These are a few of my favorite strings.

Over my 20-plus years of string playing, I have had the opportunity to try quite a few different varieties of violin strings, and have found that some are better (much better) than others. Violinist.com offers an excellent breakdown on types of strings. As the article mentions, string preferences can vary by player and instrument, so it's really best to try out some different types on your own. From my experience, my personal favorites are...(drum roll)...Evah Pirazzi strings. Usually coming in at about $70.00 per set,  they're a bit expensive, yes. But I've found them to have an unusually rich sound that really improves the tone of my instrument.  The only downside is that the beautifully rich sound does not last forever, and they can begin to sound dull after a few months. For students or intermediate players, I find that Dominant strings have a nice warm sound, are durable, and are fairly reasonably priced.

While it can be fun to experiment with different varieties of strings, it's important to remember that quality, mindful practice is the surest way to a beautiful sound. Lovely-sounding strings are just the icing on the cake.

The Importance of Ensemble Playing

I sometimes hear that students who are participating solely in private instrumental lessons will become bored and disinterested.  Admittedly, playing music all by yourself can occasionally become lonely, and, let’s face it – boring. I encourage all of my students to become involved in some ensemble music-making, whether it’s in school, in an Area Orchestra, a youth orchestra program, or a little chamber music! Some  excellent local youth orchestra programs I recommend are the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, Youth Orchestras of Prince William, or The Youth Orchestras of Fairfax.

Ensembles give students a chance to improve all aspects of their playing, including rhythm, intonation, and sight-reading. It’s a great way for students to meet peers with similar interests and enjoy a whole new aspect of learning an instrument. Music isn’t just about playing in one’s own practice bubble – it’s about listening, communicating, and interacting with others via your instrument.

Top 5 Favorite Summer Music Programs

As a student, I was personally quite fortunate to attend some amazing summer music camps. They spanned from small-scale, rustic operations to international festivals, and all of them offered unforgettable musical and social experiences. I recommend these whole-heartedly to my students as a means of improving technique, expanding musical knowledge, and meeting other like-minded folks. They can become expensive (thanks Mom and Dad!), so some programs offer financial aid or work-study programs – they are well worth the cost! The following are five of my favorite programs – including some that have received rave reviews from some of my colleagues. 5. Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp, Winchester, Virginia

4. Point CounterPoint Chamber Music Camp, Leicester, Vermont

3. Killington Music Festival, Killington, Vermont

2. Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

1. Brevard Music Festival, Brevard, North Carolina