Tips and Warnings:
- A shoulder pad or shoulder rest that attaches to the base of the instrument often helps the young student support the violin. These cost between $12 and $35.
- Focus on the goal of knowing how each of the four strings sound.
- Train your ear to recognize pitch changes and the qualities of sound.
- Try to reproduce the pitch of the string while speaking its name.
- Each string is five notes (a fifth) above or below its neighboring string.
- When tuning, overtightening any one of the strings can put too much tension on the bridge.
- When replacing the bridge, bring all four strings to a medium tension before you begin tuning.
- Avoid "picking" the strings vertically. This can cause a "slapping" sound when the string hits the fingerboard.
