"If you take a violin, you can make it sound 50 different ways. Not just pizzicato and played by the bow, but ponticello, and harmonics, and tremolos. If you take an oboe and play it, there's about one way you can make it sound: like an oboe." ~ John Corigliano
Your Instrument
The First Step: Avoid going to the closest music store and picking up just any violin. To begin with, violins need to be sized for children. Violins come in different sizes: 1/16, 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, and 4/4 (or full size). As children grow, they move up from size to size. Playing on a violin that is too large for a student is difficult, uncomfortable, and straining for small hands and bodies. If a child is in between sizes, it is recommended to choose the smaller of the two.
The Quality of Your Instrument: Unfortunately, most of the time when purchasing violins, you get what you pay for. If you pay a minimal, unbelievably good price for an instrument it is probably just that: unbelievable. Today, there is a lot of beautiful junk being manufactured. Violins are mass produced in factories by the hour. The quality of materials used is poor, thus making the price cheap and the sound equivalent to it. Producers do not take the essential amount of time necessary to properly set up a violin; therefore the results are lousy, twangy, uninspiring sounding instruments. A few examples include the strings manufacturers wind onto their violins: the materials used to produce them sorely lack in quality, resulting in an undesirable sound, as well as a tendency to snap. The sound post is often positioned improperly and/or is leaning, and often the bridge will be placed backwards or is not set up straight on the violin, causing the bridge to warp.
To avoid these problems, I encourage potential students to contact me before making a decision about which instrument/ retailer to choose. I can walk you through the process, answer your questions, help you find affordable, yet reliable deals, and recommend to you dealers I know and trust.
To Rent or to Buy? Violins can be bought or rented quite affordably. Which is better? If you have several children and want to pass the violin down the line, then buying a violin would be a good investment. However, if you are not sure that your son or daughter will want to take lessons for a long period of time, a wiser decision would be to rent the instrument. Another scenario could involve a rapidly growing child who wants to take violin lessons. Though violins can be bought and sold, it tends to be a hassle. Most venues will exchange the instrument you are renting for the next size up at any time during the rental period for no extra fee. If at any time your child decides that he no longer wants to take lessons, you can simply return the instrument to the retailer with no complications. I recommend all beginner students rent instruments for these very reasons.
If you decide that you want to buy a violin, many retailers offer rent-to-own programs, meaning that you rent the instrument until the price is paid off. This is especially beneficial if you have a child who is beginning lessons, but is already able to use a full size violin. You can begin by renting the instrument, and if he decides to no longer take lessons, you can return it. However, if he decides he absolutely loves playing and wants something more permanent, you can continue renting the violin until it is paid off.
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"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."~ Victor Hugo
Your Lessons
Which is Better: Private or Group Lessons? With private lessons, your time slot is exactly that: your own. Students receive every moment of time paid for, because as the only pupil in the class full attention is focused on them. Students advance at their own pace. Private lessons are an advantage to younger children. If you have a four year old starting out, it is not a good idea to start her in lessons with her eight year old brother. Brother would learn faster, and the pace set would only overwhelm sister. Attention spans are also an issue for younger children; thus a shorter private lesson one-on-one would be of greater benefit than a longer group lesson.
Group lessons are also beneficial in some aspects; however, children should be at similar skill levels in order for this to be successful. Group lessons not only provide an opportunity for learning a musical instrument, but also for developing a skill that can be shared and enjoyed together through the learning process. Group lessons also offer the opportunity for confidence to develop, social skills to broaden, and concentration to grow.
Are Adults Also Able to Learn to Play? Absolutely! Music is beneficial no matter what your age. Studies show that adults can also benefit from learning this art because it helps in keeping the mind alert and active, eventually helping to sharpen the memory.
Are Parents and Their Children Able to Learn Together? Enhanced learning is possible when parents and children learn together. It is never too late to learn a musical instrument, so why not take the opportunity to participate with your beginning son or daughter? This method is especially effective with younger children. You can help them along through each step. Parents and children can go to lessons together, practice together, and play together! A great relationship building tool, students are motivated when they see their parents doing the same things they are doing.
Please note: while the method is extremely beneficial for beginning children, parents may need to learn at a slower pace due to the nature of the situation. These kind of lessons are an excellent starting tool; generally, however, parents who want to excel in their playing will need to eventually take seperate lessons from their children.
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Violin Instruction 
