What do I need to start learning the violin?
The child and parent have a desire to learn, patience, a violin and some equipment. Before you book in for your free trial lesson decide if you have enough time to set aside each day with your child for practice. Please purchase the Suzuki book 1 CD and begin listening to it on a daily basis before you attend your free trial lesson.

What is a good age to start?
Playing the violin is a technical skill which is best started early in life. We believe when the child enters kindergarten is usually the best time to begin violin lessons. However if the child is younger, particularly mature for his/her age and has strong parental support they may begin earlier.

The benefits of starting younger include the child acquiring perfect pitch, a stronger and faster memory, and they may be able to join orchestras and participate in other musical activities at a younger age. A high standard of violin playing at a younger age will provide your child with more opportunities.

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Where can I purchase a violin and accessories? Click here

How much does a violin cost?
Student violins are usually packaged together with a bow, rosin and a case. A good quality beginner instrument that has been ‘set up’ can cost $400-$600. Good brands include Gliga, Ragetti, Suzuki, St. Antonio and Kreisler.

Are there different size violins available for children?
Violins generally come in the following sizes: 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4 (full size). Children in their early teens are usually big enough to play a full size violin. Good advice is crucial for fitting the right size for the child, and they should be present when purchasing the instrument.

Can I buy a cheap violin off the internet?
There are different sized violins for children. The violin needs to be in the child’s hands for a correct fitting, which is impossible if buying online. Cheap violins are exactly that. Children deserve a good reliable instrument so they have the best chance at making a beautiful sound.

A decent quality violin will have good strings (Pirastro ‘Piranito’, Thomastik ‘Dominant’ brands), a functioning peg box (the strings should not touch one another), pegs that fit, the bridge cut and set up with even spacing for the strings, a smooth fingerboard, fine tuners (especially important for beginners), the sound post and nut adjusted. A good bow will have quality horse hair, with proper weight and strength so that it doesn’t warp.

What else do I need besides a violin?
Equally important as the violin is to have the appropriate resources which include:

A shoulder rest (Kun or Wolf brands are recommended)
AMEB Violin Technical workbook 1
Suzuki Violin volume 1 book
Suzuki Violin volume 1 CD
A violin tuner or pitch pipe to help tune the violin (ask us for more information)
A music stand
A spare set of strings for those unexpected breakages

Can I rent a violin?
Yes, we occasionally have violins for rent. Alternatively there are several music shops that rent good quality violins.

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Do I need to supervise my child’s practice?
It is essential that children are supervised and guided during daily practice time. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all lessons and must be actively involved in the child’s musical development. In effect the parent is the teacher at home between lessons.

It is especially beneficial for young students if their parent also learns the violin.

Click here to download the home practice chart

How long should my child practice?
Depending on the student’s age, beginners usually practice 15-30 minutes a day. As the student advances practice time gradually increases. As the saying goes ‘You get out of it what you put into it’.

How long until I can play my first song on the violin?
With daily practice, listening to the accompanying CD, and parental supervision most beginners can play ‘Twinkles’ within a few weeks.

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How long are lessons?
Lessons for beginners usually start as weekly 30 minute lessons. Younger beginners may benefit from having two 20 minute lessons per week. As the child progresses lessons increase to 45 and 60 minutes once or twice a week.

Are lessons individual or in groups?
All children receive one or two lessons a week during the school term. Lessons are individual because of the personal attention required to learn/teach the instrument.

What about group lessons?
Group lessons are held throughout the year. The Suzuki repertoire enables all children to play together, providing important ensemble experience and strengthening of concepts learnt in individual lessons. Group lessons combined with performances and observing other children’s lessons provide wonderful motivation.

How much do lessons cost?
Please click here

Where are you located?
Our studio is located in Castle Hill close to the Hills Shire Council and Castle Towers shopping centre. Please contact us for our address.

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Children have many opportunities to perform for friends and family each year. Opportunities range from impromptu performances at the studios, through to AMEB exams, Eisteddfods and our annual student concert, etc. Being a member of a youth orchestra will also increase and vary their performance experience.

Opportunities include:

• The Annual Student Concert
• mini studio recitals
• AMEB Examinations
• Suzuki Graduation Concert
• SBS Television and Youth Orchestra
• Sydney Youth Orchestras - school orchestras
• Performing Arts Unit Orchestra
• Christmas carols
• church music
• Eisteddfods
• Exam Student Recitals and many more!

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