Rosin dust should be removed immediately after each playing or practicing session from the violin and the strings. Use a soft, lint free cloth after each practice session. This is necessary because rosin dust collects on the body of the instrument under the strings and on the strings, and if it builds up it will be difficult to get off. If you do this consistently, it shouldn't be necessary to use a violin cleaner/polish.

It's an excerpt from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, and it's being played by Steven Bochco's father Rudolph.

It might be a good idea to rent a violin to start with. Try Foote's - this is a shop in London that has an excellent rental scheme, quite cheap and they are prepared to send instruments all over the country. If you want to buy, any music shop can get hold of the type of instrument beginners use in schools - the best-known make is Stentor - expect to pay somewhere in the region of £100.

To find a teacher, try Musicians Friend. Failing that, contact the local Education Authority Music Service. They won't help you directly as they exist to serve schools only, but they must employ a lot of violin teachers many of whom will be interested in giving private lessons in their spare time.

They are essentially the same instrument. A modern Fiddle is often refered to a Violin in a Folk setting. A traditional Fiddle is a medieval instrument that is related to and somewhat resembles the modern Violin.

You will be able to do many of the activities that you were able to do before the implant. You should always talk with your doctor before resuming any of these activities. Some activities like contact sports that could damage your device or cable may be prohibited. Others like swimming may be discouraged, or allowed with certain restrictions.

The type of strings vary depending on the type of sound you are trying to acheive. However, generally speaking Eva Pirazzi or Vision strings are recommended. For more information, see our violin strings page.

That is a great question. Most of the time the prices are determined by dealers and appraisers based on what similar instruments are selling for. Most violin makers are also dealers. If you have a violin that you are not sure about, you should take it to several dealers as they will probably tell you different things. I have seen dealers say an instrument is worth very little and then offer to buy it and others say it is worth alot and offer to sell it for me.

You may get different opinions on this, but I think changing your violin strings depends on how much you use them and wear them out. So if you practice for about 3-4 hourse a day, you should probably change them every 6-12 months. If you practice less than an hour or so per day, you could change them every 12-24 months. Hope this helps! - Shaundra

One of the best ways to hold a violin is to not use a shoulder rest. For more information, check out our page on holding the violin.

I'm afraid we aren't a shop and don't sell instruments, we just give free advice. Almost any music shop should be able to sell you a NEW violin for about £100 - you don't need very good quality for a 4-year-old - frankly she won't know the difference! Ask for a make called "Stentor" - they are basic but cheap and tough.

The Viola is the second highest pitched instrument of the string family. It is similar to the violin in most respects, however it is larger and is a fifth lower in range.

A reliable method is to stretch your arm straight out under the instrument, and under the scroll, and if the instrument's scroll ends flush with the pulse, it is just right. According to the build of a student, it can be a little shorter or longer. A sturdy student can take a little longer; it will mean less bend at the elbow when they play, which is tiring but can be tolerable, but if the candidate is weak then one chooses a little shorter instrument

In order to preserve the authenticity of the time the original text was written, the musicians referred to descriptions found within the Biblical text to guide the creative process. For example, when they encountered references in the Psalms to violins, psaltery (similar to a harp) and other stringed instruments, the musicians used these or similar instruments in the appropriate song. In other words, they used instruments that most closely fit the period and specifically, the Psalms.

I always suggest renting your first violin. During our initial lesson I will measure your child and tell you what size violin you should get.

About 60% of my orders are for 5-String instruments. In violins this is a low C, giving you the range of a violin/viola. What you gain is a very powerful and resonant sound which allows you greater expression for soloing and a wider tonal range for ensemble playing. The neck is slightly wider and you have to adjust your bowing technique slightly to accommodate the extra string. A 6-string model with a low F and C is also available.

your child grows, our violins will grow with them. A percentage of your previous violin rental will be carried over as a credit toward a larger violin size.

All of our instruments are subjected to autoclave sterilization ? the same process that responsible hospitals and dental offices use. The autoclave is spore tested monthly to ensure it is in proper working order and these results are on display on the wall beside the front counter. Items or areas that are impossible to sterilize in this manner are covered by plastic barriers which are disposed of at the end of the procedure.

Special care must be taken with the socket until healing is complete. In the immediate time period after your surgery, the closed eyelid should be wiped gently with a cotton ball moistened with the sterile eye solution given to you when you are discharged; drops or ointment may also be prescribed. This helps to keep the socket free from infection. The healing process usually takes about two to four weeks. When you receive your ocular prosthesis, you may wash your face normally.

You can clean the blades of your skates by wiping them with a towel to keep them dry after using them. Make sure you do this after each wearing. With the material skates are made of, there's not a lot of maintenance and cleaning needed to the boot.