Information for Prospective Violin & Viola Students
Suzuki Method Requests
I am familiar with the Suzuki Violin Method and have studied the repertoire, but I am not a certified Suzuki instructor. My beginning violin and viola students are assigned method books from the Sassmannshaus Tradition.
Beginners
Beginners should only request lessons if they can commit to at least four lessons in a row. This encourages good habits to develop from the start. Parents may be asked to attend lessons until I feel the child is able to practice productively on their own.
Beginning students should plan on 30 minute lessons. There may be instances where students are either very young or have extremely short attention spans. To help prepare these students for a 30 minute lesson, 15 minute lessons are offered as long as the student is consistently progressing. A parent should attend all lessons and monitor practice time daily for any student who receives a 15 minute lesson.
For very young students wishing to begin on viola, it is highly recommended to begin on violin and then switch. Student-sized violas can be difficult to obtain. There have been cases where student-sized violins have been strung to act as violas. This practice is not in the best interest of the student.
Beginning students on the violin and viola should not attempt to play the instrument before the first lesson.
The first few weeks of lessons will be devoted to holding the instrument and bow correctly. Only when these skills have been mastered will the student begin to play the instrument. Students who develop a good bow hold and hold their instrument correctly will progress faster when they begin playing.
Any students who have not learned to read music will have a music theory workbook and/or flashcards assigned. Flashcards should be used daily.
Instrument
Anyone requesting violin or viola lessons should contact one of the shops listed below to obtain an appropriately sized instrument and/or to make sure their current instrument is correctly sized and in good condition. If a family has a good relationship with a shop or music store not listed below, they are encouraged to contact them.
Instruments used for daily practice must be kept in playable condition.
Beginning students on violin or viola are encouraged to rent instruments. Please get information on rental rates and availability of a correctly sized student instrument before requesting a lesson. The student will need to go to a shop to be properly sized for an instrument. An instrument is required at the first lesson. It must be playable, correctly sized and include a properly fitted shoulder rest. (Link will open in new window.)
When signing a rental agreement for an instrument, please make sure you can exchange the instrument if I do not agree with the sizing.
SHAR music provides an excellent guide for buying a student instrument. (Link will open in new window.) Your teacher does not recommend buying an instrument without a trial period. Bringing the instrument to at least one lesson is encouraged.
Suggested Shops
Instrument Care & Maintenance
Two routine expenses students should be aware of with the violin and viola are string replacements and bow rehairs. As a general rule, everything for the viola will be more expensive than violin.
Everyone who rents or buys an instrument from a shop should ask for information on instrument care and maintenance. An alternative resource on the care of your instrument is James M. McKean’s Common Sense Instrument Care: How to Look After Your Violin, Viola, or Cello and Bow. The ISBN number is 978-0962608193. Stringed instruments are fragile and can be easily damaged; knowledge is the best way to prevent damage and costly repairs.
Never leave an instrument in an unattended car. Treat it with the same care as you would a baby or family pet.
If there is a problem with your violin, viola or bow and you are unsure of what to do, please contact me immediately. Do not wait until your lesson. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to take it to a shop for repairs. I am not qualified to repair instruments. However, I can make suggestions and offer guidance on how to explain your instruments problem to a shop.
Shoulder Rest
Shoulder rests are required for all violin and viola students. Most shops will assist students with choosing and adjusting a shoulder rest. If the shop offers a few types of shoulder rests, ask if they have a model you can try with your instrument before buying. Be aware that shoulder rests have to be replaced as a child grows and needs different sized instruments. (All links will open in a new window.)
Metronome
All students must have a metronome that includes a reference pitch of A=440. (All links will open in a new window.)
All violin and viola students are required to bring their metronome to the first lesson. I recommend purchasing a metronome that is physically separate from a cell phone. (All links will open in a new window.)
Music Stand
Violin and viola students who aren’t beginners will need a music stand that is an appropriate height. A stand that does not allow a student to stand up straight while playing is too short.
Beginning students may wait and buy a stand after they have mastered basic skills required to play their instrument while reading music.
Books & Other Materials
All students are required to have a spiral notebook for lesson notes. Spiral notebook should be 10.5 x 8 inches.
Beginning violin and viola students will have an Amazon.com link for their method book emailed to them.
If a student has already studied with a particular method book or series, please bring them to the first lesson. Advanced students should bring music for the most recent work studied.
Violin and viola students are usually assigned a music theory workbook. This is dependent on the age and level of the student. Some of these workbooks are designed for beginning string players. A link from Amazon.com will be emailed. Students assigned a music theory workbook should have it for their first lesson.
Please have a pencil for marking music and completing workbook assignments.
Additional materials will be discussed as needed.