May 14

Common String Instrument Repairs

  The first time I was traumatized by a broken instrument was in the third grade. My dad propped my rental bass up, leaning it standing on its endpin against the side of our van on the morning of a performance. Propping a bass up standing like that is like asking for a death wish. …

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Apr 28

Musical Role Models: Depressing or Inspiring?

  It seems there are two kinds of people in the world: those who react positively and those who react negatively in the presence of someone who is “better” at something than they are. For example, while observing a successful performer having accomplished a specific task, individual A might be discouraged and tempted to throw …

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Apr 26

OCS Scholarship Auditions

This past Sunday, April 22, the Oregon Cello Society held their annual scholarship auditions.  The auditions were open to students in Oregon and SW Washington.  The OCS auditions have several divisions and levels for students to participate in with awards at each level.  The major award that the students were vying for was the Bud …

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Apr 23

Stradivarius in the Attic?

So you’re at Grandpa’s house helping him clean out his attic.  While cleaning, you stumble across a dusty trunk and inside you find some old books, a quilt, and a violin.  At first, it doesn’t look like much, the bridge is missing and who knows the last time the strings were changes.  But wait!  Something …

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Apr 09

What’s That Shiny Lump of Tree Sap In My Violin Case?

Different Rosins

Your new violin comes, you’re so excited. When you open the case, one of the things you notice inside is something that looks like a lump of tree sap. What is it? Rosin is a sticky subject. If you don’t get a grip on it, you won’t get very far in playing your violin, viola, cello …

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Apr 02

Stage Fright Tips: How to Overcome Performance Anxiety

Studies show that amongst a general list of “greatest fears,” there’s one in particular that consistently takes the cake. Surpassing a fear of spiders, heights, and even death, the act of public speaking (or performance) leaves most people shaking in their boots. “So, you’re telling me that at a funeral, most people would rather be …

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Mar 21

Healthy Obsessions: Embracing Your Passions Leads to Success

  The successful theoretical chemist Henry Eyring once said to his son while working on complex mathematical equation, “We were working a problem just like this a week ago. You don’t seem to understand it much better. Isn’t this what you think about all the time?” As the young man responded negatively, his father asked, …

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Mar 12

Stringed Instrument Care and Maintenance Part 2

Violin Bridge

Welcome to Part 2 of Instrument Care and Maintenance! If you missed Part 1, read it here. This time we’ll discuss some routine maintenance that is necessary for keeping your instrument in top condition. Bow Hair – The hair on the bow needs to be replaced regularly. If you are unsure of how often to …

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Mar 05

A Touch of Class: Concert Etiquette for Dummies

Maybe you’ve seen it before. You’re at a symphony concert in your best evening wear to find yourself seated next to an obvious newcomer. The lights dim, but a glow next to you reveals your friendly neighbor whipping his phone out from the pocket of his oh-so-fashionably torn jeans. After a storm of texting, he …

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Feb 20

Forever Young: It’s Never Too Late to Learn an Instrument

You’re in your car, stopped at an intersection, and glance over to see a young, beautiful teenage couple in a red convertible, laughing, smiling, and presumably taunting you with their youthful future of endless possibilities. In your minivan, now with 299,000 miles on it, you brush the stale crumbs off the passenger seat, glance in …

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