Q: How long do I have to study violin before I can perform pieces in a comfortable and natural way?
A: Students with talent and who work diligently every day can learn how to play simple pieces within two to three months. The more challenging repertoire for the violin requires serious study of many years or even decades!
Q: What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle?
A: I have had people ask me this question many times. The answer is that it's the style of playing that usually what gives a name to the instrument. Bluegrass music is usually played by a "fiddler" on a fiddle where as a classical work, such as a Bach Minuet, would be played on a violin by a "violinist". The only cosmetic difference between a violin and a fiddle might be the structure of its bridge. The bridge on a fiddle is usually filed or sanded flatter than a bridge on a violin. Less arc in the bridge allows the fiddler to jump across the strings and play multiple notes at the same time (primarily double stops) with much more ease.
Q: When did you start learning the violin?
A: I started taking violin lessons when I was three years and eleven months old. It is possible to start this young, but I usually suggest to parents that taking piano lessons for a year prior to lessons is a wise idea. Study of the piano allows students to gain a sense of pitch because the consistency of the pitches(notes) stay the same. The piano is also a much easier instrument to learn. Violin is definitely fun, but it has many more challenges that can discourage children that are too young.
Q: What is an appropriate age for children to begin learning the violin?
A: After working with many children and gaining wisdom and insight from other pedagogues, I feel that children 6 years of age have the mental and physical capacities to start studying the violin in a healthy manor. Of course there are exceptions, and it's best to research the program of study for very young children.
Q: Do you teach adults as well as children?
A: Yes of course!
Q: What is the Suzuki method? Do you teach this method?
A: The Suzuki method is a type of structured pedagogy as well as a philosophy. The general idea of the Suzuki method is that music can be learned like a language for children. Repetition, memorization techniques, listening skills, and parent involvement are essential core values of Suzuki training. The method is used all over the world and has been adapted for many instruments. I started violin lessons with the Suzuki method. I use the Suzuki repertoire books for my students, but I teach a more traditional style of violin pedagogy. I love the Suzuki method, but I have found that many Suzuki teachers neglect very important technical right and left hand principles that must be set in the beginning of the student's development. I have seen Suzuki teachers in general put more of an emphasis on memorizing pieces and performance resulting in students with great abilities to play by ear, but lacking fundamental violin techniques. Creativity in musicality and healthy technique will mature in a student when the instructor supplements a good variety of music listening, theory, and practice techniques. To find out more about the Suzuki method, please visit their website: http://suzukiassociation.org/
Q: How much does a violin cost?
A: Violins vary in price. An affordable student instrument with a bow and case can usually be purchased for three to five hundred dollars. Fortunately, most violin shops have a rent to buy program. Payments are usually $15-$30 dollars a month for a violin, bow and case. Violin prices can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars! Please do not purchase instruments from EBAY or Craigslist. Most of the "deals" that you see on the Internet are scams to get you to buy a piece of junk that wont be worth fixing at the violin shop! Dont do it! It is best to have a string teacher go with you to purchase an instrument.
Q: What are your rates for lessons?
A: Lesson rates are available upon request. All lessons are paid for at the beginning of the month with a monthly commitment.
Q: Is it true that you teach guitar lessons as well?
A: Yes
Q: Where is the most interesting place that you've ever performed?
A: When I was eighteen years old, I had the chance to tour in a pop band for three weeks in Turkey. We had an amazing time performing pop music for the Turkish people.
Q: What's the most people you've ever played for?
A: One summer, I attended a summer festival which took place in Los Angeles. While I was there, I got hired to play in a string section for Diana Krall. We performed for over ten thousand people at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA. It was a magical performance and experience.
Q: Do you perform regularly?
A: Yes, I play in two different bands. "You Might Think We're Sharks" is a group in which I sing, play guitar, plays drums, and play the electric violin. "Fulton Read" is a group in which I sing backup vocals and play electric violin. I also perform with civic symphonies occasionally and in string quartets for weddings.
Q: Do you compose your own music?
A: Yes. You can listen to some of my music on my myspace page: www.myspace.com/joshuaello