Happy holidays from everyone at Johnson String Music and Carriage House Violins!
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Did you know that there is a strong relationship between math and music? Research has indicated that music activates the same area of the brain that is used for solving spatial-temporal reasoning problems. Conversely, understanding various fundamentals of math can help you learn to read and play music. Similarities in how the brain processes the two disciplines creates a beneficial overlap between the two.
Math is helpful when learning music and vice versa, because there … Read more
In 2008, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins burst onto the music scene with her first album – aptly named “19,” her age at the time of recording. The record included hits such as Chasing Pavements, and her sensational talent was quickly recognized by a poll of BBC music critics, earning her a Critics Choice Award that same year. Since then, she has gained international acclaim, including taking home a whopping 15 Grammy Awards in the … Read more
Violins and other stringed instruments need protection from the elements. In the summer, it’s the humidity. In the winter it’s the cold, dry weather. Stringed instruments, just like most humans, prefer a constant temperature of between 60-70 degrees with a relative humidity of 40-60%.
Unfortunately, these conditions are pretty tough to maintain as the temperature turns from pleasantly mild in the fall to downright cold in the winter. And, as the weather changes, so, too, … Read more
In the world of stringed instruments, the viola takes a backseat to the violin and cello when it comes to being the stringed instrument of choice. But we know that the viola is a beautiful and essential part of any string ensemble. Even violinists and cellists have to admit that a symphony or orchestra sounds its most complete when all the stringed instruments play together in perfect harmony.
Remember the George and Ira Gershwin tune … Read more
Jhon Alvarado works at Johnson String Instrument as an Educational Representative in our School Services department. While he’s only been here a short time, Jhon has developed a reputation as someone who is quick to help out when needed.
Learn more about working at Johnson String Instrument.
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Nate Faro, front staff at the Johnson String Instrument retail store, is a favorite with our customers. We chatted with him to find out why he places such a high value on customer commitment, one of our company’s core values.
Learn more about working at Johnson String Instrument.
Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved
Most music teachers recommend that students practice using metronomes because it’s human nature to slow down at the difficult parts when you’re learning to play a piece of music and speed up when you have the phrase down. Metronomes emit a steady ticking sound that can be set for a specific beat per minute (bpm) pace, and help you play with consistent rhythm throughout the entire piece of music. There are a range of speeds … Read more
Outside, the air is getting colder, the days shorter, and the leaves have changed color and fallen off the trees. For many folks, this is a magical time of year, especially with the onset of the holiday season. And there’s nothing that gets you more in the spirit than hearing Christmas carols, Chanukah songs, and other seasonal music. If you’re a string musician, why not take the opportunity to learn to play them yourself on … Read more
If you are like a lot of people who took music lessons as a child, you probably stopped playing when you approached adulthood. Perhaps you found other things that grabbed your interest, went off to college and were busy with classes, immersed yourself in a career, got married and had children; in other words, “life” just seemed to get in the way.
If you have decided to return to music after years of not playing … Read more
Roger Johnson, co-founder of Johnson String Instrument, died on Wednesday, November 10, 2021. He was 84 years old.
Born in 1937 in rural Hillsboro, Ohio, Roger Johnson was the youngest of ten children in a farming family. Roger’s passion for music and the building of stringed instruments began at the age of 11, when he built a guitar that won first prize at the Ohio State Fair.
After completing his bachelor’s degree at … Read more
Have you recently decided to enroll in violin lessons? If so, congratulations on your decision. Learning to play an instrument provides a unique source of joy, accomplishment and entertainment that isn’t achieved through any other pursuit. Another benefit over other pastimes like sports is that you can start learning at any age and keep it up throughout your lifetime. You are never too old or too young to get enjoyment out of playing music.
For … Read more
If you have been playing cello for years, it may be time to think about a new instrument. Cellos come in beginning, intermediate and advanced models, and it’s appropriate for new music students to begin with the easiest model. As you become increasingly adept, you will eventually reach a point where continuing to play the same cello will limit your progression. It’s at this point that upgrading to your next great cello with rich deep … Read more
Buying a cello online greatly expands the selection from which to choose, and allows you to purchase the precise instrument you want at a competitive price. Shopping online makes it possible to search music shops all over the country, rather than being limited by your location. Before you make a purchase, however, it’s best to visit a good violin or string store, in person, and test out different cellos. Take your time investigating each option … Read more
When you’re first learning to play the violin, mastering finger coordination can prove to be difficult, but not impossible. However, for many violinists, it’s a challenge to increase the strength as well as the agility of the pinky or fourth finger of the left hand. This is especially true for violinists with small hands.
Your pinky is not only the shortest finger on your left hand, but it’s also relatively weak in comparison to the … Read more