What age should a child be before he or she begins violin lessons?
It depends on the child, but students 7-8 years or older are generally mature enough to learn to play the violin. Students younger than that age have often not fully developed the dexterity, motor skills, attention span or self-awareness necessary to benefit from lessons.

 

How long does it take to become good at playing the violin?

Progress depends on the amount of time that the student regularly practices at home. Beginners usually start with 10-15 minutes of practice per day, three to four days per week. These students will be able to play short songs soon after starting and may finish Book 1 within 1 year. Eventually, as students improve, practice should increase to 30-60 minutes per day for rapid progress. The use of a timer is a very effective practice tool.

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Am I too old to learn music?
Not at all. Many studies have shown that learning to play an instrument benefits people of every age. For instance, one study showed that in people over the age of 65, after 4 or 5 months of playing a musical instrument for an hour a week, there were strong changes in the parts of the brain that control hearing, memory and hand movement. The effects are long-lasting too: for adults aged 65-80, the more years a person had spent playing an instrument, the better they performed on tests of word recall, nonverbal memory, and cognitive flexibility. Other results show that playing an instrument can help your IQ increase by seven points.

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Older students have other advantages over younger students -  adults tend to know how they learn best, have more discipline in practicing, and a longer attention span.

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Where can I rent or buy a violin?

While many inexpensive violins can be found online, they are almost never a good investment, and in many cases are a waste of money. It is generally best to rent a violin for a year or two before you decide to buy, and then to invest in a better quality instrument. Playing a better quality instrument is worth the investment!

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Violins also come in many sizes for students. Music stores in Pasadena can help you select the correct size violin.  Two places that some of my students have recommended are:

• Bertrand's Old Town Music: www.oldtownmusic.com

• Callier-Scollard Violin Shop: www.violin-viola-cello-bass.com

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What if I don’t like classical music?
You don’t have to like or play classical music! I will help you to learn to play the music that you want to learn, at your own pace. There are plenty of books and resources available to help you achieve your goals and play the music that you want to play.

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How do I really excel at music?
It helps to make playing the violin a daily habit, and to establish a good environment for playing – good lighting, easy access to your instrument, and quiet. Play the music that you like to play and that challenges you. Most of all - have fun!

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Studio Policies

• 24 hours notice is required for any cancellations.

• Lessons are paid monthly, due at the first lesson of each month. I accept cash, check, or payment via paypal or venmo.