Accessories & Resources
Below are links to pages for various items to help students & parents with assorted orchestra items.
Instrument & Music Accessories (Gift Guide) | Supplemental Sheet Music
Below is a list of accessories that some students find helpful when playing their instrument. Only a few of the items listed are required in the program, however some are extremely handy to have around. Most of the items listed can be found at the local music stores and online music stores.
Rosin (Required for all instruments): Used on the bow to allow the bow hair to "grip" the string. One brick should last 1-2 years, unless the brick is dropped. Included w/ all rentals. Price ranges from $3-$15
Cleaning Cloth (Required for all instruments): Used to clean the rosin off of the strings and surface of the instrument. Instrument should be wiped off after each practice. Old socks, washcloths, cut-up t-shirts work fine.
Shoulder Pad (Required for all violinist & violists): Attached to the back of the instrument to help students to hold and support the instrument in the correct position. Included w/ all rentals. Price ranges from $3-$5
Deluxe Shoulder Rest (Violin & Viola): Similar to the shoulder pad, but provides much more support and is adjustable to fit each students body type. There are many brands on the market, but I recommend Kun. Price ranges from $15-$50
Rock Stop (Required for all `cellists & bassists): A small rubber disk, that sits on the floor and holds the end pin in place while playing. Useful to keep the end pin from sliding away, and to prevent scratching the floor. Included w/ all rentals. Price ranges from $8 - $15
End pin Anchor(`Cello): A better alternative to the rock stop. One end of the strap holds the end pin, while the other end wraps around a chair leg. This prevents having to reset the rock stop frequently. Price ranges from $10-20
Music Stand (All instruments): A music stand helps students position their music correctly while practicing at home, which helps to encourage proper posture and playing technique. Folding wire music stands are cheap and portable. While any stand is acceptable, if you can find a K&M brand, they tend to hold up better. Permanent stands are much more stable, but not as transportable. Wire folding stand prices: $15-$30. Permanent stand prices: $35-$60
Metronome / Tuner (All instruments): Both of these tools help students to play better when used correctly. The metronome helps students to feel a steady beat and to play rhythms more consistently. A tuner can help students to tune their instruments and help them to check their finger placement. Apps are also available for tablets and phones, however they are not always as accurate as a handheld unit. Price ranges from $15-$50
Instrument Stand (All instruments): An instrument stand is a convenient tool to help encourage students to practice, and spend more time practicing, and less time setting up and tearing down the instrument. Leave the instrument setting on the stand throughout the week, and the student is able to pick up the instrument anytime and start playing. Approx Price: Violin & Viola - $25+ / Cello & Bass - $45+
Supplemental Sheet Music
Below is a list of recommended supplemental repertoire for first year, second year, and advanced string players. Some of the books are great to have around just for fun, while others provide some great supplemental exercises for both the struggling student and the accelerated student. Most of the items listed can be found at the local music stores and online music stores listed on the music store page page. Please contact Mr. Williams or Mrs. Cooke if you have trouble locating music, or you have questions about what would be beneficial for a particular student.
First Year Students (4th Grade)
Note: All the books for this grade level are appropriate late in the school year, once students have established their ability to read real music.
Essential Elements for Strings: Essential Elements book 1 is a great supplement to what students are learning in the school lessons. Students can work through the Essential Elements series and the Strings Basics series simultaneously and find similar exercises and more songs to perform. List price: $7-8
(Fiddle/Viola/Cello) Time Joggers: This is a new series of easy pieces for violin, viola, or cello. Books include some instruction as well as the music. Includes an accompaniment CD and piano accompaniment book is available. List price: $8.95
First Things First: A beginning level ensemble book. Each part includes music for duets on the same instrument. Add a cello part to a violin or viola part and students can play trios (melody, harmony, bass line). Piano accompaniment book is available. List price: $5.95
String Tunes: This book is great for a beginning student toward the end of their first year of playing. The book does require students to be reading standard notation. A fun accompaniment CD is included. List price: $9.95
Basic Fiddlers Philharmonic: A great collection of classic old-time fiddle tunes. This book has music for the beginner to advanced elementary student. All the parts are included for students to create their own fiddle group band. An accompaniment CD is available. List price: $6.95-$12.95
Second Year Students (5th Grade)
Beautiful Music for Two String Instruments - Vol 1: This book covers both the 4th & 5th grade level material. It's a nice collection of duets, giving both the top and bottom parts melody. Any combination of instruments can be used providing each student has a book for their instrument. List price: $6.95
Christmas Favorites: A nice collection of Christmas and Hanukah tunes with harmony parts in the back. List price: $5.95
Christmas Solos for Beginning Violin/Viola/Cello: Another nice collection of Christmas tunes w/ piano accompaniment List price: $6.95
Fiddlers Philharmonic: A great collection of classic fiddle & bluegrass tunes. This book has music from elementary to advanced middle school level. All the parts are included for students to create their own bluegrass band. List price: $7.95
(Fiddle/Viola/Cello) Time Runners: This is a new series of easy pieces for violin, viola, or cello. The "runners" book is slightly more advanced than the "joggers" book. Includes an accompaniment CD and piano accompaniment book is available.List price: $8.95
First Things First - S'more: Book two of beginning level ensembles. Slightly more advanced pieces than book 1. Each part includes music for duets on the same instrument. Add a cello part to a violin or viola part and students can play trios (melody, harmony, bass line). Piano accompaniment book is available. List price: $5.95
Suzuki Violin/Viola/Cello School - Vol 1: The Suzuki series (while commonly know for the Suzuki method) is a great collection of classical music for the young musician. Each book has music selected specifically for the techniques used on that instrument. List price: $6.95
Advanced Students
Beautiful Music for Two String Instruments - Vol 2:Another nice collection of duets, giving both the top and bottom parts melody. Any combination of instruments can be used providing each student has a book for their instrument. List price: $6.95
Christmas Kaleidoscope & Christmas Kaleidoscope II: A collection of Christmas tunes for the advanced elementary student. Each part includes 3 lines of music, so students can play solos, duets, or trios with friends. Piano accompaniment is available in a separate volume. List price: $5.00 each
Jazz Philharmonic: A great introduction to jazz for string players. The music in this book spans a wide variety of levels, but starts around the advanced 5th grader. List price: $7.95
Sacred Settings: A collection of 24 familiar hymns appropriate for students interested in performing in church. Parts are available for all strings instruments, as well as several band instruments, guitar, and piano. List price: $5.95
Suzuki Violin/Viola/Cello School - Vol 2: Volume 2 of the Suzuki series approaches some longer and more difficult pieces. Each book has music selected specifically for the techniques used on that instrument. List price: $6.95