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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Metronome 101

Metronome 101

Metronome, that nine letter word that strikes fear (and slight annoyance) into the hearts of students everywhere.  At some point throughout your studies you’ve probably been told that you need to use a metronome.  You go home, turn it on, and after about five minutes you have the urge to throw it out the window.  So, how do you use a metronome to effectively help you in practice?

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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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Four Tips For Fall And Winter Instrument Care

Four Tips For Fall And Winter Instrument Care

Ah, fall . . . vivid colours, crisp apples and a brisk nip in the evening air.  It’s a beautiful time of year, and as you pull your favorite sweater out of the closet, it’s also important to think about how seasonal changes in the weather can affect your violin.  Humidity and temperature changes can occur quite rapidly during seasonal transitions, so it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your instrument for signs of distress.  Here are a few helpful things to keep in mind as we head into the fall and winter months.   

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