4 Strings Studio

Private Violin Lessons

Teaching all ages for over twenty years

Emmanuelle Scully

(310) 351-1332 Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village

I was just five when my parents suggested I learn to play the violin, and I loved it from the start. I began taking lessons right away, and remember being especially drawn to one record of the Mendelssohn violin concerto. It's a very expressive piece that shows how you can make a violin "sing," and I knew that's what I wanted to do.

I decided to make a career of it and studied violin at the Brabants Conservatory in The Netherlands, the country where I grew up. Along the way, I played in various regional symphony and chamber orchestras, and with friends started the Luna String Quartet in the late 1990's. We performed in numerous concerts and chamber music festivals throughout the country, and participated in master classes with members of the Vermeer, Orlando, and Borodin string quartets - the latter at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

Since moving to the United States after meeting my husband, I played in orchestras and chamber groups including the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in Northern Virginia, the Washington Metropolitan Orchestra, and the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra.

I started teaching while in college and have taught students of all ages and levels for 20 years. I enjoy helping my students to develop their own talents, find their own sound, and discover the excitement of making music.

These days, I divide my time between teaching and raising my three-year-old twin boys.

I offer weekly private lessons in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

Lesson time and fee:
35 min $32.50
60 min $55.00
1st lesson is free.

Monthly payments are made before the second lesson of the month.
Payments can be made by cash or check.

Cancellation Policy

Make-up lessons will considered if notice of a cancellation is given 24 hours in advance, allowing time to reschedule. Lessons cancelled without prior notice are forfeited.

Teaching Style

I teach the violin in a traditional style, while also incorporating different styles to suit the needs and preferences of each student.

I follow a creative approach for the very young, to ease them into rhythm and note reading in a fun and comprehensive way. For students playing in string orchestras in the public schools, I incorporate the orchestra pieces into the lessons as needed.

Practice time

Each player has his or her own goals and aspirations, and I adjust my teaching style accordingly. However, practice is crucial at every level, and every student should commit to practicing regularly in between lessons. I encourage my students to practice at least five days a week, with daily practice times depending on age, level, and goals.

I explain at the end of every lesson how and what to practice, so that practice time is put to the best and most enjoyable use. For children, I also offer little incentives to keep good practice habits.

Recitals

Recitals are held twice a year -- in December and at the close of the school year.
Participation is encouraged but not required.

String Ensemble

Playing with others is one of the great experience for any musician. Ensemble playing also speeds up the learning process, and I give all my students the chance to join in. In the near future I will be forming ensembles both for beginners and more advanced players. Please let me know if you are interested in signing up.

What you will need next to your instrument:

Rosin:

Rosin is a resin that is collected from different types of pine trees. It's needed to keep the bow from slipping of the strings. We use it regularly according to how much we play. After it's collected from a tree, special formula's are created and the mixture is heated and strained. The mixture then is put in a molds and becomes smooth and hardened, and fitted in a little box.

Shoulder rest:

Shoulder rests come in various shapes and sizes. Make sure you choose the one that fits the size of the violin. I usually recommend buying a "Kun" which tends to be on the more pricier side, it's very durable and light, but find that the Artino brand works well too if you want to spend less. I personally use a straight "Wolf" shoulder rest, which is also very durable, you can bend it slightly to fit or "mold" to your shoulder. The legs are able to be set on a higher position, which is helpful for people with long necks.

For younger kids, I usually recommend starting out with a foam pad that you can buy in most music stores, since there necks are shorter and just need light padding under the violin so that it keeps it from slipping and makes it more comfortable.

Cleaning cloth:

I recommend using two cloths for cleaning the instrument. One to use only for wiping the rosin of the strings after playing, and one to wipe of the lighter residue on the wood of the instrument itself.

The "string Cloth" will be obviously adhere more rosin and will need to be cleaned more often. Use the other cloth to clean the rest of the instrument. If you use them often, you keep your violin free from sticky spots that come from the rosin and keep finger prints off the instrument.

