The days are getting shorter, your heat may have already kicked in a few times, and you’re starting to look for sweaters and coats you haven’t seen in months. Winter is coming, and that means dry air that can wreak havoc on your string instrument! As…
Latest Articles
Why You Should Start Your Child on a Franz Hoffmann
Monday, September 26, 2016Beginnings are critical, right? If you’ve ever grown a vegetable garden before, you know what I mean by this: starting right mean your garden will yield better results later on. You have to sow your seeds at the perfect time, with the right amount of…
New at SHAR - Fall 2016: Cello and Bass Strings, Electrics, Accessories, and Cases!
Saturday, August 27, 2016Since 1962, SHAR has been making new products available to string players every year. The fall season is usually when we debut most of our new products in preparation for new school years, concert seasons, and holidays! This year is no exception with…
Looking to buy a new set of strings?
Tuesday, April 12, 2016Sometimes buying strings for your violin, viola, cello, or bass, is just a matter of reordering the same strings that you've loved for ages. The reliable set that has always sounded great on your instrument might be all you need for the rest of your…
Why is My Stringed Instrument Buzzing and Rattling?
Wednesday, March 16, 2016Is your violin, viola, cello, or bass rattling or buzzing? Does it make these noises only on certain strings or notes?
String Musician Essentials for Outdoor Wedding Gigs!
Wednesday, May 20, 2015There's a lot that can go wrong when planning a wedding, so the live music should be the last thing the couple has to worry about. However, if you're the musician gigging at a wedding, it is your temporary raison d’etre and you owe it to your clients to…
Traveling with Your Cello
Tuesday, July 15, 2014If you’re an active musician, chances are you’ll be traveling to a gig, performance or audition out of town. If you’re a violinist or flutist, this isn’t a big deal... well, at least it shouldn't be. But if you’re a cellist or bassist? Let’s just say…
A Brief Email Interview with Kathryn Schutmaat
Tuesday, April 22, 2014When My Very First Cello Method first arrived at SHAR we thought: Another method book . . . is there anything special about this one? What follows is a brief email interview with the author, Kathryn Schutmaat. We hear a little about her professional…
What Should You Look For In a Case?
Friday, October 12, 2012If you just bought an instrument for the first time, or if you're looking to upgrade your current case, check out our purchasing guide below. It takes you through the major features you should consider such as shape, exterior and interior materials, and…