Vena Johnson 
Violin students searching for the best violin book will see that there are many options available. It can be difficult to know which one is best and is often dependent on the violin teacher’s preferences. It also depends on the approach the teacher will have: if the student is in … Read More
Many of us have heard stories of violins worth millions of dollars – and maybe we have even heard the name “Strad” thrown around casually – but what is a “Strad?” Why are they so expensive? What are the most expensive violins in the world? And what makes a violin … Read More
Many people who are familiar with the guitar often compare it with the violin and wonder, “Are there tabs for violin? What chords can the violin play? How many positions are there on a violin?” While the guitar is often a very familiar and relatable instrument to many people, the … Read More
An often daunting task for any beginning and intermediate student is tuning the violin in preparation for practice. It can be all too easy to rely on your teacher (or your child’s teacher) as a crutch for tuning the violin and then cringe in agony as you try to practice … Read More
Buying a violin bow can be as dizzying as buying a violin itself. There are so many options and so many price ranges, it’s hard to know where to begin and what’s reasonable. Luckily, the process doesn’t have to be too daunting. We’ve compiled these Tips for Choosing and Buying … Read More
When learning the violin, you might feel like you spend all of your time learning technique and “academic” music – scales, etudes, and formal pieces. While these are absolutely essential building blocks to your foundation as a violinist, it is important to also throw in a few fun extras that … Read More
Could you imagine a baseball player who only practiced in a batting cage but never played a game? What about a musician who practices diligently but rarely performs and plays with others? Does this sound familiar to you? It’s so easy for us to get caught up in learning and … Read More
Tone is basically the quality of sound that you produce. “Bad tone” is all too familiar – the scratchy, dull violin sound that is, as some would say, not unlike a cat dying. Good tone is the sweet, resonant sound that is pleasing and inviting to the listener. Luckily, there … Read More
Nothing could be more frustrating than being told by teachers and peers that you “need to improve intonation,” without really being taught how to do this. Hearing proper intonation is something that is developed over many years of practice, but only if you actually integrate intonation awareness into your daily … Read More
Sure, it’s easy to be motivated to practice in the beginning stages of learning a new instrument or piece of music. The freshness of the new frontier has enough intrigue to keep you engaged – for a while. Then, motivation tends to dry up because it can be harder than … Read More