So you’ve got your violin/viola. Got your case, music stand, got a teacher, books etc. What about your tree sap?
The what now? Yeah, your lump of tree sap to rub over the bow? Otherwise known as rosin. Yes, it seems an odd accoutrement to a musical instrument but it is essential if you want to make your violin sing and sound beautiful. In fact, without rosin it won’t make much of a sound at all, and it is vital to have good rosin and know how and when to apply it.
First, let’s understand what rosin is and what it does and then you will grasp why it is so important.
Rosin starts as resin, a sticky and viscous substance from trees that is not unlike sap but harder. Rosin is resin in its solid state, produced by heating and mixing a carefully selected blend of ingredients and allowing them to set.
Think of rosin as a bit like an adhesive that helps your bow stay in contact with the strings. When a rosined bow is drawn across strings, the stickiness creates enough friction to create a grip on the string, pulling it further away from its resting position until it snaps back into place (vibration) only to be pulled once again thanks to the continuous bowing motion.
You don’t, however, need to apply it every time you play. A single application should be enough for several hours playing time.
Applying rosin for the first time
Applying rosin to your brand spanking new bow for the first time, you might see a lot of rosin dust go over your violin when you first start to play. Not a problem. You can simply wipe it off with a soft cloth after you’re finished applying.
Next you need to just play the violin for a little while to work the rosin into the bow hair. Once you’ve done this, apply a little bit more (perhaps three to six passes up and down the bow) and play a bit more. If you do it right, you’ll have a new bow that plays without creating excessive rosin dust.
So how do you know when to apply more rosin?
When you get to the point where you have to put more force on the bow than you normally do to get the same sound, then it is time to apply more rosin.
After the initial application you’ll probably only need to go up and down the bow three or four times to get the correct amount.
Which rosin is best to use?
You will not be surprised to learn that Hidersine offers a complete range of rosins for violins, violas, cellos and double-basses. There are varying sizes, from the smallest Junior models to the larger deluxe cakes such as 1V, 1C, 6V and 6C. Plus, in 2021 the Hidersine Reserve21 rosins were launched. These revolutionary rosins produce very little dust, and their unique formulation offers an excellent grip profile whether for Violin or Cello.
Rosins labelled as 'Light' are generally a little harder in their consistency, and those labelled 'Dark rosin' are a little softer. In broad terms, a lighter rosin will perform better in warmer environments and the darker rosins will perform better in colder envronments. However, it's all about finding the perfect partner for your personal playing style, strings and local climate. You will also find that rosins designed for cello or bass will naturally be a little softer than those designed for violin or viola. This is because the diameter of the larger strings require a differing level of grip and slip.
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Our world famous Hidersine rosin is made in the UK from a carefully selected blend of waxes and resins. We still use the same hand-pouring manufacturing processes and many of the recipes that were first developed by Francis Hider, almost 100 years ago. In doing so, we maintain a handmade, authentic and artisan connection to our product and to the musicians who use it.
The one thing that will improve your violin playing above any other is of course… practice. Practice, practice and more practice. All the gear and no idea is where you will be without it.
You thought it was going to be the bow didn’t you? Be honest. We’ll get to that. But no, it really is practice. Assuming you are already doing that, however, having the correct set up will make your hard working, diligent approach, sound even better.
If you’ve been reading the other parts of this blog, you will know that we have covered all aspects of taking your first steps on the way to the Albert Hall from the right instrument sizing to the right rosin. And the correct bow is of course, just as important. Once again, there is no single right answer to the question of what is the best bow to buy, it isn’t necessarily the most expensive by any means, it’s about what is right for you.
Let’s start with a few basic facts about violin bows. Firstly, there are three fundamental materials used in bow sticks - brazilwood, pernambuco, and carbon fibre. Brazilwood is a generic name for several kinds of tropical hardwoods used for inexpensive bows. Unsurprisingly it comes from Brazil as well as other tropical countries. These bows are normally priced between about £25 and up and are suitable for beginners or early intermediate players.
You will also come across Pernambuco, which has been the wood of choice for the best and more expensive bows. It’s a dense, heavy wood that comes, again, from Brazil and boasts just the right combination of strength, elasticity, and responsiveness. Also, within the last 20 years, carbon-fibre bows have become popular, in part because of the shortage of pernambuco and other woods.
Carbon-fibre bows possess many of the qualities of pernambuco plus added durability (they are less likely to warp and less sensitive to climate).
Our Hidersine range includes all materials (round and octagonal) with full-sized brazilwood bows from £24.65, pernambuco models starting below £100 and carbon fibre at £54.
