Terms & Helpful Hints

Bows – The Frog is the part of bow you hold. The strands on a bow are called hairs. Sometimes hairs need to be clipped after vigorous playing. In time, the bow hairs will need to be re-strung.

Butter Braids – Deliciousness as the main Orchestra fundraiser. These are frozen pastries sold in October and delivered in November. It’s great fun to watch them thaw and rise before baking.

Concert Attire – For performances, the Music Director will provide a description of appropriate clothing well in advance. Check with students to make sure items are clean, pressed, and fit appropriately. Symphonic students need to wear black slacks, bow tie, socks, belt, and shoes with a white tuxedo shirt over a plain white undershirt. Inexpensive tuxedo shirts can be found at craft stores.

Concert Behavior – The Music Director will explain to students what it means to be a good audience. Students are expected to behave respectfully and appropriately. Students attend the entire concert and sit in a designated area in the audience when they aren’t performing.

Ensembles – Small groups of students work together on a piece, write a composition, and/or perform at a concert or their own venues.

Humidity – String instruments are primarily made of wood, which exchanges moisture with the surrounding air. Heat and moisture were used to carefully form the appropriate shape for the instrument, so try to avoid cold, dry air. Students are sometimes asked to take their instruments into the bathroom when they shower to get a boost of humidity during dry periods.

Music Binder – Students generally need a plain black, three ring binder to hold music. It is important to take care of music and have a pencil handy for notes.

Music Stands – Students generally have one for home use. Affordable wire collapsible versions are most common. They are sometimes hard to carry, so if it doesn’t come with a case some people creatively use various cylinder shaped bags.

Mutes – Small rubber devices that dampen the strings for certain pieces.

Practice Journal – These are the sheets where students track their practice time. Parents may want to brainstorm with other parents on how to motivate their students to keep practicing.

Rock Stop – The round coaster to hold the peg of a cello on the floor so it doesn’t slip. Some have straps to attach to chairs and others are non-slip.

Rosin – Rosin is rubbed on the bow hairs to provide friction and thus sound when the bow is pulled over the violin strings. There are many varieties to try, and musicians sometimes have preferences. When dropped or stepped on, they can shatter.

Shoulder Rest – The piece on a violin or viola that rests on the shoulder. Beginning string musicians may use a sponge. Advanced students can purchase or rent them. Chin rests are part of the viola or violin.

Tuner, Metronome, etc. – The director will give instructions to your student about tuning instruments. Parents have found a variety of tuning tools from forks to clip on electronic tuners (Snark is one brand) and phone apps. Metronome features may be included in some models.