Music Students

Research has shown that taking music lessons can help improve other areas of your life – academic, social, and physical skills. It helps develop discipline and patience and boosts your self-esteem. Whether you’re a child taking lessons privately or at school or an adult who has always wanted to learn to play an instrument, we have plenty of good advice for students of all ages.

• Practicing without any progress? Here's a potential fix
  As a string musician, the feeling of being stuck despite long practice sessions is all too familiar.
• Alto Clef Basics for Viola Players
  The alto clef, often referred to as the C clef, is pivotal for viola players as it positions middle C on the third line of the staff.
• Playing violin after high school
  Learning to play the violin in grade school often marks the beginning of a lifelong musical journey.
• Is summer break the perfect time to start music lessons?
  As the school year comes to a close, many families spend time considering how to structure their child’s time during the summer months.
• How dance classes can make you a better musician
  The relationship between dancing and playing an instrument is profound.
• Beginner Violin: How Much to Practice
  Learning to play the violin is an exciting adventure for students of all ages.
• Online vs. in-person music lessons
  In the evolving landscape of education, the debate between taking music lessons online versus in-person continues to garner attention.
• Do you really need a PinkyHold?
  If you’re learning to play the violin for the first time, you’ve probably had more aids and accessories suggested to you than you can count.
• What are Wolf Tones?
  If you’re a musician who plays the cello or double bass, you might have encountered a rather peculiar and unsettling phenomenon known as a "wolf tone."
• Why you probably don't have perfect pitch
  Having perfect pitch is a coveted status among singers and musicians alike.
• How students who play an instrument and a sport thrive
  As a student, it’s important to be well rounded and prepared for the next stage of life.
• Violin vs. Cello
  Choosing an instrument to learn is an exciting journey filled with possibilities.
• You shouldn't skip summer music lessons. Here's why…
  As the school year ends and summer begins, daily routines are bound to change.
• How you can transpose piano music for violin
  The piano is the most popular instrument in the world, especially if you count all digital pianos and keyboards.
• Renting your first instrument
  Learning an instrument is one of the most gratifying things you can do, particularly if you love music.
• How renting an instrument can build confidence in young players
  Research has found that music is great for improving cognitive function and building confidence in musicians of all ages.
• How to tell if your child needs a bigger violin
  When buying a violin for a child, there is a series of seven sizes to choose from based on age range and skill level. Most kids begin with a sixteenth or an eighth size violin.
• How long should you rent your violin for?
  These days, many music shops have instruments available for rental in addition to purchase. Johnson String Instrument is no exception.
• How to expand flexibility in your bow hand
  When it comes to playing string instruments, flexibility training is key.
• Ear training for string players
  For some string players, ear training is the least favorite part of their music education.
• How to set your child up for success on the violin
  Learning to play an instrument is a great way to provide enrichment to your child while helping them develop important skills.
• How much should you practice playing cello?
  If you’re new to practicing playing the cello, it may be difficult to determine how much rehearsal is enough.
• How is violin rosin made?
  Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned violinist, there are certain essential violin accessories that will improve your performance when playing the violin.
• The school orchestra instrument selection guide
  For many young musicians, choosing from a selection of school orchestra instruments is like a rite of passage.
• What is a clef?
  One of the things that can seem most daunting about PLAYING music is learning to READ music.
• Planning your career in music after college
  It’s that time of the year when college seniors are looking forward to being handed their diplomas and branching out into their chosen field.
• Buying vs. renting instruments for school orchestra
  If you have a child in primary school, you can typically expect them to begin learning to play music in an ensemble around the 4th, 5th, or 6th grade.
• How much do violin lessons cost?
  Many people are taking up new hobbies these days to entertain themselves during quarantine, and learning an instrument is a popular choice. Taking up violin is a good option for people who want to practice discipline, posture, motor skills, and focus.
• Cello size by age range
  If your child has expressed an interest in learning to play the cello, you’ve probably already been confronted with the issue of size. Even the smallest cellos are large instruments and they are not one size fits all.
• How to play the violin with small hands
  Small hands or shorter fingers don’t need to stop you from learning the violin. There are steps you can take to make playing violin with small hands a bit easier and help prevent overuse injuries.
• Improving finger dexterity for violin
  Any musician that plays a string instrument knows the importance of finger dexterity. When you start learning to play violin, you are using finger muscles that haven’t been developed yet.
• The violin callus guide: perfect calluses with less pain and without blisters
  An important part of learning to play the violin is building violin calluses on your fingers.
• What to Bring to Music Camp
  With summer on the horizon, many parents are looking into different camps and activities to occupy their children. There is a wide selection of summer camps for all kinds of kids, but music camp is a favorite of many. And for good reason, since playing a n instrument is a great way for children to learn discipline, develop their motor and cognitive skills, and start to think creatively.
• Your first violin class; what you need and what to expect
  How exciting! You (or someone in your family) has decided to take the plunge into playing the violin. You may wonder whether taking violin lessons is something that should be considered. The answer is a resounding “yes.”
• Should you buy or rent a viola?
  If you are interested in learning how to play a string instrument, you’ve probably considered the cost involved in picking up a musical instrument such as the viola.
• How much do violins cost for kids?
  Every parent wants to see their child nurtured into becoming a well-rounded individual, and no child’s education is complete without exposure to the arts.
• Can adults learn to play the violin?
  Many adults think that to learn to play the violin you have to be a young child.