Advice: the wise ones don’t need it and fools won’t take it…so we’ll just call it “helpful hints”!

Strings of Silk Music is in the business of making music and memories as well as teaching young students.  With recent graduates of high school and college violinists and violists, the question is asked:  do you have any advice?  Why yes!

Here is a recent example –

You are embarking on a new adventurous journey and if there were just a few words of advice that I could give you it would be these – maybe you know them already? All I know is that I wished I had learned them sooner.

Every piece of music you play (either assigned or with an orchestra), take the time to google the background of it – Wikipedia is enough for now and then listen to at least two different versions of it.

If you ever start to hurt from playing the violin/viola – fingertips or in the arms or neck – ask yourself when was the last time you changed your strings or rehaired your bow.  If you want to try out a new shoulder rest, shar.com is happy to help.

Thank your parents by playing for them – especially if they ask when they have company over!  They are so proud of you and all they want is for you be happy.  For example:  You’ll be home for the winter break so make the time to play for them after dinner. It doesn’t have to be an hour or complicated – just fifteen minutes – and say “thanks for believing in me, paying for all my lessons and especially for putting up with me when I was a beginner!”