Here is our annual list of summer music programs and camps in and around the Bay Area. Updated for 2012!

Some of the fine groups include: Valley of the Moon, FiddleKids, SF Conservatory Summer Music West, Crowden Music Camp, and many, many more...

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Friday, November 18, 4 to 6 pm

Jeremy Cohen, violininst/composer, will demonstrate how to use his duet books for violin or viola in your lessons.

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Finding the right-size fractional instrument requires a good ear for tone

In spite of chronic loss of funding for our schools and subsequent elimination of music programs, it seems as if more young children than ever are playing stringed instruments. In this article, Richard Ward discusses what to look for and how to look for smaller instruments...

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Learn to cultivate good violin-shop relations.

Richard Ward (from an article originally published in Strings Magazine) discusses finding and keeping a good working relationship with a violin repair shop; includes criteria for choosing a shop, and useful pointers on etiquette...

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A fine stringed instrument is designed to last for hundreds of years.

At the same time, some instruments and bows have a relatively short life span because of carelessness and neglect on the part of their owners. To keep your investment in the best possible condition, we have put together this guide to assist you in maintaining your instrument and bow.

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Many musicians and students are amazed and sometimes bewildered by the large number of strings available for the violin, viola, cello and bass. We are offering this information to answer some of the basic questions about choosing strings...Each different type of string has its own special characteristics, which can change the sound of your instrument. These characteristics can make subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) changes in the quality, playability, volume and responsiveness of the instrument...

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From Cremona, Italy, the capital of violin making, the CONSORTIUM OF VIOLIN MAKERS "ANTONIO STRADIVARI" CREMONA, representing 72 contemporary master violin makers, tours the US with a large selection of violins, violas, cellos, all available for purchase, opening at Ifshin Violins.

This is an opportunity to experience the highest standards in modern stringed instrument craftsmanship representing 500 years of tradition.

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Recently Jay Ifshin and Herb Rudolph of Timberwood Industries (who helped us acquire the collection of Dino Lelli) traveled to Milan to see the violins, violas and cellos left by Luigi Villa of Pesano (near Milan).

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If you ask most string musicians what kind of instrument they would really like to have, almost all would tell you that they would like to have an Italian violin, viola, or cello (preferably at least 200 years old). Most musicians believe that the old Italian violins have a special quality of sound that other instruments just don't have. There is a perception that an Italian violin has that special something that gives the musician that extra edge and confidence.

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Jay Haide (pronounced Hi-duh) is the brand name of a line of violins, violas, cellos, and basses, and the product of a longtime collaboration between Jay Ifshin and his shop foreman Haide Lin.

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