An Introduction

April 26, 2021

Although it’s fairly common to have some band experience, less people have exposure to the world of orchestra playing. The difference is especially marked in our more rural state of South Dakota. This is mainly due to the difference in how many established band and orchestra programs there are in the schools.

While South Dakota does have a healthy and thriving orchestra community in most of the larger areas, small towns and more rural areas are often without a string teacher even for private lessons. String specialists in who are located in more rural places have a fairly large area of the state represented in their studios, with families driving a significant distance. To make it more complicated, luthiers and dedicated string shops are also uncommon except in the largest towns. All together, it can be difficult to find information, help, and quality equipment unless you already know where to look.

This situation often leaves parents at a loss when a child expresses an interest in violin or another string instrument. Even when a teacher is found and lessons begun, parents are sometimes unsure what to expect and how to evaluate their child’s progress.

The idea for this blog came to me over time as I encountered many of the same concerns from various parents and students. Common questions included things like finding an instrument, knowing how their child is progressing, and questions about how things should sound or look during a practice session or performance. It seemed reasonable to address common concerns in a format that is easily accessible to those in my studio and anyone else who may find it helpful.

My purpose in these posts will be to introduce parents and students to the string world and give some insights on how to navigate some of the common issues. Along the way, I’ll also give my perspective on why I teach the way I do, from choosing methods to the rationale behind various studio requirements. It is my hope that this blog will make the world of string playing a little less daunting for those without a musical or orchestral background.

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4.26.21