BAM Cases – The Market Leader

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Simply for Strings Blogger

When you ask most string musicians which case they use, the resounding response is BAM. Even those that don’t have one seem to either want one of find reason to like them.

BAM continue to lead the market when it comes to innovation, design and most of all, instrument protection. Personally I won’t trust my viola to travel in anything else.

Simply for Strings is one of Australia’s major string retailers and stocks a large range of the BAM cases for violin, viola and cello.

SHOP BAM ONLINE (current prices and availability).

For more information on BAM cases you can visit our website or the BAM Cases website.

by Toby Cumpstay

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Find us on Pinterest

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Simply for Strings Blogger

You can now follow Simply for Strings on Pinterest. See what we’re into and share you favourite images, too!

Happy Pinning!

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Need Help Over the Holidays?

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Simply for Strings Blogger

VIOLIN TECHNICAL WORK BOOTCAMP IS HERE!

Violin teachers and students; here is an opportunity for all violinists to practise and improve your technical work weekly at your favorite violin shop, Simply for Strings, under the guidance of experienced performer and teacher Ben Greaves (from Collusion & Musica Viva In Schools).

5 classes held over 5 weeks: only $100.00
Individual classes $25 each
Teachers of attending students: FREE

Please gain permission from your teacher before enrolling and let your teacher know they are most welcome to observe for FREE.

REGISTER NOW!

Click here to register for this amazing opportunity or download the registration form. Numbers are limited, so register today.

WANT MORE INFO?

Click here to download our flyer. Great to put up in the classroom, studio or distribute to parents.

 

Preliminary and Grade 1 sessions.
Mondays: Dec 12, 19, Jan 2, 9, 16. 8-9am.
Classes will explore all requirements of the Preliminary and grade 1 technical syllabuses with students. Revision or extension will feature in these classes.

Grade 2 and  Grade 3 sessions.
Tuesdays: Dec 13, 20, Jan 3, 10, 17. 8-9am.
Classes will explore all requirements of grade 2 and 3 technical syllabuses with students. Revision or extension will feature in these classes.

Grade 4 and Grade 5 sessions.
Wednesdays 8am-9am; Dec 14, 21, Jan 4, 11, 18.
Classes will explore all requirements of the grade 4 and 5 technical syllabuses with students. Revision or extension will feature in these classes.

Grade 6 and Grade 7 sessions
Thursdays 8am – 9am Dec 15, 22, Jan 5, 12, 19.
Classes will explore all requirements of the grade 6 and 7 technical syllabuses with students. Revision or extension will feature in these classes.

Grade 8 sessions
Fridays 8am – 9am Dec 16, 23, Jan 6, 13, 20.
Classes will explore all requirements of the grade 8 technical syllabus with students. AMUSA, LMUSA, and Tertiary students are most welcome to attend to revise their technical skills.

TERTIARY/TEACHER sessions
Saturdays 8am-9am; Dec 17, 24, Jan 7, 14, 21.
Classes will explore advanced technical exercises, scales and double stops in all keys up to 4 octaves. Scales in one position will also feature.

Please gain permission from your teacher before enrolling and let your teacher know they are most welcome to observe.

 

WHY? The idea behind Benjamin facilitating the Violin Bootcamp is to not attract students to his own studio, but to support Brisbane teachers in their quest to produce well rounded violinists with good technical ability, allowing them to have more fun, play challenging repertoire and to be able to achieve their desired exam results without the last minute stress of learning technical work. After all, if students have to learn such work, it may as well be done in good time and made beneficial for the ease of learning repertoire.

Benjamin’s students have been accepted to tertiary institutions majoring in Violin. They have been selected for National Music Camps, National Young Symphonists, Queensland Youth Orchestras, and have been awarded AMEB diplomas.

He has taught at major private schools within Brisbane. He is a performer for Collusion, Musica Viva, has been a casual for the Qld Symphony Orchestra, Camerata of St John’s and has freelanced at many Chamber Music festivals throughout Qld and NSW. In 2012 he will be a resident musician with Collusion at the Brisbane Powerhouse Restrung Festival and at Ipswich Girls Grammar School with the Lapraik Ensemble.

He is also a presenter for Musica Viva In Schools, performing for primary aged students through-out Qld. He will tour to the ACT, Tasmania and central Qld in 2012. Benjamin is also available for technical work consultation lessons throughout the Christmas holidays with permission from students regular violin teachers.

For more information regarding this innovative and rewarding program please call Ben on 0404 646 709.  To enroll now fill out the attached enrollment form (due by post Dec 9). For easy online registration go to www.stringsathand.com.au

Benjamin Greaves is a holder of a Blue Card, registered for teaching children in Queensland.

