Individual Lessons
Streetcar Suzuki Violin School
Growing Beautiful Violinists in the Heart of New Orleans
Getting Started on the Violin
New Streetcar Suzuki Families: Please read the document linked below and webpage following your Sample Lesson.
Click to Read:
Before We Begin: A Guide for New Families
Materials for Beginning Students
The first three lessons are attended by only the parent (child will attend starting the fourth lesson). Beginning violin students will need the following materials for their first lesson:
Required Parent Reading:
“Nurtured by Love” by Shinichi Suzuki
"Beyond the Music Lesson" by Christine Goodner (also available in audiobook)
A properly sized violin and bow
Rosin
Kun or Everest Shoulder Rest in the appropriate size
Cleaning Cloth
Two baby wash cloths, two medium rubber bands
A piece of white posterboard or drawer liner
Suzuki Book 1 for Violin, Revised Edition and corresponding CD
“I Can Read Music” Book 1 for Violin
Violin Tuner/Metronome (You can look for an app on your phone, as well)
AnyTune App or The Amazing Slower Downer App
How to Select a Violin for your Child:
When choosing a violin, our highest priority is for the instrument to be capable of producing a beautiful, resonant tone. This will help create the most ease and joy for your child as he or she learns to play the violin. Please select a violin which is the highest quality that is financially feasible for your family. While it may seem initially more advantageous to buy one online, I highly suggest renting a violin at Keller Violins so that your child can be sized properly (similarly to shoes) and so that you can ensure the quality of the instrument.
Keller Strings
8209 Hampson St., New Orleans, LA
504-265-0530
Instrument Care
Along with learning to play the instrument, students will also learn to care for their violins. As handmade, unique, and fragile instruments, they require special attention and handling. Violins should always be stored in the case in a temperature-controlled room away from pets and young siblings. Violins should never be exposed to extreme heat or cold, and leaving a violin in the car with the high temperatures we experience in New Orleans would be very damaging to the instrument.
After practicing, violins and bows should be wiped clean with a plain, cotton cloth (a cut up t-shirt works very well) to avoid rosin building up on the strings or wood. Violins should be taken to the luthier (instrument shop) at least once a year for a check-up and a change of strings.