JULIA'S VIOLIN BLOG

A quick guide to viola chin rests As a violist, finding a comfortable setup is so important. Violas are larger than violins and can feel heavy and bulky over long playing sessions. Finding a chinrest that supports your posture can help relieve many problems and discomforts that could arise. However, shopping around for a new [...]

A review of the Everest shoulder rest for violin and viola. After many discussions about shoulder rests in the comment sections of my recent articles, I think it’s high time to put my favorite shoulder rest in the spotlight. The Everest shoulder rest is my go-to rest for my violin. The shape works well for [...]

This BonMusica violin shoulder rest review shares an overview of this shoulder rest and will help you determine if this might be a good accessory for you. Spoiler: it's an ergonomic option to consider! Choosing a shoulder rest—and whether or not you want to use one—is an important consideration to make. A good shoulder rest [...]

An overview of violin pieces in the Suzuki Violin Method Have you heard of the Suzuki violin method? It’s a very famous series of music books that violin teachers all over the world use for students of many ages. If you’ve ever wondered what these books cover, you’re in luck! Today I’m sharing a list [...]

The string quartet is often regarded as one of the most beautiful forms of classical music. I certainly agree, but if you're skeptical, let's take a look at the history of this art form together! A string quartet can be either a piece of music written for four string instruments, or a group of four [...]

A study on the violin clef, also known as the treble clef or G clef When you open up your violin sheet music, the very first thing you’ll see on the music staff is the clef. It’s a very fancy-looking symbol, and it actually tells you a lot of information! Different instruments will play using [...]

An overview and buying guide of the best violin rosin In addition to your violin and bow, rosin is one of the most important tools you need to actually play the violin! Rosin goes on your bow hair to give friction between the hair and strings, and to actually produce sound. Different types of rosin [...]

A beginner’s guide on how to rosin a bow You brought your violin home and opened up the instrument case to find the violin, bow, and… a box of shiny brown tree sap? You might have wondered, what is this stuff?! The answer is rosin! Rosin is a necessity for playing violin or any other [...]

Today we're diving deep into the popular question, "How many Stradivarius violins are there?" The allure of a Stradivarius violin is undeniable, captivating us all with its legendary craftsmanship and stellar sound quality. But many of us wonder - and historians are still solidifying - how many of these fine instruments still exist today. Antonio [...]

When you're diving into violin music, you'll encounter all kinds of works from different classical music periods, each with its own sound and style. Understanding when these periods took place and what made their music so interesting will help you become a better violinist. Today, we'll take a deep dive into each classical music era. [...]

In the world of classical music, violin and piano duets are a fun way to make music with others, while enjoying some of the finest music ever composed. Strings and keyboard instruments are always a good combination, and the duets in this article will inspire you to start practicing these pieces for yourself! No matter [...]

A one-stop guide to playing violin double stops with control and ease. Composers incorporate double stops to add depth and mix melody and harmony. In fact, if you've ever tuned your violin by checking two strings together, then you've actually already played a double stop! Double stops can be tricky and frustrating. With a few [...]