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Last revision: May 7, 2017
Violin/Viola FAQ Learning & Techniques Violin/Viola Care & Specs Auditions & Gigs Paperback • Kindle Learning & Techniques How to locate teachers and violin shops How to teach yourself the violin Am I too old to learn the violin, which has always been my dream? Since I am left-handed, can I learn to play and have a violin fitted for playing in the opposite way? Can you give me some advice about how to play the "wiggly thing," i.e., vibrato? What is the distinction between "weight" and "pressure" with respect to playing double (and triple) stops? What is best approach to producing smooth bow strokes? What technical routine do you use to stay in shape? What is the usual progression of violin études? What is the best way to achieve good intonation in string playing? At what stage in students' development do they begin vibrato and shifting? Should a teacher who is primarily a violinist teach viola? How can I get my child to practice? Why we play. I have been playing for some time but my technique is not very good. What is your recommendation? If there is an harmonic alteration, that alteration is good for the whole measure: is the alteration also good in all octaves, or just for the note that's altered? How can I produce a blues scale on the violin/viola? What is the best method to produce a straight bow? RE: Private Teaching Studios How can I develop a private teaching studio? What areas might be covered in a private teacher's studio policy? What are some of the techniques teachers use to approach beginning students? I'm a music teacher with an online Studio Policy (as you recommended) but I receive a lot of odd emails that I suspect are phoney. What should I do? What are some of the advantages of studying music? How much music history and music theory do you cover, or attempt to cover, in the private lessons? What is the purpose of practicing scales? What is a cost effective and reliable way of recording students? What are some of the questions perspective students ask? What are some of the legal issues associated with a private teaching studio? RE: Fiddle and Alternative Styles Teaching Fiddle How many different fiddle styles are there? New FAQ Questions How long will it take me to get really good at the violin? How can I develop good sight reading skills? Do you use fingerboard tapes with your students, and if so, what kind of tape? What is the best way to develop effective practice habits? What is the best way to develop a reliable spiccato? How do I develop good sound production on the violin? What are "harmonics?" What sort of certification is required to give music lessons? Issues in teaching beginning students. New! Violin/Viola Care & Specs Issues regarding purchase of starter instruments. Requests to appraise an instrument Are the violin and the fiddle the same instrument? What's the difference between the violin and the viola? How can I determine if this violin or viola is the right size? What is the best way to protect the violin from extremes of temperature and humidity? How do I replace a string? (free video and links) Rosin Strings | String Sets Set-up Tuning Instructions My pegs are not working right; how do I fix them? My chinrest came off; how can I fix it? My tailpiece came off; how can I fix it? Cleaning/Polishing and Removing Dust Bunnies What on earth is a "Violin Hickey"? Why is my Viola making a buzzing sound? Why do some violins, particularly smaller, "fractional" instruments, have four fine tuners, when the adult and higher priced instruments only have a fine tuner on the E string? How do you change a violin or viola string, or restring a violin or viola? What's In Your Violin Case? What does a "set up" consist of? ACCESSORIES Amazon.com Widgets Accessories Informational links about accessories: Bridge Chinrests Chromatic Tuner Dampit Stravari String Cleaner Fine Tuners Fingerboard Tapes Humidifier Humistat Hygrometer Music Dictionaries Music Stands Music Tote Bags Mutes Peg dope Peg drops Pegs Polish Rosin Shoulder Rests Soundpost Setter Strings | String Sets Tailpieces Vio-meter Auditions & Gigs What is the best way to avoid being nervous at a jury or an audition? How do I break into the music business (i.e., get gigs?) How can I recover if I lose an audition? ICSOM Statistics What is involved in developing a press kit? Issues in Choice of Undergraduate Programs As a general rule, what are the audition requirements for undergraduate programs in violin and viola? [Supplementary question on Juilliard] Sample Undergraduate Audition - Violin/Viola M.M. and DMA Audition Requirements - Violin/Viola New FAQ Questions What is freelancing? How much training would it take to get into a professional orchestra? Is there any hope for me to have a career in music?
