Must-Have Accessories

After playing violin for nearly 2 decades, I’ve come to appreciate how crucial the right tools are. Here are the tools I recommend, and the ones I’d avoid. (Disclaimer: I am not promoting any specific shop or website -- rather, the products themselves.)

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ALL STRINGS

1. Music Stand: Manhasset (Expensive – but it’s worth it!)

2. Rosin: D'Addario Kaplan Premium

3. Cleaning Cloths: 15 Pack Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

UPPER STRINGS

1. Sponge: Foam Shoulder Rest  (some shops provide these free, if renting a violin/viola)

2. Chin Rest: SAS Original Model (This thing is LIFE. CHANGING. Make sure to measure for fitting before buying.)

3. Gel Rest: Gelrest Chinrest Solution

VIOLIN

1. Instrument Protector: Violin C-Clip Protector

2. Concert Mute: Violin Mute

3. Practice Mute: Practice Mute

4. Recommended Strings: Non-Whistling E, Obligato, Evah Gold

VIOLA

1. Concert Mute: Viola Mute

2. Practice Mute: Practice Mute

3. Strings: Vision, Helicore

CELLO

1. Chair Strap: Cello Endpin Strap

2. Concert Mute: Cello Mute

3. Practice Mute: Practice Mute

4. Adjustable Bench: Adjustable Padded Bench

5. Strings: Prelude, Helicore, Evah Green 

Accessories to AVOID

1. Red Label strings (cheap price = cheap sound)

2. Thomastik Peter Infeld strings (in my opinion, bad quality for the price)

3. Instruments and bows purchased through Amazon (it's risky to order from E-Bay or other online retailers, too.)

4. Shoulder rests (they cause more harm than good... I'll make another post dedicated to explaining that.)