Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if we break a _______________ (string, shoulder rest, bow, tuning peg, bridge, etc….)?
A: If you are renting from music a store, the instrument is insured. First, contact Mrs. Corbin. Both Shar and Meyer Music have provided the school with extra strings for their rental instruments. If a string is broken, just bring the instrument to Mrs. Corbin to replace and re-tune the strings. If the bridge or a tuning peg comes off the instrument, Mrs. Corbin may be able to repair it as well. But, if any part of the instrument (or bow or shoulder rest, or case, etc.) actually breaks, simply contact your dealer and bring the instrument in to school. The company rep will pick up the broken instrument and provide you with a replacement instrument for free as soon as possible.
Q: How do I tune this thing at home?
A: Short answer: don’t. Unless you have significant experience with string instruments, it is very likely that you could break a string trying to tune them. Even guitar pegs are very different than violin, viola, and cello tuning pegs. Please bring the instrument to Mrs. Corbin for tuning. I’ll be at school every morning!
But, if you are determined to tune at home, and you have the skill. Here’s a little refresher on tuning:
The strings of the violin are E (skinniest string), A, D, and G (Fattest String). The strings of the viola and cello are A, D, G, and C. Lastly the strings of the bass are G, D, A, and E. You can use a tuner or piano to find these notes. Also there are programs online that will give you some notes. http://www.metronomeonline.com/ is a site that will give you an A. There are two sources to tune the instrument. The fine tuners will do minor adjustments. The pegs are used for larger adjustments. For both the fine tuners and the pegs you will turn it like a screw (when you tighten the pitch goes up, when you loosen the pitch goes down). Be careful when using the pegs because if you get it too tight the string will break. Remember, I am always willing to tune your child’s instrument and music stores are also usually willing to do it. Remember also that the best way to keep in tune is to keep it in an area where the temperature is steady (not too hot or too cold).
Q: Where can my child see good examples of playing?
A: I will encourage and inform students throughout the year about concerts in the area. There are many great local opportunities to hear great music, and I would encourage you to attend. Visit the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra and Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra websites for performance schedules and ticket info. Both organizations often have special student discounts available. High school concerts can also be inspiring to young musicians. North Muskegon High School, Grand Haven High School, Mona Shores High School all have string programs. I would highly recommend attending concerts given by the West Michigan Youth Symphony and Holland Youth Symphony. Also, I would recommend listening to some of the artists I have on the listening guide, by getting their cd’s or by finding these artists online.
Q: How can I encourage my student to practice more?
A: Check out our Practice Help page for lots of ideas. If you are still struggling.... well, you are normal. But it is a struggle that is worthy of your time and love and patience. And if you have any questions or concerns...please contact Mrs. Corbin. Often, one or two private lessons... or even a simple instrument fix can make a world of difference.
Q: I found this really great deal on a violin on the internet....should I get it?
or....When is a Good Deal Really Not A Good Deal?
A. There are many violin “dealers”, typically on the internet, who are promoting student or entry-level violins for amazing low prices ($50-$100). This sounds good, especially to the parent who is trying to provide their child with an instrument and keeping the cost as low as possible.
BUT, upon further inspection this is not a very good idea. These instruments are generally very poorly made. Although these instruments may look nice, the real problem is in the fittings (pegs, tailpieces, strings, bows, etc.) that are used. This is a very large problem because in order for the instrument to function properly, these fittings are crucial. If the instrument does not function properly, the student becomes discouraged, the teacher becomes aggravated and the success of the learning is jeopardized.
And if anything breaks, there is no insurance or rental company to come to the rescue. Rental Instruments are fully insured and can be quickly replaced or fixed (at no cost to the renter) if there is an emergency (hopefully there won't be any). And when your child outgrows their smaller-sized instrument, the rental company trades up for the correct size.
Well-intentioned parents bring their 'internet find' to a music store/violin shop and ask to have them “fixed” so that they are playable. If adjustments and repairs are possible, they are often very costly. The student might then have a playable instrument, but still one of very low quality. A much better alternative would be to either rent a good quality instrument or to look for a good used quality instrument for purchase. Most dealers carry a selection of used quality violin outfits in the price range of $300-$500. This may seem high to you, but when you consider the alternative, it may be a much better deal indeed.
Listed below are three very high reputable dealers who deal on the internet and they stand behind everything in their catalogs.
Meyer Music 231-865-7000 1-800-692-3210
Shar Music 1-866-742-7261
SOUTHWEST STRINGS 1-800-528-3430
(Both Meyer Music and Shar Music will be present at our New Student Rental Night!)
