students' area

NEW Group Students! Welcome to classes: please click here to learn how to best use this page of the web site.

Private Lessons / Make Up Lessons: If you would like to take a private lesson and get some personal help one-to-one, or to make up a missed lesson, just send an e-mail to schedule, more info and rates are on this page.

How to prepare to play a solo, duet, or other small ensemble work in a recital—MUST READ!

Connect Online! To share comments or ask questions, please post to our StringSchool Facebook page. Also you can find more connections on LinkedIn and Twitter.

See wonderful student musicians—there's something amazing (and usually absolutely free) going on every day at Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes. Hey, if you live here, why not?

First Position Fingering Flash Cards, soon everyone will want them so don't be the last to catch the next new craze.... Click here!

Crack the code and decipher complex rhythms using this handy Subdivision Chart.

getting started
Learn the parts of your instrument and bow, how to care for your instrument, all about shoulder pads and how to set up your home studio. GO

holding the instrument
Learn rest position and play positions, what to do with your feet (that gotta dance), basic finger positions with a side note about fatigue. GO

holding the bow
What's an "Up Bow", for that matter what's a "Down Bow" - gosh, why do I have to hold the bow like this, it's freaky. Is there anything I can do to make this feel better? GO

tuning your violin / viola
Tuning takes some practice, but if you wish to give it a try, here are one minute recordings of the violin / viola string tones: A, D, E, G, and the low C for viola. Be sure to twist while firmly pressing the pegs into the instrument to make them hold fast. Click here for more info on tuning your instrument.

note reading
Learn to figure out what all those lines and spaces are in your music and what they mean. Begin reading your own music! Learn about basic rhythm and other common symbols in your music. GO

oh no!
My string broke! I think my instrument is really out of tune! My violin was crushed by a falling anvil.... What to do when something goes wrong with your instrument. GO

policies: snow, absence, etc.
It's snowing, are we having class? What do I do if I need to drop out of class? What if I am retaking a class I've had before? GO

class & recital schedule
Info about class and private lesson meeting dates, theory classes, locations and upcoming recitals. GO

make a tuition payment
You can make secure tuition payments here via credit cards and eChecks. Tuition schedule and absence / withdrawal policy.... GO

your songs: fingerings & tips
Please click on the song(s) you're working on for helpful info, fingerings and recordings. Each song has a brief lead-in before the song starts and to help you get prepared to play:

Book I

• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
• Lightly Row
• Song of the Wind
• Go Tell Aunt Rhody
• O Come Little Children
• May Song
• Long, Long Ago
• Frere Jacques
• Allegro
• Perpetual Motion
• Allegretto
• Andantino
• Etude
• Minuet I
• Minuet II
• Minuet III
• Happy Farmer
• Gavotte-Gossec.mp3 Sound File

Book II

• Musette.mp3 Sound File

Feel free to preview upcoming songs, but do concentrate on the ones we're working on right now. More songs as they're ready....