Picking up an instrument for the first time marks the very first step on a long journey. We can tell you from the outset, this journey won’t always be easy. There will be hurdles that you’ll have to leap over and obstructions that you’ll need to limbo under. There will be mysteries that can only be unravelled with hard work and there might even be times when you feel like you want to fling your bow into Timbuctoo. But, trudging on, even when you’re staring down the barrel of what feels like an endless pile of new information and a stack of skills that just seem so out of reach, you will be rewarded in more ways that you can fathom. So, be brave now, and later, your world will transform with the following benefits: Unleash your creativity According to Neuroscience, self-expression is one of the key ways that people connect, navigate and grow with each other. Using music to unlock the creativity that already exists inside you is one of the purest forms of self-expression. It’s tapping into something deep within, and showing it to the world. Ask any musician you know, there are few things that feel as empowering as that. Boost mental development Learning music actually makes your brain work more efficiently. Working memory is the bookmark that we use to placehold information until we are ready to use it. It plays an important role in helping us remember things and follow instructions. It impacts both our decision-making and behaviour responses. According to a study conducted by Baycrest’s Rotman Research institute, musicians (and those who are bilingual) use fewer brain resources when progressing through working memory tasks than those who aren’t musically trained and only speak one language. Dr Claude Alain, one of the study’s researchers, said that using less effort to perform the same task could protect against cognitive decline and even delay the onset of dementia. He also said, "Our results also demonstrated that a person's experiences, whether it's learning how to play a musical instrument or another language, can shape how the brain functions and which networks are used.” Relieve stress Research shows that playing music can reduce stress and ease the burden of anxiety and depression. According to the Chair of the Musical Therapy Department at the Berklee College of Music, Suzanne Hanser, “Research shows that making music can lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and lessen anxiety and depression. There is also increasing evidence that making music enhances the immunological response, which enables us to fight viruses.” Music therapy itself, is the use of musical interventions to improve patients’ quality of life. Improve your confidence The process of learning a new craft, of overcoming the associated challenges, will instill confidence in you that you are powerful, adaptive and progressing each day. To keep track of your progress, we recommend keeping a practice journal. Not only will a practice journal help you keep track of what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past, but it also provides a clear roadmap of how far you’ve come. On days where you might be feeling disheartened, flip open your practice journal and remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Let this serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come and a relic of your ability and capacity to grow, learn and hone your craft. Connect with others Learning music fosters connection. Simply for Strings is a testament to the way that music brings people together. Every day, we have musicians visiting us in store to read up on music and chat to our staff and each other about their latest musical achievements, wins and processes. When you play music, your social circle cracks open. Through talking to musicians who have been in your position before, you can learn from them, be inspired by them, and fast-track your own progress with their wisdom. Improve time management and discipline In music, timing can be everything. When you’re playing music in a group, you need to be aware of the music around you and be alert to your fellow musicians - otherwise you will quickly become lost. Music sharpens your sense of timing, both during playing and in your daily life. Scheduling in practice and attending music meet-ups helps to develop your sense of time management and hone your discipline. Each of these things have real-world effects on your quality of life. Got a friend that can never seem to make your coffee catch-ups on time? Maybe it’s time to suggest violin lessons! Activate joy To us, this is the real kicker of playing music - it just feels good. The feel-good impacts of music has been studied extensively by researchers. The University of Missouri found that upbeat music has a positive impact on our general wellbeing. According to the lead researcher, Dr Yuna Ferguson, “People were successful at raising their positive mood as long as the music they listened to was happy and upbeat”. However, that’s not to say that music that isn’t strictly upbeat doesn’t also elevate the mood of listeners and players. Bigger Better Brains spells out the findings of a study researching the rewards of music listening; making and listening to music lights up the connection in our brain that is listening and the part of our brain that is anticipating what is coming next. We often listen to songs and unconsciously predict what is coming next in the tune. When our prediction is right, we get a whack of dopamine - the feel good chemical. The best part about this is that even when we are wrong in our prediction, we still get that hit of dopamine, like a pleasant surprise.  