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Violin Lessons

WHAT AGE SHOULD STUDENTS BEGIN TAKING LESSONS?
We welcome students of any age and expertise level! For children, we recommend beginning around age 4-5. You can improve children’s musical noesis by exposing them to quality classical music at very young ages, e.g. Baby Einstein. 

WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED IN ORDER TO BEGIN?
Each student will need his/her own instrument, bow, shoulder rest, and rosin, along with the two required music books.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE/RENT A VIOLIN?
We recommend purchasing online at Sharmusic.com or renting from Amro Music, located in Memphis, TN. Williams Fine Violins in Nashville also offers a wide range of instruments from beginner to professional quality.

WHAT SIZE VIOLIN DO I NEED? 
Choosing the correct size is very important. Please contact us to request a size chart.

SHOULD I BUY A VIOLIN ON AMAZON/EBAY/FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE/ETC.?
Usually “No”. Violins sold on these sites are often very cheaply made and constructed or set up incorrectly. These sources often offer cheap violins in bright colors that appeal to children, but are of very low quality and tone. You will likely end up spending the same or more on repairs for these cheap instruments than you would renting/purchasing a quality instrument. Cheap violins are also harder to play and keep in tune compared to a quality instrument.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC CURRICULUM OR METHOD THAT YOU USE? 
Yes, all students learn necessary core techniques through the Suzuki method. We also provide supplementary music of various genres to ensure our students receive a well-rounded learning experience. 

WILL THE STUDENTS HAVE A RECITAL?
Yes, there are two recitals per year - Christmas and Spring. Recitals are important for the learning and growth of each student and are, therefore, mandatory events. Certificates will be awarded at the spring recital. 

ARE LESSONS PRIVATE OR IN A GROUP SETTING? 
Lessons are private and individual. However, we also highly encourage students to participate in group lessons which are offered once a month. 

DO STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO READ MUSIC?
Yes, each student will receive instruction and assignments during lesson that will establish a strong foundation in music theory and develop note-reading abilities.

HOW OFTEN DO STRINGS ON MY VIOLIN NEED TO BE REPLACED?
This varies depending on how frequently your instrument is played, but in general, every year. We also recommend that you keep an extra set of strings in your violin case in the event that a string breaks.

DO I PLAY VIOLIN DIFFERENTLY IF I'M LEFT-HANDED?
No, violinists maintain the same posture, placement of the instrument, and bow hold, regardless of whether they are right or left-handed

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY VIOLIN?
This depends greatly on the level of skill that you wish to achieve and the amount of time and diligence that is put forth into practice. With regular practice, beginners are usually able to learn very easy songs within a couple months. While students can enjoy playing easy to early intermediate/intermediate music within a year or two, it takes much longer and requires diligent, consistent practice to achieve an advanced level of playing and musicianship. The reward of playing  beautiful music and being able to share it with others is well worth the time and effort invested in learning how to play. 


DO YOU HAVE A LIST OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MUSIC DURING THE CEREMONY?
Yes! We have a list of music that can be used as a general idea or guide. however, if you have any special requests, feel free to let us know! 

WHAT IF I AM UNSURE AS TO WHAT MUSIC IS APPROPRIATE FOR EACH PART OF THE CEREMONY?
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. We are happy to guide you through the process of selecting music and can even put together a complete list of music for the ceremony if you wish.

DO I NEED TO SELECT MUSIC FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THE PRELUDE?
No, we have a large, preselected repertoire which includes a variety of music featuring different genres that will put your guests at ease and bring smiles to their faces. However, if you would like to select specific music for the prelude, this can be arranged for an additional fee. 

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING TWO VIOLINISTS VERSUS A SOLO VIOLIN (1)?
It creates a richer, fuller sound and you get the beautiful effect of harmonized strings as each musician plays a unique, complimenting part.

IS THE SELECTED SONG THE CORRECT LENGTH FOR THE PROCESSIONAL/RECESSIONAL?
This is the beauty of having live musicians. We can adjust the length of the song accordingly so it will end at just the right time.

DOES THE SONG I HAVE CHOSEN SOUND GOOD ON THE VIOLIN? 
We do our very best to accommodate special requests and make your musical dreams a reality. We can play almost any style of music and adapt a song to be played on the violin, however, there are a few styles of music that are very difficult to replicate with stringed instruments. Rap, hip-hop, and funk are several examples of these genres.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED FOR YOU DURING REHEARSAL/WEDDING?
We will provide everything necessary that is music-related. The only thing we ask that you provide are chairs set up in the location where you would like us to play.

DO YOU REQUIRE A SOUND SYSTEM?
Unless the venue is quite sizable, such as a ballroom, or you are expecting a large number of guests in an outdoor venue, the sound of violins usually carries well without extra amplification.

ARE YOU WILLING TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHER MUSICIANS/VOCALISTS?
Yes, we would be glad to collaborate with other musicians and vocalists. This generally incurs an additional fee to cover extra rehearsal time and any repertoire changes or sheet music purchases necessary to accommodate them. 

DO YOU OFFER ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT COMBINATIONS?
Upon request, we can make arrangements for the following instrumentalists: violin and cello duet, string trio consisting of two violinists and one cellist, or a trio with two violinists and a pianist. For select songs only, a guitar may be paired with a violin.

WHY CHOOSE NORTH MISSISSIPPI STRINGS?
We truly love our jobs and have over 20 years of musical experience that allows us to provide you with the very best quality sound of strings. NMS brides are able to work directly with us to select music for their ceremony and we gladly assist if there are any questions along the way. Unlike many other groups, NMS musicians will attend rehearsal on Friday as we feel it is important to ensure everything runs smoothly on your wedding day. We also take great care in selecting the most beautiful arrangements of your chosen music, rather than just quickly throwing something together. Our goal is for NMS brides to experience the elegance of strings playing their favorite pieces and to be able to enjoy their special day without worry or stress over the flow and sound of the music. 

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Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9AM-5PM
123.456.7890 | hi@hendersonphoto.com

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