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How to pick the best shoulder rest for your body and my top 3 picks as a teacher (violin and viola)
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As an Amazon Associate I receive commission from links to Amazon on this page. I may receive commission from other links as well. The topic of shoulder rests can be very controversial; however, I think that the instead of focusing on whether or not to use one, the focus should be on teaching students…
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What to carry in your violin case (EDC for students and teachers)
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My smallest students are always very curious to see what I carry in all the different pockets of my case, and they often want to be sure they are as “up-to-date” as their teacher when it comes to their EDC (every day carry). I try to keep it basic, functional, and affordable. So let’s…
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3 Tips to Sound Better on the Violin and Viola (get off the plateau of intermediate sound)
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Tip #1 Four Strings = Four Different Vibrations Think of it this way, you have four very thick ropes suspended loosely between posts in front of you. The one on the left is the thickest and each one to the right of that is slightly thinner than the one before. Now imagine trying to…
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Tackle Thirds on the Violin and Viola. Why “reaching more with the third/fourth finger” doesn’t help.
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Let’s talk double-stopping thirds on the violin and viola! This interval can be challenging, but there are a few things that can take them from feeling impossible to quite manageable with some dedicated practice. The misconception: Reaching with the third/fourth finger To play thirds correctly, many violinists and violists must make a mental adjustment…
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Troubleshoot shifting into high positions on violin and viola. Stop climbing Mt. Everest!
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I often have reminded my students to stop trying to climb Mt. Everest when they are shifting up on the violin and viola. There are both psychological factors and physical factors that can make shifting into the higher positions challenging. Taking these factors into account and making a few adjustments will make you more…
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Is the violin hard to learn?
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As a teacher for more than a decade, I have often been asked this question. I used to say, “No, everyone should give it a try!” because why not? I love it, everyone else will too. But, I have since had to realize that it is not a yes/no question at all, and that…
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How to find a good string teacher
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Congratulations! You or your child want to learn a stringed instrument (aka violin, viola, cello, bass). Finding a good teacher is the first and one of the most important steps you will take but now especially with the internet, there are a flood of options to choose from! Consider this your guide for narrowing…
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How to do Up-bow Staccato on the Violin and Viola
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Up-bow staccato is one of the flashier techniques in violin playing and is found in several of the core pieces of the repertoire. In this post I’ll teach you what it is and how to play and practice it effectively. What is up-bow staccato? Staccato in music essentially means to create a separation between…
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Learning Up-bow Staccato in the Suzuki Violin Method
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Staccato is a musical notation that is usually interpreted as a shortening of the note in order to create space or silence between notes. In stringed instruments this shortening of the note is created by abruptly stopping the movement of the bow, even if for a fraction of a second. The staccato technique is…
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How to Play Minuet No. 1: Full Tutorial with Practice Guidelines
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Main Teaching Points For the Bow: For the left hand: Musical Aspects: Step-by-step for teaching the song Assignments for daily home practice