We asked our staff, how has playing music shaped you into the person you are today? “Well, since I was diagnosed with hyperactivity as a little ’un (read ADHD in modern lingo) I was rather semiquaver paced in everything I said and did, with a bit of agitato thrown in from time to time. Learning two musical instruments taught me patience and gave me the ability to get through life in a more measured manner (read nice solid crotchets) - at least most of the time, for the lively little semiquavers inside still like to pop out from time to time, especially when negotiating staircases.” - Michael “Music has given me the opportunity to experience travel and life from a different perspective, and I love being able to give back. One local community in South America even told me that I’d inspired them to engage a fulltime cello teacher for their students – that’s what it’s all about for me.” - Elisabeth “Music has given me some amazing opportunities throughout the years to connect with other musicians, play pieces I’ve always loved, and taught me discipline, perseverance, patience and so much more. I can’t imagine who I’d be without the gift of music.” - Emily “As a young teen, music gave me an escape into another world outside of the pressures of school and awkward teen social circles. Within music, I found calm, complexity, direction and a strive to better myself.” - Shannon If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to explore the transformative world of music, we hope this article has convinced you to begin the first day of the rest of your life with a string instrument. As always, the Simply for Strings doors are always open for those curious about music. If you have any questions, big or small, visit our friendly team of staff in-store or pop into our email at hello [at] simplyforstrings.com.au. We’d love to meet you.

If your child has been practising and performing with gusto, it may be time to take the next step and invest in a new instrument. If your child has been playing the violin for a couple of years, and you're looking to upgrade because they've outgrown their current instrument or they're ready for something a little nicer, the string experts at Simply for Strings are ready to help. It can often be difficult for parents to know how much of a leap or investment they need to take at this stage in their child's musical education - how good does their next violin need to be, and what price and quality considerations should they take into account?In order to assist you through the transition, we’ve put together this handy guide that runs through the key factors to take into account when upgrading to an intermediate violin! Let’s get started… 1. Brand is still importantWhile you’re not yet near the stage of buying a hand-crafted violin from a small European workshop, you should still take the brand of the violin into account. Our intermediate range includes the Virtuoso, Allegro and Monteverdi instrument ranges, which represent higher quality workmanship and materials and excellent value for money. Each instrument (and brand) offers their own individual tone, so it can be helpful to visit a violin store in person so you can hear how they all sound when played.View the full range of Intermediate Violins available for purchase in our online store. 2. Don’t be afraid of a big sound! A lot of students get very familiar with the sound that they’re hearing as they play. Even if the sound isn't as beautiful as it could be, they’re used to it under their ear and they start to trust that it is the “right” sound. This can mean that they’re put off by a nice sounding instrument because it’s not what they’re used to. It can take a lot of reassurance from their teacher and others to finally understand what a good tone sounds like! When you’re looking to upgrade your instrument, be sure to compare the sound of everything that’s available – even if it’s out of your price range. This will give you and your child an idea of the tone that they’re trying to get to, which is usually a much bigger, more mature sound. This will help you to buy the best sounding instrument in your price range. Listening helps too. The sounds that students produce are very simple, and sometimes the complexity of a sound can be off-putting to them – but it’s what they should be striving for. Better tones and better sounds have a lot more complexity, which allows for more emotive, complex playing. Sit down with your child and listen to some recordings of professional violinists in order to familiarise them with the more complex sounds. You can also ask staff in-store to demonstrate and analyse the sound of different violins with you so that you can understand what you’re really hearing. Our team of string experts are happy to help! Learn more about planning your visit to