All students need to bring to every lesson: A notebook to write down any notes and assignments A pocket folder or a 1½" 3-ring binder to hold music Music books, sheet music and/or recordings
Violin/fiddle: - A properly fitted violin/fiddle can be rented in ABQ at: Robertsons & Sons Violins, 3201 Carlisle NE. 889-2999, and in Santa Fe at: The Violin Shop of Santa Fe, 1532 Cerrillos Rd. (across from the Indian school), 982-8908 - Bow, rosin, cleaning cloth, case - Shoulder rest (KUN or Wolf) or inexpensive sponges (usually purple) specifically for the violin are usually best for kids - Extra rubber bands for the foam-sponge shoulder rest (I try to have some too) - Extra set of strings - Suggested books: Violin - Suzuki books for repertoire "I Can Read Music" for note-reading "All for Strings" or "Artistery of Strings" for technique, repertoire and note-reading Fiddle - "The American Fiddle Method" and/or Mel Bay's "Easiest Fiddle Method" for repertoire Same books as violin for note-reading & technique For fiddle, learning "by ear" is fine too - bring blank cassette tapes. *Most of the above books come with a Cd - or you can buy one separately.
Guitar: - A properly fitted guitar can be bought at Marc's Guitars or Pimentel guitars in ABQ - For beginning students, I recommend nylon stings and a classical style guitar - Extra set of strings - Folk guitarists will need several flat picks and a cassette worktape - Suggested books: "A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar" by Charles Duncan with tape or CD and other supplemental books in this series
Voice: - Cassette tape to record vocalises, warm ups and accompaniments - Karaoke CDs/tapes for songs - sheet music - Suggested books: "Sight Singing Made Simple" (with CD) by David Bauguess
Mandolin: - Extra set of strings - Extra flatpicks - Strap