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Audition Notices

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Simply for Strings Blogger

Australian Chamber Orchestra

-Assistant Principal Violin

See http://www.aco.com.au/Default.aspx?url=/joining-the-aco for more information

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

-Concert Master
-Co-Principal Cellist
-Tutti 1st Violin
-Assistant Principal Viola
-Tutti Viola

See http://www.sydneysymphony.com/about_us/jobs/orchestral_jobs/ for more information

 

Queensland Symphony Orchestra

-Associate Principal Viola
-Tutti Viola

Position is only open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.
Auditions to be held on Wednesday 1 February and Thursday 2 February 2012. Applicants are required to be available for the whole of both dates. An accompanist will be provided on both days if required.

See http://qso.com.au/employment for more information

 

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

-Section Viola

Audition dates:
Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 April 2011
Candidates must be available for both whole days

See http://www.mso.com.au for more information

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Simply for Strings Launches Specialised Back to School Online Store

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Simply for Strings Blogger

Making Back to School Simple

To our teachers…

Simply for Strings is offering a new back to school service for you and your busy string parents. Previously we have supplied schools with a customised back to school order form which have been very successful and efficient. This year we are offering the same customised ordering forms as well as a NEW and convenient online option.

backtoschool.simplyforstrings.com.au is a dedicated online store where parents can select their school, their child’s instrument and shop for the personalised products they need – selected by you. All orders will be delivered the chosen school, child’s name clearly marked and ready for Term 1, 2012.

Log on now and customise this service for your school string program. Simply fill in this online form with your particulars and we’ll do the rest: simplyforstrings.com.au/myschool

Why use this service?

  • The online shopping revolution is well and truly upon us and what better way to make sure your students are ready to go with everything they need and nothing they don’t.
  • Parents will love the ease and convenience of this service and you won’t be chasing students for the right books all year.
  • Order are sent freight free.
  • All student’s will receive a complimentary Simply for Strings music tote bag as part of our back to school service.
  • Simplifying your string program.
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Wittner FineTune Pegs Make Their Mark

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Simply for Strings Blogger

Stradivari violin gets pegged with new technology.

You may have seen or heard of the Academy-award winning film, The Red Violin.  It is said to have been inspired by the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius of 1720.

This very instrument set a world record price at Christie’s of London in 1990.  It was quietly gifted to the 16 year old American concert violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn by her grandfather.  Today, Ms. Pitcairn performs in partnership with the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius in the finest concert halls of the world.

Even on the finest instruments, artists such as Ms. Pitcairn have historically struggled with pegs that slip or stick during crucial moments in performance. Pegs that are difficult to turn can also exacerbate the wrist and arm strain that eventually plagues many professional musicians. Orchestra musicians are under pressure to get their instruments in tune for both concerts and rehearsals in the short amount of time allotted.

With these concerns in mind, Ms. Pitcairn eventually spoke to the master luthier who cares for her instrument. He recommended the Wittner Finetune-Pegs. Here is what she had to say about her experience.

November 1, 2010

Dear Mr. Wittner,

I am delighted by the opportunity to express to you and your company how incredibly pleased I am with your product.

Robert Cauer of Los Angeles, a longtime caretaker of my instrument, has installed them so far on my three violins – the 1720 Stradivarius, the Pressenda and the violin which I practice on during vacations in extreme humidity in places like the Caribbean and dry climates such as the mountains of Colorado.

This has solved my problems with pegs sticking and slipping which plagued me!
I also feel that your pegs are saving my arm from strain and the onset of physical problems caused by wrestling with sticking or slipping pegs.
It is so delightfully easy to tune my violin onstage before performing a major concerto with orchestra.
I am a huge fan and am spreading the word about this wonderful product wherever I go just because I like them so much.

Thank you for making them.

Very best,
Elizabeth

More about the pegs…

The Wittner Fine Tune pegs retain the traditional hardwood appearance demanded by professional musicians while offering a unique internal gearing system that makes them a revelation to use.

When fitted into the peg box, the shaft remains locked and stationary while the only parts that move are the button and the geared middle section of the shaft. Fine Tune pegs have an internal gear ratio of 8.5:1 for very precise tuning. The gear mechanism is also self-inhibiting, meaning that it cannot slip back once it is turned.

The taper on the violin pegs is 1:30 so that they will fit into the peg box as any traditional peg would.

As the peg shaft on the Fine Tune pegs doesn’t move once fitted, there is no wear on the peg box that is found using traditional pegs. There is also no risk of a split peg box because no inward pressure is exerted on the peg box during the tuning of the instrument.

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