Where do I get a violin?

For many younger students, renting is the best method for getting a violin. As students grow, they will need to size up their instruments, and most violin rental shops don’t charge for this. If you purchase an instrument, you’re on the hook for buying each new size! I would be happy to recommend rental shops in the Boston and Vancouver areas.

If you do decide to purchase, I strongly recommend trying out the instrument beforehand or letting me test it for you to make sure it’s in good shape and of good quality. Do not buy brightly-colored instruments! They look fun but often do not sound great.

I have to cancel a lesson - do I get a refund?

I do not give refunds unless your child decides to quit lessons entirely. I have a 24-hour cancellation policy, except for in certain emergencies. With sufficient notice, we can reschedule a lesson, but I only allow one reschedule per month. If it isn’t possible to reschedule, I will forward the lesson to the following month.

What materials do I need?

You will need a shoulder rest, a music stand, and, depending on the child, one or two music books. I will give you specific recommendations on all these products before your child begins lessons.

How will I know what books to buy?

Before beginning lessons with your student, I will send a list of required and recommended materials, with links to purchase online. Please have all required materials no later than two weeks after they are requested.

How often should I practice?

In a perfect world, every day! I recommend no fewer than 3 days a week, for at least 10 minutes. For more advanced students, I recommend 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times a week. The more a student practices, regardless of their skill, the faster they will improve. Remember, practice makes permanent!

My violin is out of tune! How do I fix it?

Depending on the weather, violins can sometimes go a little (or a lot) out of tune. For small changes, you can turn the fine tuners, located in the tailpiece, to adjust the pitch up or down. For more out of tune instruments, you can use the pegs, but this is to be done ONLY with my approval and assistance, whether in-person or over video.

For a tuning primer, I recommend either this handout or this video.

Where is a good place to store my violin?

Always keep your violin or viola in its case when you are finished playing! Most cases are very sturdy, and they are your first line of defense against all types of damage. Make sure the case is either on its side or bottom, with all zippers and flaps zipped and fastened. Try to avoid leaving your violin near heating vents, as the dry air can cause cracks and open seams. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT IN THE CAR! Even if you will only be going into the grocery store for 5 minutes, that can seriously damage the instrument, especially during winter and summer.

In short - treat your instrument like it’s a person. If you’re too hot or too cold, so is your instrument!

Happy practicing!