Many parents want to encourage their children to learn to play a musical instrument, to encourage their musical development.
The first instrument is often a music keyboard. These are reasonably priced and stimulate an interest in music even in very young children. Ask your school music teacher for advice, because some of the very low cost keyboards are very limited. The higher priced keyboards play notes softer if they are hit less hard, more like a piano.
Your child may enjoy the sound of a particluar instrument. This can be a major motivational factor, so it is a good idea to go with the child's ideas, at least initially. Many children change the instrument they play in the first few years of their music education.
Many children may find it easier to play woodwind instruments like a clarinet than brass instruments like trumpets and trombones. Woodwind instruments do not require the lip vibrations that brass players need.
Most children's choice of instrument is a matter of chance. It depends on what instrument is favored by visiting music tutors.
There are more professional violinists than players of any other instrument. This is one reason parents often encourage their children to take up the violin. Buying a violin is a tricky business.
You can buy a violin for less than 70 dollars on the Internet. Should you buy it? Never.
A violin is not just a pair of shoes. Shoes are designed to be used and thrown away when they wears out. A well-made violin will last for hundreds of years. The 70 dollar violin above should just be thrown away. Buying one for your child is a waste of 70 dollars.
If your child is taking up the violin, or any instrument, it might be an idea to rent rather than buy, until you see how your child takes to the instrument. That is the point at which you should consider buying.
Buy the best instrument you can afford. Price is definitely linked with tonal quality. Listen to a range of violins, pianos or trumpets being played by the musician in the retailers. You will notice differences between the different instruments. Always buy a musical instrument you and your child like the sound from. Musical training will attune the child's ear to any deficiency in the instrument you buy, and this will detract from the pleasure he or she gains from playing it.
Showing posts with label violin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label violin. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Haunting Of The Violin
The sad and haunting melodies of a violinist are never forgotten. They remain with you always coming back again and again. The true charm of music lies in how it can affect you and your emotions. I believe that violin has the power of captivation. It is not only sad but uplifting also. The true instrument of love and emotion, the violin truly is a wonder among all the musical instruments.
A good violin is made up of a spruce top, maple ribs and back. Two end blocks, bridge, sound post and 4 strings are other key requirements for a violin. Various other fittings can be attached and an optional chin rest.
What distinguishes a violin body is its "hourglass" shape and the arching of its top and back. The hourglass shape comprises an upper bout, a lower bout, and two concave C-bouts at the "waist," providing clearance for the bow.
The voice of the violin is solely dependent on its wood and varnish. It is also some what controlled by the graduation and thickness that of the body. As the varnish and wood improve by age, old violins are continuously sort after in the market today.
Earlier, violin strings were made of sheep gut stretched. Today however, they are made up of solid steel or stranded steel. When and how to change strings is often advised by the teacher depending how hard you play. Violinists often carry spare supply of strings in case any one string does not play true.
Violin comes in different sizes. Smaller ones are usually preferred for children learning the instrument at the beginning.
Teachers determine what size is best. A true large size violin can be of 14 inches long.
How are they tuned? Tuning is a very important issue for many instruments. The violin can be tuned by turning the pegs or fine tuners on the tail piece. These fine tuners allow for slight adjustments to the tensions of the strings.
So, how is it played? Tuning and everything is fine but how do you produce that melody? A violin is usually played using a bow consisting of a stick with a ribbon of horsehair strung between the tip and frog (or nut, or heel) at opposite ends. A typical violin bow may be 29 inches. Usually, the hair of a violin bow is got from the tail of a mail horse. Though some cheaper violins have this made up of plastics or synthetics. There is also a leather grip at one end with winding to protect the stick and provide thumb rest for the player. The winding can be made up of whale bone but today it is manufactured of fiber glass.
The violin is an instrument you can never forget. The tunes are replayed in your memory even after the instrument has stopped. It is as if the instrument can talk and has spoken words of wisdom. If there is any instrument that can reproduce the words of the heart, it is the violin.
A good violin is made up of a spruce top, maple ribs and back. Two end blocks, bridge, sound post and 4 strings are other key requirements for a violin. Various other fittings can be attached and an optional chin rest.
What distinguishes a violin body is its "hourglass" shape and the arching of its top and back. The hourglass shape comprises an upper bout, a lower bout, and two concave C-bouts at the "waist," providing clearance for the bow.
The voice of the violin is solely dependent on its wood and varnish. It is also some what controlled by the graduation and thickness that of the body. As the varnish and wood improve by age, old violins are continuously sort after in the market today.
Earlier, violin strings were made of sheep gut stretched. Today however, they are made up of solid steel or stranded steel. When and how to change strings is often advised by the teacher depending how hard you play. Violinists often carry spare supply of strings in case any one string does not play true.
Violin comes in different sizes. Smaller ones are usually preferred for children learning the instrument at the beginning.
