Though there is considerable debate about the use of a violin shoulder rest, many beginner violinists use the shoulder rest when they are first starting to learn the violin. The shoulder rest is as the name suggests: it is an accessory that is attached to the body of the violin to support the instrument overRead more…

Of course you know of the Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky violin concerti, even if you can’t identify the composer. There are certain pieces in the violin concerto repertory that are so well known, they are referred to by the name of their composer only. Yet there are many violin concerti out there, perhaps not asRead more…

Violin duos and duets are an indispensible part of the chamber and orchestral music repertory. This is the second and final article in a two-part series based on violin duos and duets. In this article you will find the top 8 violin duets in the classical repertory.

Violin duos and duets are a brilliant part of the chamber music repertory. This is the first article in a two-part series based on violin duos and duets. In this article you will find the top 8 violin duos or collections of violin duos.

The violin sonata is a type of composition that features a solo violin that is usually accompanied by a keyboard instrument, most typically a piano. This is a relatively underappreciated part of the violin repertory since violin sonatas are considered chamber music and thus are often less showy than violin concertos. Here is not aRead more…

A bow is arguably the most important tool for producing a beautiful sound on the violin. Whereas many professionals will often have multiple violins that they use, most will have just one bow, or a definite favourite bow that they use most often.