Simply for Strings.3. Experiment with strings When you graduate to a higher level of instrument, strings start to play a much bigger role in the generation of sound. The thickness or the material that strings are made of can affect the tone that you produce when you play, such as the sweetness or the brightness of the sound. Intermediate instruments should be fitted with higher quality strings, however, if you're looking to upgrade to a professional string, be sure to ask the team member helping you for their personal recommendation.Browse our extensive range of violin strings to suit all budgets.4. Give it a bow Make sure that the bow you select for your violin is well-considered. The bow you use is important to the sound and the technique that you develop while learning to play. A lot of intermediate instruments will include an upgraded bow in the outfit, however, be sure you enjoy the feel and tone it produces. There is a wide range of bows available, and you may want to purchase a higher-quality bow than the one you already own. If you buy your new violin as part of an outfit you’ll receive one – however, you may still choose to purchase one separately if you’re not happy with the quality. Browse the full range of Violin Bows in our online store. 5. Trade it in Trading in your current instrument can help get you a better price when purchasing your next instrument. Your violin will need to have been well looked after and in reasonable condition, if you want to get a good trade-in value from it (most of the value is in the instrument itself, not necessarily the case and bow.) We welcome trade-ins of instruments purchased from Simply for Strings - a valuation can be done on the spot so, if you’re ready to upgrade, you can save time by bringing in your old violin at the time of purchase. Learn more about our Trade-in Service for all instruments.6. Get accessorised There are some key accessories you should pick up in order to make the most of your new instrument: Rosin: Make sure you match the rosin to the strings that you’re using. String manufacturers will usually produce their own rosin to suit their strings, and there are lots of different types you can choose from. Shop Rosins. Violin Case: Make sure that your new instrument is adequately protected from heat and cold. A decent quality case will help to reduce the fluctuation of temperatures inside the case itself. Shop Cases. Shoulder Rest: As your child practices more, it will become extremely important for them to be really comfortable. A shoulder rest should be properly fitted to their body, and this can be done in-store at the time of purchase. Shop Shoulder Rests. Remember, you don’t need to spend a fortune when upgrading your child’s violin! Following the tips above should help you find a value-for-money intermediate violin that produces good sound and tone. If in doubt, visit us in-store or get in touch and one of our knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you may still have about upgrading. If you’re in the market for your first violin, check out our Complete Guide to Buying a Beginners Violin here.

The very first instrument. The one that might make or break their interest in music. We understand there’s a whole lot of pressure to get this right, and of course you have a lot of questions bouncing around in your mind. What’s the right size of the instrument? Which brand do you choose? What do you want it to sound like? Is it the right instrument for your child, for the rest of their life? Take a deep breath. There’s only one important thing that we really want you to know: buying your child’s first stringed instrument should be a fun and exciting experience. That’s all. We mean it. There’s no rush, no stress about getting the “perfect” instrument on the very first go, and there’s certainly no need to book an appointment and rush through it. At Simply for Strings, our specialists are here every day to guide you through the process, and make sure it’s a smooth process. But we know that even with all this reassurance, it’s still a scary situation! That’s why we’ve got together a guide for buying your young musicians’ first stringed instrument. The first step: a sneaky search from the comfort of your home Even if you don’t know your trebles from your tenors, there are those around you that can help you find information: Ask your teacher for their recommendation Teachers are great guides to helping you pick your instrument. They do, after all, spend their careers coaching children (and adults) on how to be most comfortable and capable with their instrument. Before you head into your first lesson, ask your teacher what their opinions are on instrument sizes, and what they expect you to have on the first lesson. This may include accessories. If you’re still unsure about how to pick the most appropriate instrument, you can ask your child’s music teacher to come along with you to visit the store and help your child in choosing their instrument. They are also more than welcome to come chat with any one of our specialists. Do a quick Google search before you head into the shop Instrument prices can look very daunting. Even when you know it’s an investment into your child’s education and