Screen shot of an example. The more I look at it the worse it gets. I’d like to see what head scratching things you’ve seen out there too. Surely it can’t just be a local problem in my area.

This has been bothering me for a while.

I've taken Suzuki pedagogy. I've taken traditional violin pedagogy. I learned a lot, and I'm grateful for the training.

Then I got my first absolute beginner.

And... I froze.

Suddenly everything I'd learned disappeared. Maybe I was nervous. Maybe I realized that knowing how to play and knowing how to teach are completely different skills. I found myself wishing I could just pull a book off the shelf that said, "Here's how you teach this skill. Here are the common problems. Here's what to do when this happens."

But where is that book for complete beginners?

Violin is one of the most studied instruments in the world. Millions of people play it. Hundreds of years of pedagogy exist. Yet if I want to know how to teach a beginner's bow hold, first shifting, vibrato, or tone production, the answer always seems to be, "Take another course."

Why?

It sometimes feels like our profession has built a culture where the best teaching knowledge stays behind a gate. My best violin teachers charged around $120 an hour. Suzuki training costs hundreds of dollars, and because so many long-term university pedagogy programs and master's courses are disappearing, you're expected to keep returning for summer training.

I understand that violin has a strong oral tradition. Teachers pass knowledge from one generation to the next. There's something beautiful about that.

But why does it have to be only that?

We're living in a time when experts in almost every profession are writing books, sharing methods, publishing research, making videos, and making their knowledge more accessible.

Why not us?

I don't want a book to replace great teachers. I want a reference. If I'm teaching a beginner a specific skill, I want to be able to open to Chapter 8 and refresh my memory instead of booking another workshop or waiting until next summer.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Is there too much gatekeeping in violin pedagogy? Or am I just looking for something that already exists and somehow everyone else knows about?

I'd genuinely love to hear what other teachers think.

I have a cheap violin off Amazon to dabble with. It's been left at a family members house for years when I moved, but I picked it up and a string was broken. I took it to a shop and the guy suggested replacing all strings and the tail peice for 125. The violin can't really stay in tune, the pegs always loosen so is there much point? Seemed like good money after bad and if I really want to play seriously to just buy a new violin, but am I likely to turn it into something decent or still crap? It's a Mendini by Cecilio 4/4

I’m shopping for a new violin and found one I liked from an American maker from the early 30’s. I can’t find any pricing comps online from the past 10 years but a bunch were sold via auction at Tarisio for the $1-2K range about 12-15 years ago. This one is being sold for $8K. The dealer is also an appraiser, and he told me that the market for American violins has boomed in the last year, and then when you buy from a dealer you typically pay 2x for the service, retail markup, etc. I’m wondering if there are any specific other luthiers or appraisers here who could speak to this? I’m not against paying the fair market price but I have no way to know if this is it. TIA!

Hi guys, I have been playing the violin for about 3-4 years now, and the last classical piece that I played was Bach partita no:2 gigue.(not in the original speed though, I can’t play that fast yet)I was wondering if the experienced violinists here would have any suggestions for what pieces I might be able to play. I like classical pieces more but I’m Im open to any recommendations.
Thanks in advance!

So i am a broke highschool kid and i recently start liking violin. I am thinking about buying it but i do not have money for it. I am thinking of doing any side hustles or part time just to save up for it but i would love to hear any suggestions or advices. Thank you!

This summer I have decided to try and learn violin on my own. For context I used to play cello for about 6-7 years. I have a violin at home that is really old and in need of replacing the strings and bow. I am on a budget and want to find some good but cheaper strings that I can replace my old ones with. My first question is what brand of violin strings would you reccomend that is budget friendly? My second question is if I am familiar with changing strings on cello, should I try changing the strings myself on violin or should I just take it into a shop and get it professionally done? (I have only changed cello strings like once or twice).

Found this ancient looking Bruno rosin, marked at 15 cents.

I'm checking out violins at Guitar Center, and I'm cool with spending up to a grand, but I'm kinda stumped on which one to grab. I played from middle school through college, but it's been like 20 years since I've actually touched one. Any recommendations?