mirror – back straight, no leaning forward.

When you feel confident, speed it up a little – but always keep the sound smooth and controlled.

---

✅ Homework

• Familiarize yourself with the four open strings.

• Practice holding the viola without your left hand.

• Play today’s exercise several times each day, slowly at first.

• Use a mirror to check elbow position and back alignment.

Remember – we’re building habits that will stay with you for life. Take it slow and get it right from the start.

See you tomorrow for the next step!

---

 Check out the iServalan tee ranges inspired by the Book of Immersion films series

Join The Film School for tons of free stuff!

Trouble With Lovers Piano and Drums by Tale Teller Club #filmmusic