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Addressing intonation issues within an ensemble is a common challenge for orchestra teachers, but there are several effective strategies to improve intonation and promote a more harmonious sound. Here are some approaches you can try:1. Ear Training: ...

Finding appropriate repertoire for students' skill levels is crucial for keeping them engaged and challenged while ensuring they can successfully learn and perform the music. Here are some steps orchestra teachers can take to find engaging pieces:1. ...

Recruiting for an orchestra program can be both exciting and challenging. Here are some strategies orchestra teachers can use to effectively recruit students:1. School Presentations: Arrange presentations in schools to introduce students to the orche...

Learning to vibrato on the violin does not have to be hard. Using my own teaching method, I have successfully taught vibrato to many students who have only been playing violin for a few months. With the right explanation, often times students will ex...

It's no secret that musicians sometimes live in a world of their own, with its own set of lingo. But do we always realize how bad the communication gap can get? Here are 5 ways that music teachers sometimes confuse their students:1. "What no...

There are many free online resources for orchestra teachers. Here is a list of my favorite:1. StringSkills.com by Gabriel A. VillasurdaIn my opinion, this is by far the best free resource out there for string orchestra. I use just about every resourc...

What should you look for when purchasing a violin, and how do you go about finding a good deal? This is a question that I get asked often by students and parents. The answer will depend on whether you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced, or profes...

Have you ever had a violin or orchestra student tell you that their pinky is double-jointed? Bring up the subject in class and you might even have a student tell you (with much pride) that all their fingers are double-jointed. Before you know it, you...

When people hear that I am a violin teacher, often times I get comments on how patient I must be to deal with beginners who produce squeaky sounds. However, my beginner violin students don't sound squeaky-- or, at least, not for very long.In thi...