Shar Music Blog

Remembering Evelyn Avsharian

Staff Writer — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 16:00:00 GMT

We’ve always loved the Children’s Music Series here at SHAR, but we recently realized that very few people outside of SHAR know much about the author of this excellent series. We came across this thread on Violinist.com about the author, Evelyn Bedient Avsharian. In the thread, the person posted the question: “Does anyone know exactly who Evelyn Avsharian is? I have used many of her books but I can't find any information about her!”. We thought it was time that the violin community knew more about this remarkable person who was a violinist, teacher, wife and mother. We sat down with Evelyn Bedient Avsharian’s widower, Michael Avsharian, to ask him more about his late wife. The following blog in her memory is based on an interview we had with him.

This post originally appeared on our blog in 2015. It is being revisited in tandem with Shar Music's 60th Anniversary and Women's History Month 2022.

Do I Need a Shoulder Rest For My Violin?

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Shoulder rests are a relatively recent, and somewhat controversial, part of a violinist or violist's kit bag. One musician or teacher may tell you that a shoulder rest is an absolute must; another might insist that it's not only unnecessary, but detrimental. So, who's right?

The Problem with Cheap Violins

Aaron Johnson — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 13:00:00 GMT

If you are the parent of an aspiring musician, or a beginner yourself, you'll eventually find yourself in the position where you need to purchase a beginner violin. Looking at all the beginner violins for sale online, you may find yourself thinking: "why not purchase one of these $30 - $90 violin outfits that I see online? They must be just fine, right?”.

Is Violin Hard To Learn?: A Conversation with Kiana June Weber

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 13:53:57 GMT

Kiana June Weber. Photo by J. Carlos Gonzalez.

What is the Best String Instrument For Me?

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT

So, you've decided that you'd like to learn a string instrument. Great choice! Playing a string instrument — be it a bowed instrument like violin or cello or a plucked/strummed one like guitar or ukulele — can be immensely rewarding, whether you have professional aspirations or are just learning to play music as a hobby.

Fiddle vs. Violin: What’s the Difference?

jackm@sharmusic.com (Jack Makled) — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 13:30:00 GMT

I’m here today to shed some light on a common question: what’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?

Finding the Best Violin for Beginners

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 16:25:13 GMT

Are Violin Strings Really Made of Cat Guts?

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 17:05:34 GMT

At some point, most kids will have another kid tell them that violin strings (not to mention stitches and tennis rackets) are made of cat intestines, or “catgut”. It’s a classic gross-out, especially effective if the kid on the receiving end is the type to be squeamish about, say, dissecting a frog.

String Theory: A Progressive Rock Violin Primer

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 19:00:00 GMT

We all know that the violin family of instruments — that is, violin, viola, cello, and double bass — is most closely associated with classical music. It makes sense: one virtually defines the other, after all! Yet bowed string instruments have worked their way into nearly every corner of music around the world, with the advent of the electric violin in particular allowing for the violin family's entry into modernity.

"What is the Earliest Bowed String Instrument?" and Other Tricky Questions

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 16:15:00 GMT

If you play a string instrument – be it a violin family instrument like what we sell at SHAR Music or an electric guitar, a harp, a European lute, what have you – at some point during your musical practice you’ve surely wondered to yourself: “just where, when, and why did people come up with this idea?”. Let’s face it: playing a string instrument is kind of weird when you think about it, and debatably even weirder when the strings were made of an animal’s intestinal lining! It raises a lot of questions: how did humans start playing string instruments? What was the first string instrument? When did bows come into play, and what is the earliest bowed string instrument? Why do we play a violin or viola under the chin?

Which Rosin is Right For Me?

jackm@sharmusic.com (Jack Makled) — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 14:47:53 GMT

Mutes: What Difference Do They Make?

jackm@sharmusic.com (Jack Makled) — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 15:45:00 GMT

Hello, Internet! Today, we’ll attempt to demystify the mutes used for violin, viola, cello, and double bass. These simple tools of the trade are essential string instrument accessories, and they're easy enough to use, but they also come with many questions. Are certain mutes better than others? What’s the difference between a ‘concert’ and a ‘practice’ mute? Does it matter if a mute is rubber or ebony?

15 Ways to Optimize Your Violin Practice

Heather Figi — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Memphis Shakedown: How Blues Fiddle Changed 20th Century Popular Music

dustink@sharmusic.com (Dustin Krcatovich) — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 18:55:09 GMT

When one closes their eyes to picture their archetype of a blues musician, most see someone with a guitar. This isn't too surprising: from Charley Patton to Bonnie Raitt, the guitar has been central to blues music throughout its recorded history. However, a great many of the techniques used in blues guitar playing were originally adapted from those used by violinists in "pre-blues" African-American string bands. Referred to retrospectively as "blues fiddle", this set of techniques — wide and moaning vibrato, double-stop harmony bowing, and so on — was of integral importance to the development of the blues sound, and to 20th century American music writ large.

Music Stands – Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

jackm@sharmusic.com (Jack Makled) — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 04:11:26 GMT

What do we do when our live-in butler says they’re tired of holding up our sheet music while we’re practicing? Well, of course usually we’d get our other butler to help, right? But what if I told you there’s an easier, more efficient way of holding your sheet music? That’s right! Today we’re talking about music stands. “Which stand should I get?” is the big question we’re trying to answer, but to do that we’ll need to break it down into a couple smaller questions – “What is my budget for a music stand?” and “Where will I use it?”.

Happy Father's Day 2020

Rachel Krueger — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 17:23:05 GMT

To the dads, our original superheros. For the men by which all others are measured, this emotional and passionate piece played by SHAR's own, violinist, Chenyi Avsharian and pianist Amy Lin-Cheng is our tribute. Featuring our SHAR Family "fathers" (and our amazing friends and customers) here's to you, Dads.

Chenyi Avsharian: Finding Confidence

Chenyi Avsharian — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 00:18:44 GMT

I lost it on the way to adulthood - bit by bit, piece by piece.

20 for 20: Our favorite classical music hand washing themes

Rachel Krueger — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 14:00:00 GMT

"Ludwig van Beethoven: Space Traveler, Human Heart Explorer" from In the Key of Strawberry

Arnold Steinhardt — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 13:30:28 GMT

Editor's Note: The following blog post originally appeared on Arnold Steinhardt's blog In the Key of Strawberry and is republished with permission. Steinhardt is the founding member of the Guarneri String Quartet and the author of two books: Violin Dreams and Indivisible by Four. For more stories visit here or follow on Twitter.

Living a Life of Musical Diversity

Michelle May — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:00:00 GMT

SHAR is collaborating with black artists in the string instrument community for Black History Month! Every Monday in February, expect a new blog post featuring black artists' first-hand perspective of various aspects of the music industry. This week, we're excited to hear from Michelle May, an active violinist in the Detroit metro area. Read on as Michelle shares her unique important point of view on diversity in the classical music industry and reminds us of the work still to be done.