Many violin cases come with a special cover that you put over the instrument, but cheaper models or many student violins don't always have these. It keeps the violin safe from scratches and insulates it at the same time. You can look for one in a music store or find a cotton or flannel cloth big enough to cover the violin when put back in the case. Sometimes you can find flannel bags with drawstring, in which you put in the violin. It's easy in use, and easy to make too.

Music Stand:

A very important thing to get right when you start taking lessons is a music stand. In order to keep good posture which is crucial to play well, It will not work to put your music on a table or chair. Music stands come in different shapes and styles. A folding stand is always a good and inexpensive choice. Make sure it has sturdy feet, so it doesn't easily fall.

Strings:

There are many types and quality of strings. You can buy them separately or as a set. They will need to be replaced from time to time depending of how much you play and what your level is. In general every 6 months would be a good rule of thumb. Strings can brake. Usually the store that rents out your instrument will change them or you can do it yourself, but I would recommend first watching someone who is knowledgable doing it. When you become a better player, you will notice the difference in string types and brands. The only way to find out what works for your specific instrument combined with the style you play and the string you choose, is to try out a few.

Tuner:

If you are a beginner, a digital tuner would be helpful. Look in your local music store for a tuner. The Korg brand is a good and easy one to use. As you become more advanced you will learn how to tune your instrument by ear by listening to an A of a piano or tuning fork and tuning the other strings accordingly. (The violin strings are tuned in a perfect fifth, you will learn to recognize it after a while)

Metronome:

When you get more advanced, a metronome is going to be crucial to perfect your timing. An electronic metronome also often has an "A" on it for tuning the instrument.

Care for the the instrument:

Keep the instrument and bow always in it's case, to avoid any accidents.

Find a good spot to keep your instrument secure, away from heat, or extreme cold such as air conditioner or direct sun light.

Never leave your instrument in the car. Insurance does not cover for theft of an instrument if left there. Outside temperatures can also do much harm if left in the car.

Always unwind the bow after playing, just turn the screw a few times so that the hair loosens just a bit. When tightening the bow again, make sure the bow keeps it's arch in the middle. If the bow is completely strait, you wound it up to tight.

When do I know my child is ready?

Often parents with young children aren't sure if the time is right to start with the violin. In general I start teaching children from the age of five. This doesn't mean that every five-year-old is ready for violin lessons, but if the child is showing particular interest in the instrument or in music in general, this is a good sign. My approach to the very young is a playful one, teaching them different rhythm patterns and note reading in an age-appropriate way. I try to balance out the difficulties of learning the instrument with enjoyment and encouragement. In this way, young students enjoy the entire process of learning and playing music.

As an adult, am I too old to learn the violin?

Learning an instrument is like most any other skill -- it can be learned at any age. It's true that children are more flexible and have time as an advantage over adults, but adult beginners have advantages of their own. And many adult students have told me over the years that they find learning and practicing their instrument a great stress reliever from everyday life.

Adult students are better able to grasp the technical aspects of learning, and often surprise themselves with how much they can learn. The important thing is to give yourself time to learn and have realistic expectation. Among my own students -- including one woman who had played as a young girl and began lessons with me at age eighty -- I've seen how much can be accomplished by adult students.

Adults also benefit enormously from ensemble playing. They learn right along side men and woman who are learning at a similar age and level. It's great fun learning and achieving as a group, and it really makes a difference in developing your own skills.

My child does not always want to practice --
is this a sign she should stop taking lessons?

Every child will sometimes not want to practice -- I try to be as specific as possible as to how to practice so that the child does not feel overwhelmed. The key is for each child to have a clear plan and a sense of direction.

Sometimes a timer will help to set a beginning and an end to practice sessions at home. It also helps to have a set place where the child practices, so that being there seems part of a daily routine.

I find that students are practicing more when they enjoy the music I assign them,
when practice sessions are focused and structured, and when they see the results
in better playing.

For more Information about the violin and music learning in general,
visit these websites:

Musicians Boulevard
2511 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA. 91362
(location) 805-497-7725
(cell) 310 351-1332
email: info@4stringsstudio.com

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