SHAR Blog

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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"…

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