What you need before class begins:
I strongly recommend renting a properly sized violin or viola, bow and case. Please talk to me about owning vs. renting. Here are a few local shops:
Lashof Violins
Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg, MD
Gailes Violin Shop
College Park, MD
College Park, MD
Perrin & Associates Fine Violins
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, MD
Potter's Violins
Bethesda, MD
Bethesda, MD
Prodigy Instruments
Bowie, MD
Bowie, MD
Supplies to be kept in the case, lesson bag or at home
rosin (preferably Bernadel or Hill brands)
cleaning cloth (available at most music stores)
quality shoulder rest (Kun or Everest are good options; for young beginners the grey shaped sponge at Perrin's Violins is best)
Suzuki Violin or Viola School Book 1 cd, streaming, or download (start listening right away!)
nail clippers in the case (keep trimmed nails for optimum posture, technique and tone!)
notebook for taking notes, and a lesson bag to carry all supplies that don't fit in the case
a calendar and stickers for tracking practice days (keep at home)
set of 10–20 small objects for repetitive practice (what I call a “counting kit," keep at home)
cleaning cloth (available at most music stores)
quality shoulder rest (Kun or Everest are good options; for young beginners the grey shaped sponge at Perrin's Violins is best)
Suzuki Violin or Viola School Book 1 cd, streaming, or download (start listening right away!)
nail clippers in the case (keep trimmed nails for optimum posture, technique and tone!)
notebook for taking notes, and a lesson bag to carry all supplies that don't fit in the case
a calendar and stickers for tracking practice days (keep at home)
set of 10–20 small objects for repetitive practice (what I call a “counting kit," keep at home)
Soon you will also need
Suzuki Violin or Viola School book 1 (violin/viola part, revised edition, also available on iBooks)
I can Read Music for Violin or Viola, book 1 by Joanne Martin
All for Strings Music Theory Workbook for violin or viola, book 1—please be sure to get the theory workbook, and not the comprehensive book
music stand
tuning fork or tuner
metronome
I can Read Music for Violin or Viola, book 1 by Joanne Martin
All for Strings Music Theory Workbook for violin or viola, book 1—please be sure to get the theory workbook, and not the comprehensive book
music stand
tuning fork or tuner
metronome
Online Shops
These shops are always well stocked and helpful; please support them!