future, the price tag on a lot of instruments can be a massive deterrent. If you’ve got some time to spare, it’s a great idea to conduct a quick Google search before you head into a store, just so you have a rough idea of what to expect. View our range of beginner violins online. Make a list of “silly” questions you’d like answered There’s no such thing as a silly question. We’ve all been exactly where you are. In fact, we would say it’s much better to ask as many questions as possible, rather than biting your tongue and getting a worse fit for your child. Consider whether you want to buy or rent an instrument It’s normal to be concerned about whether your child is going to stick to their instrument long enough for you to warrant spending a lot of money on it. Take into account factors like whether your child wants to play the instrument because their friends are doing it, or whether they’ve been talking about it for a while. Renting is always a smart option for if you want to access an instrument but change your mind with no consequences. At Simply for Strings, all our rentals are professionally set up, and inspected before being accepted into our rental program. On the other hand, the rental fees over a period of time could end up costing you more than a brand-new instrument. This makes renting a great short-term option, while you’re deciding on a new instrument. Read our guide to buying vs renting. What to look for once you’re at the store Once you’re at the store, things should be smooth sailing. Especially if you’re at Simply for Strings (even if we do say so ourselves). Our team will measure your child in store, so you don’t even need to stress about sizes prior to turning up. But when you’re there, make sure you: Ask the person helping you if they can demonstrate the instrument. That can help you decide if you like its tone, and whether it will respond well to your child Ask about their professional set up – if it hasn’t been set up by a luthier (that’s violin maker in fancy speak), then it won’t be easy for your child to play And lastly, take your time. Make sure you put aside half an hour, or longer, so that you have time to listen and play a variety of instruments and brands, and enough time to browse through the accessories. And of course, our most important piece of advice: It’s the first and only time your child will be getting their first stringed instrument. Savour it! We promise it will all be worth it when you see the look on their face as they’re handed their very own, personally-fitted instrument. Oh, and don’t forget the accessories. There are two crucial things that come in handy for stringed instrument players. A music stand is a great way to get your child into the correct (and good) posture from the get go. Grab a cleaning cloth to go with it and encourage your little one to wipe their instrument clean after each use – it will bring them pride about their instrument as well! It’s also an easy way to set them up for success, from day one. Read our ultimate guide to what violin accessories you really need to buy. We hope you’ve found this guide handy, as you and your child embark on your first musical journey. And remember, we’re always free for a walk-in or a chat, so drop us a line or come visit us at 78 Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill.

Violins come in all shapes, sizes, colours – and prices. But how do you really know what you should be getting for your budgeted price range? This guide will give you a general overview of the standards for violins within each price range and offers a good starting point for finding a violin that best suits your needs. Every violin is different, and you should ideally look for the best value-for-money instrument placed within your budget. If your child is a beginner, you don’t necessarily want to overspend on an instrument that isn’t suited to their level, but if they’ve already started out with a basic instrument borrowed from school, you may want to start looking around at intermediate priced violins instead of the cheapest available. $335 – $700 Violin Price RangeThese are the most inexpensive violins that you’ll find at music stores. At this price, you’re looking at an entry-level or beginners instrument that is typically factory-made in China. The basic structure of these violins will be well-made, but they come ‘out of the box’ with no adjustments – a professional set up service will be required to get things sounding just right. We include our professional set up on all instruments - at no extra cost. For instruments in this price range, it is also important that individual parts are included or upgraded: Bridge – this will affect the tone of the instrument Strings – these should be upgraded to complement the instrument and give it a better tone Bow – not all accessories are of the same quality, and since a bow is essential to playing the violin, you should look to upgrade to a good quality one that will help to produce a better sound Case - a basic beginner outfit should include a case for transporting and protecting the violin. Shop Beginner Violins online and in-store.