SHAR Blog

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…

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:…

Kiana June Weber. Photo by J. Carlos Gonzalez.

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…

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

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…

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…

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…