Frequently Asked Questions: Bow Edition

Frequently Asked Questions:  Bow Edition

Q.   How often should I rosin my bow, and how do I tell when it needs rosin?

A.  The answer to this question depends on how often you play your violin.  I typically tell my beginning students to rosin their bows one to two times a week.  More advanced students will most likely want to rosin their bows more frequently.  To answer the second question, if you are a more advanced player you will be able to tell by how the bow responds on the string if you need more rosin or not.  For less experienced players, I suggested that they hold the bow and look directly down the bow hair. 

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How-to Buy Your First Violin

How-to Buy Your First Violin

Buying your first violin can be an exciting yet daunting experience.  Whether you are purchasing your first quality instrument after years of renting, or upgrading your original investment to a higher end instrument, there is often a never-ending list of questions that come along with the decision to buy.  Where do you go, what do you do once you get there, and how do you know if a violin is right for you?

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The Art Of Consistency

The Art Of Consistency

At one point or another, it has happened to all of us.  You work hard on your repertoire all week putting in extra hours to perfect it, then you go into your lesson and everything falls apart.  As you play, your frustration builds and you try in vain to assure your teacher that you have in-fact been practicing diligently all week.  Leaving your lesson, you worry that all your hard work was for nothing, and you feel a sense of disappointment that the positive experience you were hoping for turned into such a struggle.

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Five Ways To Make The Most Of Your Practice Time

Five Ways To Make The Most Of Your Practice Time

Ah practicing, that necessary yet often dreaded task that comes along with learning an instrument.  You’ve probably been told throughout your musical studies that it is important to practice several days a week for a set amount of time, but it seems there is a bit of a mystery surrounding exactly what you should be doing during your practice time.  So with school, homework and other extra curricular activities all demanding your time and attention, how do you make the most of your practice time?  

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