Posts in Buying Guides
The Anatomy of the Violin

The violin, while seemingly simple, is a complex and beautifully crafted instrument. Understanding the anatomy of a violin can deepen your appreciation for this intricate instrument and enhance your playing experience. The violin body is divided into three sections: the Upper Bout, C-Bout and Lower Bout

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Finding Your Perfect Violin

New vs. Used Violin: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between a new violin and a used violin can be tough! This guide explores the sound, playability, price, and investment value of each to help you decide. Discover whether a modern instrument's pristine condition or an older violin's mature tone and potential appreciation best suits your needs and budget. Read more to find your perfect violin!

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What makes a rental program valuable and effective?

You’ve decided to play the violin or your child has announced his or her intention to play the cello and you are faced with the perplexing situation of trying to find one to rent. A quick search of the internet and you’ve discovered that there are plenty of shops around that offer rental programs for these instruments. Your challenge is to figure out which program makes the most sense for you! Which program will optimize your experience!

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How To Measure Your Child For A Violin Or Viola

HOW TO SIZE YOUR CHILD FOR AN INSTRUMENT

Violins come in LOTS of sizes for children... our staff is always available to help determine which size instrument makes sense for your child. Schools and Suzuki programs, however, frequently size differently. Below are two general options. It is important to check in with your teacher to find out their specific preferences. The shop will defer to the teacher’s preferences.

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Beginner Guide For Harps

Getting Started With Harps!

Whether you are new to music or have a lifetime of playing behind you, the Celtic Harp is one of the most immediately rewarding instruments you can play. We’re often asked: “is the Harp difficult to learn?” and the answer is no.

How To Choose a Harp? Getting Started…

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Violin Vs Viola Case

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Violin or Viola Case

Looking for a new case for your instrument can be overwhelming. There are so many styles, brands, accessories, protection levels, and color choices that you might not know what you’re looking for. Gone are the days of the standard thermoplastic cases. Today’s string instrument cases are stylish, protective, and more affordable than ever!

When looking for a new case, we recommend planning ahead and deciding exactly what you need based on the following 5 factors.

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Investment In Violins

Do Violins Make Good Investments?

The short answer is yes, absolutely. According the British newspaper, the Telegraph, when it comes to a safe haven for your money, little can beat a rare old violin. While gold, property, and other investment commodities often show short term rewards, the ups and downs of a mercurial marketplace can offset gains with sudden and often surprising losses. Witness the property crash in 2007 which precipitously shattered the notion that property, as investments, were “safe as houses.”

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Baroque Bows

A Brief History of Baroque Bows

Although the modern conception of the violin has been pretty firmly in place for over a century, there was a significant era of innovation in violin and bow making in the early 19th century. During this period, music was changing dramatically, moving out of the early Baroque era into newer forms of music which put new demands on the instruments and the bows. A need for more power and response, eliciting fuller voices became essential, and violins were evolving to meet this need. Bows were now being charged with more legato, long-note playing, and the music was written to accommodate the larger opera houses being built throughout Europe.

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Beginner Guide To Electric Instruments

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Going Electric

Electric instruments are everywhere in today’s music scene. You don’t have to look far to see an Indie band with an electric cellist, a punk rock band with an electric violinist, or even hip-hop using electric violins (looking at you, Black Violin!) Electric string instruments are being used in concerts by the Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West, Katy Perry and more surprising artists. Going electric is a portal for a string musician into the entire world of genres outside of classical and traditional music. Electric instruments give string players flexibility to change not only their volume but their entire sound by adding filters, effects, and more to their set up.

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