Congratulations, you found your violin! Now for the hard part: finding the right bow. This task can be an even more daunting than finding the instrument itself. With so many options and factors to consider, it can feel overwhelming. Luckily, we are here to help! The best thing you can do is to connect with a knowledgeable salesperson who can guide you through the process, but here are some things to keep in mind before … Read more
Your teacher tells you you’re starting a new piece. You go to buy the sheet music, only to discover there are multiple editions to choose from.
Which edition do you choose?
The easy answer? The one your teacher tells you to buy! They like that edition and want you to get it for a reason. If they don’t have a preferred edition, it’s up to you to decide. While finances sometimes dictates that choice, here … Read more
They may have walked in with some doubts, but they left as budding musicians, ready to begin an amazing journey that may last a lifetime.
That was the feeling in the air at the instrument rental event held at Canton High School in Canton, MA on September 14. Coordinated by the Performing Arts Program, the event matched up students with the stringed instrument of their choice. Johnson String Instrument sales staff were on hand … Read more
It’s back-to-school time! Whether students are in the building or learning remotely this school year, teachers are working hard to make sure their students are getting the best education they can offer. This blog post celebrates some of the most famous pedagogues in the string instrument world throughout history and their influence on today’s music students.
Kreutzer was born in Versaille, France on November 16, 1766. He studied violin with his father, … Read more
Congratulations, you decided to get one of the Yamaha electric violins: the YEV or the SV-200! How do you decide which one is right for you? Let’s take a look at the different instruments:
The newest of Yamaha’s electric violins and a bestseller, this instrument won Best in Show at Winter NAMM in 2016. It’s not hard to see why between it’s Mobius-inspired design and practical features. Created specifically for … Read more
This April, we celebrate the birthdays of two influential Soviet Era composers: Sergei Rachmaninoff (April 1st) and Sergei Prokofiev (April 23rd). Rachmaninoff is known for his soaring, romantic melodies, while Prokofiev’s music is more dissonant and fantastical. Along with Shostakovitch and Stravinsky, they brought international attention to Russian music, often in exile from or direct defiance of the Soviet government. Many other Russian Soviet Era composers made significant musical contributions, yet … Read more
This Women’s History Month, we honor women of the past and present and acknowledge not only their accomplishments but also their struggles and hard work to attain sometimes the barest recognition from society.
The vast sheet music collection of Johnson String Instrument includes music by countless other past and present women composers, all available for purchase.
CHEN YI 陳怡 (b. April 4, 1953) is an award-winning Chinese composer and violinist. As a … Read more
This Women’s History Month, we honor women of the past and present by acknowledging their accomplishments, struggles and hard work to attain sometimes the barest recognition from society. Women composers are particularly absent from the spotlight; however, they have gained increased visibility in recent years. New Hampshire-born Amy Beach is perhaps the most prominent female composer in American history. She enjoyed a fair amount of recognition by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in her lifetime.
Our … Read more
This post is part of a series. Read our previous posts for more information about electric violins, amps and pickups.
Do I need a preamplifier for my electric violin?
Short answer: Yes. A preamplifier, or preamp, is key to getting a great tone out of an electric violin, viola or cello.
Long answer: We need to get technical.
The electric string instruments and pickups we stock at Johnson String Instrument all use variations … Read more
Our annual Holiday Sale is back, and so is our Holiday Gift Guide! This year, we have a mix of exciting new products as well as old favorites for musicians of all levels and ages.
Our brand for electrics, this instrument is a great option for those getting started with electric violin. An outfit comes with the instrument in one of five colors, bow, case and headphones.
Winner of … Read more
It’s time for another installment of Departments of JSI! This is a series that highlights the different people that work within our company. We’re able to run such a large business through the expertise of and collaboration between our different departments. Everyone has a skill that they utilize to accomplish everything from coordinating rental trips to selling instruments to repairing instruments to shipping things on time and safely. This series will help you get to … Read more
It’s that time of year again!
Is your child starting an instrument this school year? Not sure what they need? Whether they are taking lessons through their school or elsewhere, their teacher will have a list of what they require for their students. However, we can also give you a basic list of what your child will need to succeed:
Where are you getting your instrument? For a child just starting lessons, many families choose … Read more
This post is part of our ongoing Electric Instruments series. Check out our previous posts on finding an electric violin, getting started with your new electric instrument, and choosing an amp.
You want to start experimenting with electric violin, but you either don’t want a second instrument or need something budget-friendly. What’s your best option? Electrify your acoustic by installing a pickup! Now for the harder question: which pickup should you choose? … Read more
Are you or one of your students shopping for a new bow? Finding the right bow can be harder than choosing your instrument, but don’t worry! While we can’t match a bow to you like Mr. Ollivander would a wand, our knowledgeable sales staff are the next best thing and our latest video is here to help.
In “Selecting a Bow”, we teamed up with violinist Eric Silberger to show you what to look for … Read more
Instrument insurance is an important part of caring for your instrument. Professionals use it regardless of their genre and music shops have it to protect their inventory. Whether you recently bought an instrument or own one that isn’t already insured, we highly recommend purchasing a policy to help protect your investment.
It’s exactly what it sounds like: an insurance policy with specific coverage for your instrument(s). It usually takes the form of either: