Getting Started
The Basics
Where to rent or purchase a violin/viola:
How to tune your instrument
Other helpful links
- Suzuki Association of the Americas has lots of helpful information for parents and students.
- Recordings of the Suzuki books for amazon music or apple music. Violinists, please get the Hilary Hahn and Augustin Hadelich recordings!
- Suzuki book 1 for violin or viola
- An instrument hanger like this one
- A portable music stand that's sturdy enough for everyday practice (children starting Suzuki Method won't need a music stand right away)
Where to rent or purchase a violin/viola:
How to tune your instrument
Other helpful links
Instrument Maintenance
About your instrument
- Sunset Hills Studio for getting your bow rehaired (about once every year)
- Buy new strings (about once every year) at Quinn Violins (contact me for discount code) or Sharmusic
About your instrument
- Learn the parts of the violin/viola
- Learn about common violin/viola accessories
Books
- Nurtured by Love - Dr. Suzuki
- Helping Parents Practice - Edmund Sprunger
- How to Get Your Child to Practice...Without Resorting to Violence! - Cynthia Richards
- Winning Ways - compilation of American Suzuki Journal articles from over 20 years
Where to learn more
- Strings Magazine has news from the string world, informative articles, and more.
- This website has great information about the history of the violin, violin repertoire, and violin playing.
- From the Top site and podcast has information on everything from practicing to music and the brain.
Tips for Success
At lessons:
- Before the lesson begins, share pertinent information with me about your child and the week’s practicing.
- During the lesson, be an active observer but keep interruptions to a minimum.
- Take detailed notes about the specific instructions being given to your child. After the lesson, ask me about anything that was unclear to you, and ensure that you have the week’s practice instructions written down (or recorded) in enough detail that you will remember once you get home!
- Enjoy watching your child learn!
- Play the Suzuki recordings every day.
- Make practice part of your family's daily routine!
- Practice with your child every day. When it’s not possible to practice, do some extra listening.
- If you feel I assigned too much work for one week, please let me know. Conversely, if you feel like you don't have enough to do, let me know that!
Advanced students performing at the Tanger Center before a musical!
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Students performing on tour in Czechia!
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