Beginning Student Materials: 
  • Violin, (With case & bow & rosin) - see below or visit Sharmusic.com.  (
  • Students in our Twinkle class begin on "practice violins"  - click here for the instructions on how to make your own! 
  • Shoulder Rest - there are many types. We recommend these for beginners: 
  • finger tapes - "First Frets Position Indicator" in the correct size for your instrument.
    These are required for all beginning students in group classes, unless specifically instructed differently by your teacher.  Students in private lessons should discuss options with their instructor. 
  • tuning app on a smartphone - see below for recommendations
  • 3-ring binder (plus optional tab dividers / tape / post it notes to keep music organized) 
  • small stickers for bow placement- have ready at first lesson. 
  • pencil with a good eraser 
  • ability to print music & instructions. 
  • Optional:
    • music stand - you will need this eventually! See below for recommendations 
    • "bow hold buddy"  frog - bow hand teaching aid - great for young beginners. 

Online Violin Rentals, Rent-to-Own & Purchases

Choosing an instrument is among the first steps in a child's musical journey. Instruments vary in size and quality and selecting the right one will make the learning experience easier for both teacher and student. 

​Here is a list of resources that offer a variety of violin renting or owning options. Our program instructors are more than happy to help guide you in this process.  

Rent or Purchase Online

SharMusic.com  is a trusted supplier of string family instruments, bows, sheet music, cases, strings and accessories, and a favorite with our MusicLIVE teachers. 

Click here to see their selection of beginning level violins to purchase, ranging from $170 - $389 including the case & bow. For beginners, we have also good results with the Shar Standard violin outfit, (violin, bow, case, rosin) which rents for $17.99 per month. They have a very good rent-to-own program where you can accumulate equity as you pay, and trade up sizes as needed. 

Rent  or Purchase Locally

Kline Music:  SacIMA's preferred music store in the Sacramento region. Let them know you are our student! They have a large selection of sheet music and accessories.  Located at 2200 Sutterville Rd. in Sacramento, near City College. 

Local Luthiers 
Stephen Lohmann - quality work by an skilled craftsman.  Ingrid trusts her violin to Stephen! 
Sacramento Violins: Sales, repair & accessories. 

Additional Accesories 
Music Stands:  Every musician will eventually need a music stand! Solid desk stands are best. 
  • Manhasset stands are the industry standard. Pros: they hold a ton of music, are very sturdy, and will last forever. Every musician should have one eventually as their main music stand.    Cons: exensive, don't travel well. 
  •  Peak music stands are also great as they are solid but lightweight and travel very well.  Every musician needs a travel stand, and this one can serve double duty as a main 

Tuners & Metronomes  There are smartphone apps work really well, as long as the student has access to them whenever needed. There's nothing like the old-school version though to get the job done! 
  • Tonal Energy - Ms. Ingrid's favorite, because it tunes in perferct 5ths and has a great metronome.  And a happy face when you're in tune!  
  • Epic Tune - a good free app for tuning only
  • Seiko Quartz Metronome - no fuss, old school & distraction free.   Every musician should have one!