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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