Teachers determine what size is best. A true large size violin can be of 14 inches long.
How are they tuned? Tuning is a very important issue for many instruments. The violin can be tuned by turning the pegs or fine tuners on the tail piece. These fine tuners allow for slight adjustments to the tensions of the strings.
So, how is it played? Tuning and everything is fine but how do you produce that melody? A violin is usually played using a bow consisting of a stick with a ribbon of horsehair strung between the tip and frog (or nut, or heel) at opposite ends. A typical violin bow may be 29 inches. Usually, the hair of a violin bow is got from the tail of a mail horse. Though some cheaper violins have this made up of plastics or synthetics. There is also a leather grip at one end with winding to protect the stick and provide thumb rest for the player. The winding can be made up of whale bone but today it is manufactured of fiber glass.
The violin is an instrument you can never forget. The tunes are replayed in your memory even after the instrument has stopped. It is as if the instrument can talk and has spoken words of wisdom. If there is any instrument that can reproduce the words of the heart, it is the violin.
Friday, July 31, 2009
How To Read Music On The Piano
Although this isn't related to how to play violin, I thought I would talk a bit about reading music on the piano. It is very important to take piano lessons in order to play the piano. You have to learn to read piano music if you plan to be a serious piano player.
If you try to look into history, you will notice that most of the great piano players learned to play the instrument on their own. The reason may be because they were born with the talents of a piano player. But did you know that not all pianists have born talents and rather they acquired their playing skills by learning from a good teacher?
Learning to play piano takes a long time. It could take years for you to master advanced piano lessons. But as a beginner, you have to take lessons one day at a time. Don’t rush yourself because if you do, you will not learn. Haste makes waste, you should always remember that. Even gifted piano students do not learn easily.
So if you just want to learn piano for fun, find another musical instrument. To learn to play piano, you must be serious about it. If you plan to get a professional piano teacher, make sure that you receive proper lessons. This way, you can learn the right playing techniques. So when looking for a teacher, you have to get only the best.
Your piano teacher is not present at all times so you need to practice. If you want additional guidance, you can get other methods of learning to play the piano like computer software, DVDs, CDs, or even piano lesson books.
Before anything else, you have to determine the lessons that the teacher focuses on. You have to learn to read piano music. Reading piano music takes place all throughout the lessons. Piano teachers usually start by teaching you the easiest musical pieces. The level of difficulty is increased gradually and he or she will give you advanced assignments.
When you’re given an assignment, you have to do it by heart. Learn all the piano music that you need to learn. Reading music takes some time so you must concentrate on the lessons and avoid distractions. You will not be able to learn sight reading if you can’t master reading piano music.
Sight reading is carried out by giving piano students with a piece that they don’t really know and they have to play it. If you can’t read piano music, then you will not be able to play the new piece. You really need to study and practice hard. Learning to play piano should be taken seriously but you should always have fun when playing so that you will be motivated to the end.
Many people give up their piano lessons because they think they’ve spent a great deal of their time in practicing and yet they are not learning fast. In today’s modern times, people are used to instant and quick learning. But when it comes to piano lessons, you can’t rush things. You can’t make it quick.
To learn to read piano music, it requires dedication, time, and effort. You must also have the right learning attitude so that you can work well with your teacher or even when working alone. Constant practice is needed so that you will not forget your previous lessons.
Good luck in learning piano music and don’t give up easily! And remember, you don't have to stop with learning how to play the piano, you can always learn how to play violin as well. :)
If you try to look into history, you will notice that most of the great piano players learned to play the instrument on their own. The reason may be because they were born with the talents of a piano player. But did you know that not all pianists have born talents and rather they acquired their playing skills by learning from a good teacher?
Learning to play piano takes a long time. It could take years for you to master advanced piano lessons. But as a beginner, you have to take lessons one day at a time. Don’t rush yourself because if you do, you will not learn. Haste makes waste, you should always remember that. Even gifted piano students do not learn easily.
So if you just want to learn piano for fun, find another musical instrument. To learn to play piano, you must be serious about it. If you plan to get a professional piano teacher, make sure that you receive proper lessons. This way, you can learn the right playing techniques. So when looking for a teacher, you have to get only the best.
Your piano teacher is not present at all times so you need to practice. If you want additional guidance, you can get other methods of learning to play the piano like computer software, DVDs, CDs, or even piano lesson books.
Before anything else, you have to determine the lessons that the teacher focuses on. You have to learn to read piano music. Reading piano music takes place all throughout the lessons. Piano teachers usually start by teaching you the easiest musical pieces. The level of difficulty is increased gradually and he or she will give you advanced assignments.
When you’re given an assignment, you have to do it by heart. Learn all the piano music that you need to learn. Reading music takes some time so you must concentrate on the lessons and avoid distractions. You will not be able to learn sight reading if you can’t master reading piano music.
