August 17, 2017
Rosin is a solid form of resin that’s obtained from pines and other conifers. Produced by heating fresh liquid resin to vaporize its volatile components, it’s semi-transparent in nature and varies in color from yellow to black. Used by cellists, violinists, and other string musicians, rosin helps create friction between the bow hair and strings. […]
April 16, 2017
Feature photo via Kelsey, CC If you’ve ever attended the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, or have plans to in the future, you’re sure to enjoy a fun weekend that’s packed with guitar-heavy rock bands and electronic music. But, what if you want a little saxophone with your rock? Or some violin with your indie? […]
March 3, 2017
When translated directly, the term “Bellafina” means “beautiful fine”– a fitting name considering their line of high-quality violins, cellos, violas, and double basses are some of the most beautiful instruments in the world. Most Bellafina instruments are sized at a reduced scale, making them the perfect choice for younger players or adults with a small […]
March 1, 2017
Rattling or buzzing from your stringed instrument can be alarming, especially for new players or those who have never heard the sounds before. Fortunately, it rarely indicates the need for expensive repairs. In fact, did you know many instances of rattling and buzzing can be fixed in a matter of minutes, and in some cases […]
February 23, 2017
As a violin student advances from a beginner to an intermediate level, they may require a higher quality bow. The superior craftsmanship of a decent bow will provide them with the tools they need to improve their playing technique and tone. However, the cost of more professional bows can seem unusually expensive, especially to first-time […]
February 16, 2017
Teaching is an art form that positively touches the lives of our students. I’ve seen many changes and improvements of this art in my 50+ years of public school and studio teaching. One big change is technology. Digital media is changing the way students learn. Music educators today have access to a wide variety of […]
February 2, 2017
If you use a gig bag to carry your instrument, you’ve probably been told “you should probably invest in a hard case” more than a few times. And you should. When it comes to hardshell cases and gig bags, each has their own unique pros and cons, and each should be used in different situations. […]
January 20, 2017
Although the subject is often avoided, most musicians have dealt with a playing-related injury at some point in their career. For some, the injury is temporary and simply needs to be worked through, while for others it can mean the end of their career. Like it or not, prevention and treatment of playing-related injuries is […]
January 16, 2017
If you’ve been playing the violin for a few years and are beginning to experiment with your playing, you may have come across violin pickups in music stores and while browsing online. For most violinists, the thought of installing and using a pickup is confusing, scary, and just plain weird. The good news is that […]
January 4, 2017
In late 2016, Music & Arts invited the string group Simply Three to perform at several of our stores. Instead of interviewing only one member of the group, we thought we’d switch it up and interview each member individually. Whether you play the violin, the cello, the string bass, or just enjoy music, you’re sure to […]
