Practice isn’t always fun. As a kid, I became frustrated when, in my words, “I sucked” at playing something. A very kind, but brutally honest teacher overheard me and pointed out the difficult truth: I would continue to suck, until …
Do I Have to Play in Front of People?
The short answer is, of course, “No.” You can learn an instrument and be happy just playing for your own enjoyment. Many hobby musicians do just that – but what if playing in front of people actually made music even …
Is Your Child Ready for the Violin?
It’s only natural, in our current climate of the “earlier the better” in education, to want to start our little ones on string instruments as soon as they can walk. But is it right? Maybe, maybe not – as a …
5 Ways Musicians are Like Scientists
Why a musician’s approach to life will help your kids All my life, I have been fascinated by sound: it’s production, transmission and how it affects our lives. I love sound – music, language, and nature. I love it so …
I Got a Violin for Christmas!
It is that time of year! Whether it was Hanukkah, Yule, or Christmas, I get to hear from students who are beyond thrilled with their new treasure…until they try to play it. Let’s face it, playing the violin (or viola) …
Syncopation…or STINKopation?
4 Simple Strategies to Help Tame the Beast When I was young, I struggled with syncopation, the playing of notes that are off-beat. It was so frustrating that I called it “Stinkopation.” Hated the stuff. I struggled with that particular stinker …
That Crazy Bow – What’s the Big Deal?
They say the bow is 80-90% of your sound on violin-family instruments, that logic follows that it’s also going to be 80-90% of the work. If your bow hold is less than stellar, you will likely notice that making a …