Lessons are one hour long. There is much involved in just the preparation of the instrument prior to playing. Tightening the bow, applying rosin to the bow hair, installing the shoulder rest (a device that aids in holding the violin properly), tuning the violin, etc. All these activities make a difference in the final product of excellent playing. I give my students complete details and assistance in this preparation. Then, of course, is the actual study/mastery of technique and interpretation; all facets of violin playing must be refined. Violin playing is a fine art; it requires a proper amount of lesson time. Most students take one lesson per week. I have discovered, however, that beginners profit greatly from two lessons per week. It's akin to learning to ride a bicycle; the more chances at success that are provided, the sooner one will succeed. Yes. I can drive to the following areas: Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach. There is an added fee for lessons at the location of your choice. Performance opportunities are available from a variety of sources:

• Youth Symphonies - A couple of local youth symphonies include the Florida Youth Orchestra, South Florida Youth Symphony, and the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County.
• All-State Contest - The contest is held once a year in a chosen city where all the Jr. High and High Schools get together and are rated. Solos are also rated. All State Orchestra has auditions every year.
• County Fairs - Youth fairs will sometimes award trophies or medals for outstanding performances.
• Community Orchestras - Adults or advanced teens can participate in local community orchestras. Community orchestras are also a great source of connections for chamber music (small groups such as quartets and trios).
• Charity - One can volunteer for local hospitals and/or retirement homes. Music has an almost magical healing effect on people.

I recommend the above activities only after the student has studied the positions on the violin (1 to 3 years into private lessons).

• Home - A performance after dinner is always welcome. When a child performs a couple of short pieces and is greeted with great enthusiasm and encouragement, it can work wonders not only for their playing but for their self esteem.

Most students can learn a simple song by rote in about thirty minutes. They can generally learn to play a song from reading music by the third lesson. However, to reach one's potential as a violinist takes approximately ten years, depending on the talent and practice habits of the individual. Violin playing is a big world. There is much information to learn and much to master physically as there are many things going on beneath the surface. We hear beautiful music but the violinist is actually executing many actions and thought processes at once. For example, when reading and playing a piece of music, the violinist is carrying out the following mental and physical processes:

• Playing the correct notes which includes correct string and finger.
• Playing the notes in tune. This includes position (how high up on the instrument to place the left hand) and interval (whether fingers are placed touching or apart).
• Playing the notes for the correct duration (rhythm).
• Playing the apropriate style; each composer is interpreted differently depending on what period of music history he lived. (I teach all styles/interpretation of music.)
• Playing the correct volume of the music (dynamics).
• Moving the bow in the correct direction of the bow.
• Channeling the correct amount of force to the bow hair.
• Using precise bow speed.
• Playing the note in context of the melody (the level of importance of that note in the musical phrase).
• Interacting with other musician.
• Being sensitive to the conductor (his/her role is to unify the orchestra in a common direction).

In reality, there is much more going on than is stated above. The good news is that many of these processes become implicit allowing multitasking to improve. Implicit actions (habits) take time to solidify; sometimes years. Lamentably, however, incorrect technique (bad habits) can also become implicit. It is important that one learn an excellent system/school of violin playing from the start. Children:

• I recommend that students begin at age six. I do have students younger than six and am always willing to try a few lessons to see how a child progresses. If a child is talented and/or mature, it is often possible to begin early. I use a different teaching style for the very young that incorporates a greater variety of activities.

Adults:

• It is never too late to begin, or continue what was started in the past. There is much cognitive information and discipline that is required to play the violin and adults usually have the advantage in these areas.

Required Equipment

• Violin: must be of correct size (full-size, 7/8, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 etc. exist) for children 10 and under. Check with me or the seller/renter. Must have four fine-tuners (small devices that allow one to tune the strings with precision). Costs $150 and up.
• Bow: fiberglass is okay but the hair must be horsehair. Costs $30 and up but is often included with the violin.
• Shoulder rest: a device that allows one to hold the violin properly and with correct posture. I recommend the KUN shoulder rest. It must be the correct size for the instrument. Example: a 1/2 size violin requires a KUN shoulder rest that will fit a 1/2 size violin. Costs between $30 and $45.
• Case: not important as long as the violin is safe. Costs $50 and up but is often included with the violin
• Rosin: a tree sap product that makes bow hair sticky and thus helps the string vibrate. Cost, $8-$10.
• Cleaning cloth: any soft cloth will do; for cleaning rosin dust off of the instrument. Microfiber works best.

Optional Equipment

• Electronic Tuner: for tuning the strings; vital time saver for beginners. Must be a chromatic tuner . A chromatic tuner is able to tune all the notes, not just the instrument's four strings. Costs between $20 and $240. I recommend the Korg-25.
• Electronic metronome: A device that produces a 'beat' that the musician can follow. Excellent in the development of accurate rhythm. Costs $40 and up. I recommend the Korg KDM-1
• Stand: for holding up music. Costs $15 and up.
• Extra set of strings: In case one breaks, there will be an instant replacement. For students, I recommend Thomastik Dominant brand. If the violin is smaller than full-size, make sure strings are the correct size for the violin. Costs $30 and up.

There are two options: renting or buying an instrument.
Renting:

• Call local instrument dealers or music stores and ask about rental. If you want to know if violin playing is for you, this is a good way to go. I highly recommend that you inform the renter that you must have the instrument approved by your violin teacher prior to renting. This will insure that you get a violin that is in good condition.

Buying:

• Violins range in price and quality beginning at $150. The advantage is that one can usually get a better instrument than by renting. For beginners, I recommend purchasing a "kit." A kit usually includes a violin, case, bow and sometimes rosin and tuning pipes. They begin at about $200 and go up to $3000. When purchasing, I highly recommend that you inform the seller that you must have the violin approved by your teacher prior to your purchase. This will insure that you get a violin in good condition.

Acquiring supplies:

• There are online/catalogue stores such as Shar (1-800-248-7427) or Southwest Strings (1-800-528-3430).

Although a popular rote approach, the Suzuki Method requires enhancement in order for the violin student to achieve full potential. I have helped many ex-Suzuki students and have developed strategies that fill in the gaps that these students posess. Reading music is a must.

Violin playing is a process like, for example, riding a bicycle. This process has many components; riding a bicycle requires balance, steering, pedalling, etc. All must be done in perfect synchronization to achieve success. Pretty amazing! If one of these components is left out, the rider will fall.

The same applies to violin. If one leaves out any of the required components, such as reading the music, success is elusive.

Suzuki students may sometimes play a song sooner but in the long term tend to fall behind. Students who are taught to read at the onset acquire the correct mental processes and independence that allow them to progress quickly.

Parents often want quick results but should understand the importance of reading the music that is played. Reading music frees the student to play any music that they desire. It creates a sense of independence that inspires confidence and success. I teach only private lessons. In small group or classroom-style lessons, students do not receive the attention they require.

All students are different. Private lessons allow pupils to receive the personal attention that encourages their strengths and eliminates their weaknesses. Violin playing is a fine art that requires individualized instruction.



For more information about violin lessons, please click on the links on the left side of this page.

Call to schedule Boca Raton violin lessons, or lessons in the surrounding area:
(561) 213-9101