Violin & Viola
Fun & Challenging
Upper String Instruments
Students who choose violin or viola will have the opportunity to join many kinds of small and large ensembles. There is a large repertoire of solo material for these instruments, but students may also elect to play in orchestras in their schools, in the local youth orchestras, and in chamber music ensembles.
Lessons focus on the technique of the instrument, note-reading, and ear-training to develop an accurate sense of pitch so that the student learns to precisely place their finger on the neck of the instrument so that the pitch will not be sharp (sounding too high) or flat (sounding too low).
String instruments are available in many sizes and should be chosen carefully to suit the current size of the student and parents will learn that as their child grows physically, they will need to update the size of their string instrument.
Learning to play either instrument well can be a slow, methodical learning process that requires a lot of thinking and repeated work. Focusing intently on this process can help a student appreciate other slow things in life that take longer to develop and accomplish.
VIOLIN
Violin is the most popular string instrument and considered by many to be one of the greatest due to its versatility, emotional range, and portability. Its sound is often compared to the human voice, and it can be used in a vast array of musical genres, from classical to rock and folk. The violin's high pitch and ability to create a full, resonant timbre make it a powerful and expressive instrument for both solo and orchestral performance.
VIOLA
Viola is larger than the violin and its music is written in the alto clef, so students who first study piano or another instrument whose music is written in treble or bass clef will need to learn the alto clef. Not as many students choose viola so there may be less competition for placement in school ensembles and orchestra. Some players prefer the viola’s richer, warmer, and mellower tone and a role that often bridges the gap between violins and cellos in an ensemble. The viola can play both important melodic passages and strong harmonic lines, and the instrument has a unique sound that some find more expressive and less piercing than the violin's.
Contact us to schedule a lesson of your choice today.