These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Cue Julie Andrews!

Whether you’re shopping for a first-time hobbyist, a dedicated student, or a seasoned musician, I've curated a few of my violin gift recommendations to help you find something that might strike the perfect note.

As a violinist and particularly as a teacher, I'm frequently asked questions like "are these good strings?" or "is this a good shoulder rest?". These inquiries come from my students, parents, and even fellow musicians who are seeking guidance on equipment that can significantly impact their playing experience. And, in all realness, I usually have a few different responses, each tailored to the individual's unique situation and needs. 🙃

A lot of the answers to those questions are based on many other factors, and often require further questioning to determine the right path for that particular individual.

((Stay with me, the list is coming!))

The first thing I typically ask is, "What is your budget?" This is a crucial consideration, as the market is flooded with an array of options that cater to various price ranges. For instance, while some premium strings may offer exceptional tonal qualities and longevity, they might not be feasible for a beginner who is just starting out and may not want to invest heavily in their equipment right away. Similarly, the choice of a shoulder rest can vary widely in price; and understanding a student's financial constraints can help narrow down the options significantly.

Next, I dive into the student's aspirations: "Is it your desire to do this as a career?" This question is essential because a serious commitment to pursuing music professionally often necessitates investing in higher-quality instruments and accessories. A student who aims to perform at a professional level will benefit from equipment that enhances their sound and comfort, while a casual player may prioritize different features. A caveat to this, is knowing their age. Typically, around 12 or 13 years old is when we finally fit into a full-size violin. If your student is still growing through sizes, and even if they're planning to play professionally, my opinion would be in favor of waiting to invest in high-quality items until they fit the full-size instrument.

Over the years, I have tested and tried a multitude of different products, ranging from various brands of strings to a wide selection of shoulder rests, and there's still more on my list to try(!!). Each product has its own set of characteristics that can either enhance or hinder a musician's performance. Through my experiences, I have discovered that there can be many 'right' answers to these questions, depending on the individual’s unique preferences, playing style, and physical attributes.

Ultimately, my goal as a teacher is to guide each student towards making informed decisions that will support their musical journey. By considering all these factors—budget, career aspirations, desired sound, etc. can help determine the right tools that will not only improve a violinist's technique but also inspire their passion for music.

I attempted to make this gift list as accessible as possible. So I've broken it down in two ways: the first half is categorized by pricepoint and the second half is by recipient level. My hope in breaking it down by these two categories will make it easier to select the perfect gift for the violinist in your life!

Shopping by price:

Under $25

• Fun pencils - a musician can never have enough pencils 😉

• Practice mute - these are heavy duty and help dampen the sound if you live in an apartment or condo. *make sure to purchase the correct size for the violin

• A nice rosin - I love these options.

• A personalized rosin box - Etsy has a lot of great options!

• Humidifier - these are great to keep in your violin case to help when the humidity changes. Bonus: your violin stays in better tune throughout the changes.

• Violin Ornament

• Finger placement tapes - I love using various colors of washi tape.

• A nicer chin rest

• A portable music stand

$25-$100

• An upgraded shoulder rest (like these) *remember to check the size before purchase.

• An upgraded music stand

• A set of replacement strings *make sure to check the size before purchase.

• A subscription to STRINGS magazine

• Digital metronome/tuner combo

$100-$500

• Sponsor a month of their violin lessons!

• Geared tuning pegs - these are a DREAM to use and sooo much easier than our traditional tuning pegs. (installation by a Luthier is required)

• An ergonomic shoulder rest - this one is on my Christmas list this year!

• Violin bow (or the purchase of a bow rehair)

• A full set of strings - here's one of my favorite luxury brands

• A violin case with backpack straps - here's one of my favorites

• Concert Tickets - pick a symphony concert or a favorite musician

• Annual subscription to Musescore or Scribd for all access to sheet music.

$500 and up

• Anything custom: bow, chin rest, carved pegs,

• A higher quality violin

• Premium music stand

• Wireless system, mic, amplifier and accessible bridge

Shopping by level:

Essentials for the beginning violinist:

• Collapsable shoulder rest

• Starter rosin

• Clip-on tuner or metronome

• Fingerboard position stickers or tapes

• Music stand

• Pencils!

• Rental violin membership

• Notebook to log their lesson notes

• Rhythm flashcards, violin stickers, or beginner sheet music

• Concert tickets

Essentials for the intermediate violinist:

• Higher quality shoulder rest

• Upgraded rosin

• Carbon fiber bow (or a mid-range option)

• Set of quality strings

• Humidifier

• Digital metronome

• Music stand light

• Geared tuning pegs

• Intermediate violin books or sheet music

• Sturdy violin case or backpack option

• Cellphone tri-pod to record their practice

• Concert tickets

Essentials for the advanced violinist:

• High-end equipment: pernambuco bow or bamboo bow

• Professional-grade strings

• High-quality rosin

• Custom chin rest or ergonomic shoulder rest

• High-quality violin case

• Performance recording equipment: microphone set up

• Advanced sheet music

• Gift card toward violin lessons

• Gift card toward a bow re-hair

• High-quality music stand

• Membership to Masterclass, Scribd, Musescore or an organization or society

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Did you enjoy this blog post? I bet you know someone who could benefit from this information! 😉 Share it with friends, family, the stranger at the grocery store...honestly, anyone who can read. Aside from playing and teaching the violin, I love writing and sharing my life lessons aaaand wouldn't mind getting paid for sharing my knowledge with the world. In all seriousness, thanks so much for reading! If even one person receives benefit from this post, I'm a happy little camper. Have questions?! Leave 'em in the comments.

Stay tuned for the next post...arriving regularly to an electronic device near you!