Another Local Strings Specialty Location: The Guarneri House (Grand Rapids)
Q: What happens if we break a _______________ (string, shoulder rest, bow, tuning peg, bridge, etc….)?
A: If you are renting from music a store, the instrument is insured. First, contact Mrs. Corbin. Both Shar and Meyer Music have provided the school with extra strings for their rental instruments. If a string is broken, just bring the instrument to Mrs. Corbin to replace and re-tune the strings. If the bridge or a tuning peg comes off the instrument, Mrs. Corbin may be able to repair it as well. But, if any part of the instrument (or bow or shoulder rest, or case, etc.) actually breaks, simply contact your dealer and bring the instrument in to school. The company rep will pick up the broken instrument and provide you with a replacement instrument for free as soon as possible.
Q: How do I tune this thing at home?
A: Short answer: don’t. Unless you have significant experience with string instruments, it is very likely that you could break a string trying to tune them. Even guitar pegs are very different than violin, viola, and cello tuning pegs. Please bring the instrument to Mrs. Corbin for tuning. I’ll be at school every morning!
But, if you are determined to tune at home, and you have the skill. Here’s a little refresher on tuning:
The strings of the violin are E (skinniest string), A, D, and G (Fattest String). The strings of the viola and cello are A, D, G, and C. Lastly the strings of the bass are G, D, A, and E. You can use a tuner or piano to find these notes. Also there are programs online that will give you some notes. http://www.metronomeonline.com/ is a site that will give you an A. There are two sources to tune the instrument. The fine tuners will do minor adjustments. The pegs are used for larger adjustments. For both the fine tuners and the pegs you will turn it like a screw (when you tighten the pitch goes up, when you loosen the pitch goes down). Be careful when using the pegs because if you get it too tight the string will break. Remember, I am always willing to tune your child’s instrument and music stores are also usually willing to do it. Remember also that the best way to keep in tune is to keep it in an area where the temperature is steady (not too hot or too cold).
Q: Where can my child see good examples of playing?
A: I will encourage and inform students throughout the year about concerts in the area. There are many great local opportunities to hear great music, and I would encourage you to attend. Visit the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra and Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra websites for performance schedules and ticket info. Both organizations often have special student discounts available. High school concerts can also be inspiring to young musicians. North Muskegon High School, Grand Haven High School, Mona Shores High School all have string programs. I would highly recommend attending concerts given by the West Michigan Youth Symphony and Holland Youth Symphony. Also, I would recommend listening to some of the artists I have on the listening guide, by getting their cd’s or by finding these artists online.
Q: How can I encourage my student to practice more?
A: Check out our Practice Help page for lots of ideas. If you are still struggling.... well, you are normal. But it is a struggle that is worthy of your time and love and patience. And if you have any questions or concerns...please contact Mrs. Corbin. Often, one or two private lessons... or even a simple instrument fix can make a world of difference.
Q: I found this really great deal on a violin on the internet....should I get it?
or....When is a Good Deal Really Not A Good Deal?
A. There are many violin “dealers”, typically on the internet, who are promoting student or entry-level violins for amazing low prices ($50-$100). This sounds good, especially to the parent who is trying to provide their child with an instrument and keeping the cost as low as possible.
BUT, upon further inspection this is not a very good idea. These instruments are generally very poorly made. Although these instruments may look nice, the real problem is in the fittings (pegs, tailpieces, strings, bows, etc.) that are used. This is a very large problem because in order for the instrument to function properly, these fittings are crucial. If the instrument does not function properly, the student becomes discouraged, the teacher becomes aggravated and the success of the learning is jeopardized.
And if anything breaks, there is no insurance or rental company to come to the rescue. Rental Instruments are fully insured and can be quickly replaced or fixed (at no cost to the renter) if there is an emergency (hopefully there won't be any). And when your child outgrows their smaller-sized instrument, the rental company trades up for the correct size.
Well-intentioned parents bring their 'internet find' to a music store/violin shop and ask to have them “fixed” so that they are playable. If adjustments and repairs are possible, they are often very costly. The student might then have a playable instrument, but still one of very low quality. A much better alternative would be to either rent a good quality instrument or to look for a good used quality instrument for purchase. Most dealers carry a selection of used quality violin outfits in the price range of $300-$500. This may seem high to you, but when you consider the alternative, it may be a much better deal indeed.
Listed below are three very high reputable dealers who deal on the internet and they stand behind everything in their catalogs.
Meyer Music 231-865-7000 1-800-692-3210
Shar Music 1-866-742-7261
SOUTHWEST STRINGS 1-800-528-3430
(Both Meyer Music and Shar Music will be present at our New Student Rental Night!)
Another Local Strings Specialty Location: The Guarneri House (Grand Rapids)