How do you know if you should upgrade your bow?
Well, if you have reached a comfortable level with your playing but you want to improve your sound somewhat, then a better bow might help. The best way to find out is to visit your local violin store and try out a few different bows to see how they sound and, just as importantly, how they feel when you play with them. Although you might not hear any immediately appreciable difference in the sound, if the bow feels better in your hand and maybe allows more variation in your playing technique, that can be just as important.
For any Harry Potter fans out there, think of a bow as your wand. You will know that it’s right for you in terms of feel, weight and balance as soon as you begin to play with it. And of course, just as violins come in a variety of sizes, so do bows, so make sure you get one to match the size of your violin. No point trying to play a full-sized 4/4 violin with a 1/2 bow.
What should you look for in the sound?
As a rule of thumb, a more supple bow will have a smoother, fuller sound. Too soft, and the sound may lack clarity. A stiffer, stronger bow such as a carbon fibre model, will give a brighter, more focused sound. Octagonal bows are also, generally speaking, stiffer than round bows.
Balance is probably more important than weight when it comes to making your selection but, ultimately, if it feels good to you then it is probably the right bow. It should feel balanced in the hand at a 45-degree angle from tip to frog.
You won’t be surprised to learn that there isn’t a one-size fits-all solution when it comes to cellos. As with violins and violas you need the right sized cello for your age, shape and height.
Cellos are measured by the length of the back, from the full-sized cello of 30 inches or more intended for adults more than five feet tall, to 1/8 cellos designed for children between four and six years old. Just to add a little more variation into the mix be aware that different manufacturers make cello sizes at slightly different lengths, but they will fall within a few inches of each other. The important thing is comfort and practicality.
If you are between two different sizes, you’ll likely be more comfortable with the smaller instrument. The best way to find out what works is to visit a music store to try one out, but as a rule of thumb take note of the following different ways to measure cello sizes.
| CELLO SIZE | AGE RANGE |
| 1/8 | 4-6 years |
| 1/4 | 5-7 years |
| 1/2 | 7-11 years |
| 3/4 | 11-15 years |
| 4/4 | 15 and above |
| CELLO SIZE | HEIGHT |
| 1/8 - 1/4 | Below 4 feet |
| 1/2 | 4 - 4 1/2 feet |
| 3/4 | 4 1/2 - 5 feet |
| 4/4 | 5 feet and above |
| CELLO SIZE | BACK LENGTH |
| 1/8 | 17.75 - 20 inches |
| 1/4 | 20 -23 inches |
| 1/2 | 23 - 26 inches |
| 3/4 | 26 - 27.25 inches |
| 7/8 | 27.25 - 30 inches |
| 4/4 | 30 inches and above |
To try your cello for size (once you have worked out the size using those handy charts) find a chair and sit up straight (make sure your feet are touching the floor), set the endpin of the cello to around 12 inches in length. Let the cello rest against your chest at about a 45-degree angle. The top of it must rest at the centre of the chest, and the C string peg must be near the left ear.
Hidersine’s range includes the Vivente Academy Cello, available in Full size, 3/4 size and 1/2 size.
Supplied with a padded gigbag/carry case with bow holder and accessory pockets it also comes with a Brazilwood, Half-mounted bow and Hidersine Rosin block. All for around £750, which is about mid-price for a cello but still a sizeable outlay for a beginner. If you skimp on quality too much, however, you will be buying an inferior instrument that will not enhance your playing and may in fact make it sound a whole lot worse. Beginners need every encouragement when starting out so a good quality instrument that plays well and sounds good is essential.
The cello itself is ready to play and has a Solid Spruce Table, Solid Maple back and ribs with graphic flame, Carved Maple Neck, Genuine Ebony fingerboard, Maple Bridge, Wittner FineTune geared pegs, Wittner Ultra lightweight tailpiece with integral adjusters, Carbon Fibre endpin and Steel Strings.
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Play violin or viola? We have guides for you too.
What size violin do i need? READ
What size viola do i need? READ
When someone asks ‘can I teach myself violin?’ what they’re really asking is, ‘do I really need to have proper lessons with a proper teacher, paying proper money?’.
It’s totally understandable to ask that. After all, lessons can be expensive and there’s no doubt that it has also never been easier to find all sorts of information online for free that can tell you what you need to know from basic music theory to video lessons that will pretty much cover all levels.
So why then would you need a violin teacher at all?
