Whichever instrument you wish to play, it is best to start with understanding the instrument and learning the fundamentals of music. Learn the basics, practice often, and you will make remarkable progress.

Piano and Reading Music

Layout of the Keyboard:

Different keyboards have different numbers of keys, but these keys follow a repeating pattern that is composed of 12 keys. The keys include two types: black keys and white keys. White keys are the natural keys and the black keys sharpen and flatten the natural notes. Black Keys are known as accidental keys and the white keys are known as natural keys. The piano is organized in octaves – 8 white and 4 black keys. You can hear and play an octave, simply by placing your finger on any key and counting 12 keys up or down.

Reading Notes:

Learning to read notes is not difficult, as notes are a pattern that you can learn to read like reading words. Piano notes are named after letters of the alphabet. These start from A and end on G. They are then repeated: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C etc.

Understanding Chords:

Chords are a combination of notes usually 3 to 4 notes played at the same time. You can learn to play different types of chords on your piano with both hands.

  • Major Chord: The simple C-Major chord is a combination of three notes starting on middle C. You play the C-Major Chord by pressing C Key 1, E Key 3 and G Key 5 altogether.
  • Minor Chord: The C-Minor Chord and C-Major Chord are similar except that in major you hit E Key 3 and in minor you press Eb E-flat or Key 2.5. Two other basic types of chords include augmented and diminished.

Playing the Violin

Violin Placement:

  • The violin is held horizontally (parallel with the floor) and is angled to the left of a straight forward position.
  • Place the violin on your left collar bone (some violinists prefer the soft spot just behind the collar bone), and rest the left side of your jaw on the chin rest.
  • Many violinists find shoulder rests helpful to hold up the violin. There are a variety of shoulder rests available.

Left Hand Tips:

  • The elbow should be under the center of the violin.
  • Keep the wrist gently rounded.
  • Avoid resting the wrist against the violin neck.
  • The thumb should be opposite the first or second finger.
  • Maintain a curved, open space between the thumb and index finger (a backwards “C”).

Posture:

  • When standing, stand straight with feet shoulder width apart, and with relaxed knees. Some violinists recommend sliding the left foot slightly forward. 
  • When seated, use a chair with a firm base, and sit up straight (soft sofas aren’t recommended). Some violinists sit towards the front of the chair, and prefer placing the left foot slightly forward.

Other important features addressed in violin lessons would include:

  • Violin bow hold, placement, strokes, and techniques
  • Violin set-up: tuning, instrument care, maintenance, rosin, changing & choosing strings, bridge adjustment
  • Violin fingering, placement, shifting positions, scales
  • Violin practice tips, reading music, understanding rhythm and meter, dynamics, tempo, music glossary of terms, violin history, sticking violin pegs and so much more.