$700 – $1400 Violin Price RangeThere is a shift in quality when you move to this price range. A higher grade of timber is used, and so more highly skilled labour is required (resulting in a higher quality of workmanship). These violins are hand-finished and better parts are used, which further improves the quality of the instrument. The combination of workmanship and fittings gives these instruments a more mature, resonant tone. Instruments in this range are generally better suited to an intermediate player as an upgrade from their first violin to their second. This level of instrument would be considered a ‘luxury’ item for a beginner, but the quality can really pay off in their early musical education if you can afford it. Be on the look out for: An upgraded bow - some intermediate violin outfits will include an upgraded bow, which will help aide in improving tone and technique Upgraded strings - most intermediate violin outfits should include at least a set of Tonica strings or Dominant strings. Bridge - the quality of the bridge should be at least an Aubert or Despiau 1-tree. Shop Intermediate Violins online and in-store.$1400 – $2500 Violin Price RangeFrom here we start to see a much higher level of workmanship and expertise going into the crafting of the instrument. They are hand-finished for finer detailing and more refined workmanship is used. The grain of the timber is something you’ll need to consider in these instruments. The grain is the natural alignment of fibres in the wood, and can produce a more visually pleasing aesthetic as well as improve the tones and overtones of the instrument. You’ll want to look at the tightness of the grain on the front, and the flame of the grain on the back. These elements are a reflection of the higher grade of timber used in the instrument, which produces much nicer tones and overtones, allowing for much a more resonant and expressive quality of sound when played. They also project their sound better, producing a higher volume than the previous ranges. This level of instrument is usually the choice of advanced students because the quality of sound allows them to play more solo repertoire and suits much more expressive playing. In this price range, keep in mind that you may need to invest in: An upgraded bow - instruments in this price range may not always include an intermediate bow. If this is the case, you should expect to spend around $350-$800 on selecting a higher quality intermediate violin bow from brands such as Schumann, Paul or Dorfler. Professional strings - instruments in this price range should include at least a set of synthetic core strings, however upgrading to a Larsen, Obligato or Evah Pirazzi set will yield an even more beautiful tone. $2500 and above Violin Price RangeAt this point, you start to find more individually priced items, and your considerations will change depending on the workshop that the instrument comes from. The reputation of the maker may influence your decision, as various levels of workmanship and timber will vary and musicians may prefer one maker’s sound to another. The characteristics of the instrument’s sound become more personal and individual at this level. At this price range and above, you will find many instruments are crafted in European workshops. They are popular because people know the European reputation for high-quality workmanship and materials. Our best-selling advanced violins are from the Helmut Illner workshop, based in Germany. They are a customer favourite due to their expressive, full tone and very high quality materials. At the top end of our range you can find the Belgian master-made brand Pierre Marcel, and Italian-made Lillo Salerno; both of whose instruments represent outstanding quality and excellent value for money. The quality of the timber and the grain of the timber is something you’ll need to strongly consider in these instruments. The grain is the natural alignment of fibres in the wood, and can produce a more visually pleasing aesthetic as well as improve the tones and overtones of the instrument. You’ll want to look at the tightness of the grain on the front, and the flame of the grain on the back. As mentioned above, these elements are a reflection of the higher grade of timber used in the instrument, which produces much nicer tones and overtones. Varnish is another consideration in this price range - many modern instruments are varnished with an antiqued finish. Be careful to ensure the varnish is of a high quality, and is uniform across the instrument. In this price range, you'll generally have to purchase a bow and case separately. It’s generally expected that you have your own preferences for the bow and case. Learn more about how to choose a bow. You should expect to spend between $900 or more for a higher quality pernambuco or carbon fibre bow, depending on your level of performance. Shop our wide range of violin bows.Of course, choosing a violin doesn’t have to be a decision that you make all on your own. Here at Simply for Strings, our friendly team members are all qualified musicians who understand the nuances of each different violin we stock. We can guide you through the range and help you find the one that’s right for you. Come and visit us at our store in Red Hill or get in touch with any questions you might have.

