Good News!


Things 4 Strings LLC welcomes into our dealer network
SynWin Music of Singapore: http://www.synwin.com.sg/Scripts/default.asp

Look for our patented Bow Hold Buddies, Hold Fish, and CelloPhant accessories to be in stock locally soon!

http://www.things4strings.com/img/Violin-Viola-Bow-Hold-Accessory.jpg\">http://www.things4strings.com/img/How-to-Hold-Violin-Viola-Bow.jpg\">

Best Wishes,

Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com

Yes, pbhyxforever, violin is indeed a wonderful instrument, no matter the starting age.


And yes, KiasuGrandMaster II, the new revolutionary and patent-pending Things 4 Strings accessories are designed for ages 3 and up. Thousands of teachers worldwide are now enjoying using them to get their beginning students off to a great start on tone. You may read a variety of feedbacks, including comments from private studio and classroom teachers, method book authors/editors, national and international pedagogy leaders, and young and adult students at:
http://www.things4strings.com/product-feedback

Best Wishes,
Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com
http://www.things4strings.com/img/products/Violin-Bow-Hold-Accessory.jpg\">

@Blissedsher -- Thank you for question: I teach in the USA.


Best Wishes,

Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com
http://www.things4strings.com/img/products/Violin-Bow-Hold-Accessory.jpg\">

I can speak to this because I am part of a many generation line of musicians [mother, grandfather, great-grandmother, and now daughter are/were also all professional musicians], and I am

a Suzuki teacher with of over 30 years experience.

The advantage to starting a child as young as three is to install music activity [listening, playing/practicing, attending concerts] as an important part of the daily family environment. Children of musicians are already in such an environment, so the early formal start of instrumental education is less perhaps less important in the long run than for a child from a non-musical family. I have seen time and time again the wonderful results of starting the children so young. Yes, often it seems that a child will NEVER pull all the skills together into coherent violin playing. But, they always do -- some while they are still 3 and others maybe not until 5. And these young players are then amazing learners, well set-up for success, and already into a practice routine for as long as they can remember. Even if the child becomes hyper involved with other activities later on, say in high school, the gift of music has been given and will always be there.

Best Wishes,

Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com
http://www.things4strings.com/img/products/Violin-Bow-Hold-Accessory.jpg\">

[quote]
Is it advisable to practise with a rubber mute? As we will be in a cold, winter country, are there any specific things we need to do to protect the violin?[/quote]It is good to have a break or variance in the practice routine once in a while.

However, if you do decide to take the violins along, the colder climate will also be much drier -- which means that you should take care to keep the humidity up in the case with either a Dampit, case humifier, or a baggy with a few holes filled with orange peels. When pegs dry out they shrink, making keeping the violin in tune a challenge; when the wood of the body dries out you risk cracking, varnish crazing or seams opening.

A practice mute is always a good courtesy in a hotel situation.

Have a great trip,



[/quote]

At present, Things 4 Strings[tm] accessories are only available to musicians in Singapore through http://www.Things4Strings.com

The violin is the logically instrument to be featured here because:


It is the instrument of the teacher's expertise.

Violins are readily available in small sizes for young children.

There are effective pedagogy systems for teaching violin to young children.

There are numerous studies showing stringed instrument study is beneficial to children in terms of brain development and academic achievement.

An orchestra needs more violins than any other instrument.

Best Wishes,

Ruth Brons
Bow Hold Buddies instant bow hold bow accessory
http://www.things4strings.com
http://www.postimage.org/

I would like to address the Suzuki vs. Traditional violin question, as a traditionally trained musician who has taught Suzuki violin for the last 30 years.


When you are looking for a teacher for you child you would like to find one that:
-Can play their instrument on a professional level, so they can inspire your child
-Will provide private lessons, so the program can move at your child’s pace
-Will provide group lessons and/or ensemble experience, because peer motivation is a powerful thing

Teachers who have pursued Suzuki teacher training, although not required to call oneself a Suzuki teacher, will be more likely to be able handle very young students. There are many interpretations and implementations of the Suzuki method, but the most important element is the belief that all children can learn to play at a high level of ability, and that it is good for them to develop this ability.
More information is available at


Best Wishes,

Ruth Brons
Things 4 Strings[tm] Instant Bow Hold bow accessories