Sight reading is carried out by giving piano students with a piece that they don’t really know and they have to play it. If you can’t read piano music, then you will not be able to play the new piece. You really need to study and practice hard. Learning to play piano should be taken seriously but you should always have fun when playing so that you will be motivated to the end.
Many people give up their piano lessons because they think they’ve spent a great deal of their time in practicing and yet they are not learning fast. In today’s modern times, people are used to instant and quick learning. But when it comes to piano lessons, you can’t rush things. You can’t make it quick.
To learn to read piano music, it requires dedication, time, and effort. You must also have the right learning attitude so that you can work well with your teacher or even when working alone. Constant practice is needed so that you will not forget your previous lessons.
Good luck in learning piano music and don’t give up easily! And remember, you don't have to stop with learning how to play the piano, you can always learn how to play violin as well. :)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Using Music To Meditate
Clearing your mind through meditation is one of the most peaceful ways you can find to just relieve all the tension you have in your body. Once your mind and body are relaxed you can start to just enjoy some time to yourself. I know that most of us listen to the radio at some point of the day. You may enjoy music ranging from country,to easy listening,to disco,soft rock,classic country,or even blue grass.
Whatever kind of music you enjoy you can find this as a very relaxing way of meditation. For a lot of you that are in good physical shape and like to exercise in a gym at home or even by jogging you want to be able to free your mind of a lot of things that have bothered you through the day.If you are out and about doing your exercises take a Walkman with you and just put it on a station that you really like and let the music just relax all of your tension.
If you are at home exercising or even cooking or cleaning if you have a CD player get one of your favorite Cd's and play it while you are doing the things you need to do.You can also just go get some blank tapes and record your favorite music off the radio for your meditation. One of the things I find relaxing is listening to music while I am working on the computer.
I have found free sites such as lime wire and frost wire and have taken the time to download my all time favorite songs. I transfer the songs I enjoy into my windows media player and play my music everyday when I am on the computer. I just quietly sing along to my favorite music relax and just meditate about my day. I actually use my keyboard a lot and have to do a lot of typing about different subjects. I have found that if I am not completely relaxed and my mind clear I will make many mistakes in my work which I can't afford to do.
I know I need to be completely relaxed so I pull up my windows media player and play my most favorite songs that will help me to use mediation to get my work done. I have also bought some blank Cd's and burned my favorite songs and then listen to that CD while working on the computer or even going somewhere in my car. After having a busy long hard day and I know I still have to drive home and start my routine of cooking,helping kids with homework,giving the kids a bath and getting them to bed.
As soon as I get in my car and I think about all the things I will have to do I put my CD in the player clear my mind and relax and meditate. After I get all my work done I put the kids to bed and the house is very quiet I will draw me a hot bubble bath and listen to my music and just clear my mind and gather my thoughts so I then can start the next day with a clear head.
So whether you enjoy meditating by exercising,shopping,or listening to your favorite music you will find once you have released all of your tension you can then start to feel good about yourself and when you feel good about yourself you can then feel good about your life. Who knows, it also may help you with learning how to play violin!
Whatever kind of music you enjoy you can find this as a very relaxing way of meditation. For a lot of you that are in good physical shape and like to exercise in a gym at home or even by jogging you want to be able to free your mind of a lot of things that have bothered you through the day.If you are out and about doing your exercises take a Walkman with you and just put it on a station that you really like and let the music just relax all of your tension.
If you are at home exercising or even cooking or cleaning if you have a CD player get one of your favorite Cd's and play it while you are doing the things you need to do.You can also just go get some blank tapes and record your favorite music off the radio for your meditation. One of the things I find relaxing is listening to music while I am working on the computer.
I have found free sites such as lime wire and frost wire and have taken the time to download my all time favorite songs. I transfer the songs I enjoy into my windows media player and play my music everyday when I am on the computer. I just quietly sing along to my favorite music relax and just meditate about my day. I actually use my keyboard a lot and have to do a lot of typing about different subjects. I have found that if I am not completely relaxed and my mind clear I will make many mistakes in my work which I can't afford to do.
I know I need to be completely relaxed so I pull up my windows media player and play my most favorite songs that will help me to use mediation to get my work done. I have also bought some blank Cd's and burned my favorite songs and then listen to that CD while working on the computer or even going somewhere in my car. After having a busy long hard day and I know I still have to drive home and start my routine of cooking,helping kids with homework,giving the kids a bath and getting them to bed.
As soon as I get in my car and I think about all the things I will have to do I put my CD in the player clear my mind and relax and meditate. After I get all my work done I put the kids to bed and the house is very quiet I will draw me a hot bubble bath and listen to my music and just clear my mind and gather my thoughts so I then can start the next day with a clear head.
So whether you enjoy meditating by exercising,shopping,or listening to your favorite music you will find once you have released all of your tension you can then start to feel good about yourself and when you feel good about yourself you can then feel good about your life. Who knows, it also may help you with learning how to play violin!
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