Buying a violin for the first time – whether for yourself or your child – can be a daunting task. There are so many options to consider and it can be hard to know where to start. To ensure that you’re getting the best value for money at this early stage in your musical education, we’ve put together some key pointers for selecting the right beginner’s violin. 1. A professional set up is essential! Nearly every instrument has the potential to be as comfortable for the player as possible, however, often, instruments can be neglected at one of the most vital stages of their lives, the set up. Make sure that the violin you are purchasing is set up correctly so that it’s ready to play. Plenty of vendors out there will be happy to sell you an instrument straight from the box with no adjustments, and this means that the sound and technique learned while playing will both be poor. We recommend only purchasing an instrument that has been professionally adjusted and inspected. A poorly adjusted and inspected instrument is very likely to increase ongoing costs and potentially result in bad technique. Competitive price is not always true value. Simply for Strings combines both competitive prices and quality instruments which will not only last longer, but enhance your performance skills as well. Happy instruments make happy players.A professional set up should include adjustments to the: Bridge Nut Fingerboard Pegs Soundpost Tailpiece String Adjusters Chinrest Each part needs to be fitted, adjusted or fine-tuned to ensure comfort while playing, a balance of tone quality and volume, and clarity of sound that is free from buzzing. We include a professional set up - at no extra cost - with every instrument we sell.2. Getting the size right The easiest way to fall in love with playing the violin is to be comfortable doing it. The wrong-sized instrument can cause physical pain while performing, which will certainly lead to the novice player giving up on practice – or playing altogether! Violins come in sizes that are measured in fractions. A full size violin is listed as 4/4. Other common sizes include ¾, ½ and ¼. There are much smaller sizes available (including 1/8, 1/10 or 1/16) that line the shelves at Simply for Strings. Your violin teacher should be able to help you with sizing, or you can view our sizing guide or next to all of our products.Unfortunately, you can’t “grow” into a violin, so buying one that is too big in the hope that it will save you some upgrading in the future just won’t work. If your child is quite young and you’re concerned that they will grow out of their violin too quickly, you should consider buying a cheaper, second-hand violin, or perhaps renting one instead. Learn more about our rental program. Quick tip: If your child is left-handed, you still purchase a "normal" right-handed violin. 3. Make sure you’re covered Whether you decide to purchase a new or a second-hand instrument, it’s important that the instrument you purchase is covered under warranty. The warranty should cover the timber and manufacturing quality and safeguards against any structural issues that may arise. If you’re going for the second-hand option, you should also make sure that the seller has a current second-hand dealer’s license before you buy. This will ensure that you are protected by all applicable consumer guarantees related to second-hand goods in your state. Learn more about our warranty. 4. Buy the whole outfit A violin might seem “cheap” online but once you buy all of the required extras, the costs can really start to add up. When you buy your violin, make sure it comes in a package with a case and bow (called an outfit). This will save you some money and also means that you’re ready to go! Essentials not included in your outfit: rosin, shoulder rest, cleaning cloth, and many teachers ask students to upgrade the strings for best results. A few other items you might considering buying to make the most of your violin setup include: Beginners’ sheet music Music stand Tuner Learning Aides (such as fingerboard tape and bow grips) Spare set of violin strings String instrument cleaning kit Shop all of our instrument accessories. 5. Hit the mark on price You should expect to spend at least $350-$750 if you want a well-made student instrument. This price range also ensures that you should receive a nice sounding instrument. You should expect to spend at least $300 if you're purchasing a well-made second hand instrument.6. Get branded Buying a violin that is made by a respected brand should further assure you that you’re getting a good quality instrument. We recommend a few good quality brands that you can find under the beginner violins range of our store. Our best-selling beginner violins are the Prelude, Arioso and Virtuoso ranges. If you prefer a European-made violin, the Gliga range, handcrafted in Romania, is the most popular. Here at Simply for Strings, we offer our customers free shipping for all violins purchased through our online store. Before they are shipped, all of our violins undergo a final inspection by the team at Simply for Strings. This assures that the instrument meets or exceeds all specifications. Have some more questions? Get in touch with the string instrument experts at Simply for Strings today.