We understand the convenience of the internet has made some online ordering a necessity for many families, especially those who are in remote locations where a violin shop is not right around the corner. We do not have an online store, nor have the capacity to develop an online ordering scenario, as we are a very small (there are three employees!) operation.

That being said, we want our musicians to have access to things we think are neat, or access the correct items for their schools. The following Amazon Associate links are provided as an informative resource for those of you needing to purchase items that we otherwise could not provide in a timely manner. These are items “approved” as being correct, but should not be used as a pricing model for our own in-store inventory. The linked items are not our inventory being sold, though we may carry some of the items listed at our physical location (you are welcome to call for availability or with questions).

Disclaimer: This website uses affiliate links, meaning: at no additional cost to you, we earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only feature products that we believe in and use ourselves.

These are the Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 books. Just a note: Essential Elements for Strings 2000 is the same book, the 2000 was just removed later on. If you happen to find an original “2000” book, it probably has a cd with it vs an online link, and is probably labeled slightly cheaper. They tend to vary widely between 7.99 and 10.99 depending on the year published, and who is selling it, but the material should be nearly identical.

Here are the Orchestra Expressions books required by many of our local schools.

Recommended should rests for violin and viola: this is tricky, so read carefully:

Violins 3/4 size and 4/4 size, and Violas 13” and 14” should purchase the violin 4/4 size.

Violins 1/2 size and Violas 12” should purchase the violin 1/2 size.

The reason is that for this brand, the half size will fit both 12 and 13 inch instruments (violins 1/2 and 3/4, and violas 12 inch and 13 inch). This means you buy one for multiple years (saves money).

The full size (violin 4/4) will fit 13 inch and 14 inch instruments (3/4 and 4/4 violins, 13 and 14 inch violas).

Violas only need to purchase a viola-specific rest when they reach the 15” and bigger violas.

We always recommend the collapsible models for better fit in cases, as well as easier storage if you must carry it in a backpack. (we carry foldable versions in our shop, but I could not find a reliable link for an amazon option for the 1/2 size or viola versions).

I also included the Kun Solo violin rest which fits 1/2 (12 inch) up to 4/4 (14) inch instruments. It is hands down my favorite shoulder rest and the best value vs cost.

Rosin and cleaning cloth.

!!!!!DO NOT GET YELLOW ROSIN FOR YOUR BEGINNER!!!!!!

!!!!!DO NOT GET WAX-TREATED/POLISHING CLOTHS FOR YOUR BOWED ISNTRUMETNS!!!!!

Here’s why: yellow rosin tends to be a very low quality rosin, very low grip, and very “chippy.” It is the free stuff usually packed in low quality “outfits” sent to spice the purchase without being useful. Wax-treated/polishing cloths can leave behind a residue which will ruin your bow, and tend to smear the surface (you can read that as “make it shiny”) vs actually removing the dust and cleaning. Untreated cloth is always preferable, and a square of t-shirt cotton seems to work just fine. We carry cloths for sale in shop, but the linked one below will also work (note the “untreated” descriptor!).