1. • Boss Dr. Beat (DB-90) - Of the metronomes listed here, we recommend this one above all others. It is, bar none, the most useful tool for your young musician. Its most unique and useful feature is that it speaks the beats!
   

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3. • Peterson Body Beat Sync (BBS-1) - This is a metronome with a pulsating attachment which can be used to clip on the strings behind a violin, viola or cello bridge. It is less expensive than the Dr. Beat DB-90 but it has the pulsating feature, whereas the other doesn’t.
   

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5. • Korg KDM-2 - It is loud due to its hollow chamber with a speaker in it. Very nice sounding click as well. Less expensive that the two listed above.

Guitar Center carries the Boss Dr. Beat (DB-90) and the Peterson Body Beat Sync. As always, all three can be found on Amazon.com. Check our Musical Links page for online music sites where you can purchase strings and accessories.

Rosin

Goldflex made by Pirastro is one of our favorites for violin, viola and cello. Even though it has tiny flecks of gold in it, it is not too expensive as rosins go (around $10) and will last for a couple of years. Because the rosin dries out over time, reducing its effectiveness, the Pirastro website (http://www.pirastro.com/homeset.html) recommends replacing after one year but some luthiers have suggested up to two years.

Strings

There are many different kinds of strings and what is best for a particular instrument usually depends on what the instrument “needs”. For example, if your instrument is fairly bright sounding we might recommend using a set of strings which are known to yield a warmer sound, which in turn helps to “mellow out” the instrument. Here are the strings most typically used by our students. We can help you decide what we think will sound best on your instrument.

Violin

    A, D and G strings - Evah Pirazzi made by Pirastro

    All 4 strings - Dominant Perlon made by Thomastik (fine for young violinists due to the soft nature of the string material.)

Viola

    D, G and C strings - Evah Pirazzi made by Pirastro

Cello

    A and D strings - Jargar medium gauge or Larsen Soloist medium gauge.

    G and C strings - Spirocore Tungsten, Silver or Steel made by Thomastik

Acoustic Guitar

A set of Martin or D’Addario. A new technology which has really been catching on is the coated string. Elixir, with a Nanoweb coating helps to preserve the life of the strings, though on some guitars can make the tone sound a bit dull. Trial and error is the only way to know which strings will sound best on your guitar.