BOWS
You may have a wonderful instrument, but if you don’t also have the right bow you may be missing out on a whole other dimension of your instrument’s sound. The right bow not only makes technical playing easier, it also enhances and colors your instrument’s natural sound. We carry six levels of bows: Glasser Fiberglass Student, Rosewood, Carbon Fiber, Pernambuco, and Coda Bow Prodigy and Coda Bow Diamond Gold and Silver. On the rent-to-own program, the bows are covered for any kind of damage, except only one re-hair is allowed in the Master program. Bows range in price from $39 for the violin student Glasser to $750 for the Coda Bow Prodigy.
STRINGS AND ROSINS
Already have the ‘perfect’ instrument but wish it were a little more…? We have a huge selection of strings and rosins that can brighten, enrich, mellow, strengthen or just add zing to your instrument’s natural sound. We also offer tonal adjustments in our workshop; please call for an appointment.
SHOULDER RESTS
Although some students remain happy with the foam rests and other homemade shoulder rests, many students find that as they advance and start shifting they need a more secure shoulder rest option. The Muco is always a good option to try, but with all the differently shaped and sized players out there, we have a good, varied selection to choose from. We are always happy to assist you in finding the right option. Often beginners start with the simple Foam Rests. They’re inexpensive and make learning basic violin position easier. Adult beginners are also usually better off with a proper shoulder rest.
BEGINNING CELLIST ACCESSORIES
The beginning cellist will probably need to get an endpin rest, something to help keep the cello from slipping across the floor (it also protects delicate surfaces from getting scratched by the endpin). We recommend the Sure Stop for a beginner, as it is very easy-to-use. For the more advanced player the Xeros Anchor is the best bet. Although a little more complex to use, it is by far the surest way to secure the cello.
TUNING
Tuning string instruments is one of the first difficulties a beginner faces, the primary problem being that students don’t usually learn how to tune for a year or more. However, practicing on an out-of-tune instrument has some serious downsides, the least of which is the sound! Therefore, many adult players and parents of young players purchase one of three tuning aides. The first option is a tuning fork which is inexpensive and accurate, but only provides one note. The second option is a pitchpipe which gives all four tuning notes, but is less accurate. The final option is a tuner, an electronic device that allows you to play a note into it and then tells you what note you are playing and whether or not it is in tune. Although it is the most expensive of the three options, it enables folks who don’t yet have ‘perfect pitch’ to get their instrument tuned in between lessons. A good, easy-to-use tuner for the beginner is the Seiko ST-747.
Sophisticated tuners for sophisticated ears.. There are two reasons an advancing player may want an electronic tuner: 1) The player’s ear has become quite good and the teacher feels that some visual feedback may help them take the next step in fine-tuning their ear. 2) The student is ready to tune their instrument on their own but needs some backup help at home in between lessons. We have several nice tuners to assist the developing ear.
CASES
Several models of student cases are available from the thermoplastic shaped case, to fitted featherweight case and a few models in between. For better cases, we have three price levels, $129 for a lightweight oblong case, $179 for the better oblong violin cases and viola cases, and $229 for the leather and deluxe cases. For the rental cellos and basses we offer a heavily padded bag. Cases for cellos and basses are available for an additional charge.
REEDS
All shapes and sizes are available, from Rico Clarinet #2 to Vandoren Bari Sax #4. We have a large selection. We offer discounts of 10% for buying an entire box.
ETHNIC DRUMS
From Djembes to Tumbas to Bongos and Congos, we have a wide selection of ethnic drums. Our owner scours the globe to bring interesting and valuable pieces to our showroom.
UKELELES
We’ve got them. From your affordable soprano four string to Baritone, to double string tenors, we have a wide selection of Ukeleles.
GUITARS
From Joe Tercer to Ibanez, we stock beginning and some intermediate acoustic guitars. We have several colors of your Stratocaster model, and a few other electrics. Electric basses are also featured in a basic model.
PRINT MUSIC
A wide selection of teaching method books including: Essential Elements, Standard of Excellence, Strictly Strings, Suzuki, Measures of Success, and more. Some selection in guitar, piano and percussion. Some selection in the band and orchestra beginner libraries.