Beginners...

Other Considerations

Accessories

When you acquire your instrument as an "outfit," these accessories are included:

• case
• bow
• rosin -- a substance applied to the bow hair so it will grip the strings

These accessories, however, are not included:

• shoulder rest (for violin/viola) -- this helps to reduce the amount of pressure you need to exert to hold the instrument
• strings -- will need to be replaced periodically
• music stand -- a must to maintain proper posture while practicing
• instrument humidifier -- if your home is dry, you'll need one
• metronome -- your teacher may request one. It makes a click sound at a steady pulse at selected "tempo settings."

For more information on these and other accessories, visit the Bowed Instrument Accessories page. When you're done browsing accessories, be sure to click your browser's 'back' button to return to this page.

Tuning

Bowed instrument strings can slip out of tune. You can expect to check and adjust the tuning before (and sometimes during) practice. Unless you have perfect pitch, you'll need to have a pitch pipe or electronic tuner. Your instructor will show you how to use these. You can also use a keyboard for a reference note.

Maintenance

After you acquire your instrument, you will also want to know how to care for it and protect it from damage. You'll find everything you need to know in the Instrument Care section for bowed instruments. When you're done browsing instrument care, be sure to click your browser's 'back' button to return to this page.

Your Expectations

When learning to play your instrument, it takes a bit of time to master the techniques, so prepare for quite a few squeaks at first. With the piano, you strike a key and produce a note. With a bowed instrument, you must learn how to position your fingers and draw the bow before you can create a note correctly. So, although it may be frustrating, keep practicing and persevere and soon you'll be playing beautiful music!