Wouldn’t it be great if you could have the best of both worlds: the tonal volume and complexity of a full-scale cello and the comfort and ease-of-play of a smaller cello?
We have a perfect solution!
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When seven-year-old Camille expressed interest in learning a string instrument, her mother Ginger faced a decision familiar to many parents: how do you support a child's musical dreams— how to choose and invest in an instrument they might outgrow in two years?
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Decoding the Price Jumps from $1K to $24K
A $1K to $4K violin offers big changes. A $20K to $24K jump? It's more subtle. Know what you're paying for.
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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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The Value of Quality: Why Rental Matters
Parents often express concern about the cost of learning the violin. Lessons, instruments, orchestral fees, and audition fees can quickly add up. But is it truly expensive?
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Discover the convenience and precision of clip-on tuners at Vermont Violins, where we've honed our craft for generations. From enhancing your practice sessions with accurate tuning to aiding in developing your musical ear, our range of quality clip-on tuners ensures your instrument sings its truest notes in any setting.
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Bridges in violin making are not just pieces of wood; they are meticulously carved to exact dimensions, with varying levels of quality affecting their resonance and tone transmission. Each bridge is a testament to the artistry and precision of luthiers, reflecting hours of craftsmanship to ensure every violin sings in its finest voice.
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You’ve heard great things about them….but you can’t figure out which one is for you!
We can help!
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One of the hallmarks of the Vermont Violins Rental Program, is the equity accrual terms. With our rentals, you are not only renting a fine instrument, but actually building an equity pool for yourself with which to purchase one when you are ready to move past rental into ownership.
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Vermont Violins is tremendously proud to rent instruments that are beautiful both visually and tonally. Having an instrument that looks good and sounds good will help motivate us to play and will foster better care of our instruments.
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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 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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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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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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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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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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Yamaha Electric Violin Demonstration
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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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Why Step-Up?
Determining the right time to Step-up your instrument or your student’s can seem overwhelming, especially given the variety available to choose from. Though many violins and violas are similar in appearance, not all are created equal, and playing the right instrument can make a world of difference for developing talent. With the guidance of both your instructor and Vermont Violins’ friendly staff, we can help ensure stepping-up to a new instrument will be a fun and exciting stage in your musical growth.
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Pernambuco vs. Carbon Fiber Bows
What is the relationship between the bow and our instruments? Why do different bows make the instrument sound different? How do I choose the best bow in my price range? Should I try a carbon fiber bow as well as a Pernambuco bow?
Massimo Lucchi described the relationship between the bow and the violin this way: the bow produces the vibrations, the violin acts as an amplifier and transmits the vibrations. Coming from a bow making family, Massimo emphasizes the importance of the bow. Interestingly, professional players often converge with Massimo’s perspective over time, choosing an instrument and then a bow to develop the tone, dynamic range, and depth of the instrument.
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