Much depends on your reasons for learning the violin in the first place. If you want to progress to any sort of serious level (to join a local orchestra for instance) with your instrument - any instrument for that matter - then it is certainly hugely beneficial to undertake a structured curriculum (such as ABRSM and many others offer) with a recognised musical qualification at the end of each grade or level. Those bits of paper will make it much easier to be thought of as a serious musician.
Again, you can easily acquire the grade books and work through them yourself, however, without the help of a teacher to explain and expound on some of the finer points it is very difficult.
Having a good teacher can be of huge benefit to anyone trying to learn any kind of instrument. Learning to play takes patience, diligence, perseverance and hard work. Even with a good teacher it is often difficult to maintain the right level of discipline with regards to practice and technique.
Just like a personal trainer at a gym, your teacher should provide encouragement, advice and keep you motivated when you need a little extra push. Let’s face it, even the most dedicated student has moments where they’re just not feeling it and would rather be doing something else. Having a regular lesson to turn up to, with someone whose time you have paid for and committed to, stops you from bunking off.
In any process of learning there will inevitably be times when you need extra explanation, demonstration or just need to know that you are doing it right. You can’t get that off the internet. Encouragement, advice and positive reinforcement are all things you will get from a good music teacher. It will spur you on when you’re struggling to grasp certain skills or concepts and help you on your (here’s that X Factor phrase) ‘musical journey’.
There’s something else. Learning correct technique and passing grades will give you authenticity as a musician. You will know that you are progressing at the right speed and reaching the right levels. In turn, that will make you take your playing a lot more seriously and help you reach a standard you may not have been able to reach on your own.
So, yes, it is possible to learn to play on your own. But to avoid adopting bad habits and progress quicker, a good violin teacher is worth their weight in gold.
If you’re not doing it through an educational establishment, your local music shop should be able to help find a good tutor. In fact, they might even have teaching facilities on offer in the store.
Here at Hidersine, we have worked with a set of professional musicians and the European String Teachers Association (ESTA) to produce a set of violin, cello and double bass technique videos that are useful in helping you to build upon what you’re learning with your teacher.
Hidersine are proud to fund education bursaries in association with the European String Teachers Association. Learn more here.
If you have successfully decided where to buy your viola, how much to spend and what to spend it on, you will then need to make sure that your instrument of choice is the right size for you.
If you weren’t already aware, violas come in a variety of sizes and in accordance with your age, size and so on, you will need to work out which one is the right fit for you.
Hidersine violas come in a range of sizes from 12 inches up to 16 inches all available at £194 in the Vivente line-up which comes with an Oblong Styrofoam Case with accessory compartment and music pocket,
Brazilwood, Half-mounted bow and Hidersine Rosin block.
The violas themselves have a Solid Spruce Table, Solid Maple back and ribs with graphic flame, Carved Maple Neck, Genuine Ebony fingerboard and pegs, Carbon Tailpiece, Steel Strings.
How is a viola measured?
Viola sizes are defined by measuring the reverse side length from the side of the button to the centre line at the base. Violas of between 16 and 16½ inches (40.6 to 42cm) are classed as large-sized and suitable for most adults. Hidersine viola sizes are available in the standard and most commonly played sizes. These common sizes are generally suitable for the following age ranges based on the average size of a person at this age.
| VIOLA SIZE | AGE RANGE |
| 12" | 6-7 years |
| 13" | 7-9 years |
| 14" | 9-12 years |
| 15" | 10-12 years |
| 15.5" | Average adult |
| 16" | Large adult |
As with a violin, the main criteria of measuring viola size is how far you extend your left arm in order to play in first position.
Try this. Lift your hand so your fingertips touch your shoulder, and then slowly move your hand away from your body. When the upper arm moves past the vertical position the tension in your biceps starts to increase when the upper arm is around 45 degrees to the vertical. This is the position where you need to hold your arm to play the viola.
If you then twist your hand round and pretend you are playing a violin and then move your hand away and pretend to play a viola, as your arm extends further from your body you will also notice that it becomes more difficult to move your fingers. This is why viola size is so important.
Viola body and neck length
However, just using the back length does not tell you how far you are going to have to extend your left arm so bear in mind the combination of the body length and the neck length.
Unlike the violin, there is no standard length for viola necks meaning finding the right size can be a little tricky. A handy tip is to add the back length and neck length measurements together as this will tell you how far you will need to extend your left arm. Next, subtract the instrument string length from this figure to find out how much your right arm will be extended. The open string length will of course indicate how far apart your fingers will need to be.
Although these measurements will help you compare instruments and to understand why they feel different, to find out if is the viola that you should be playing, you really need to try it for size and see how it feels when you play it. One of our ever-helpful Hidersine dealers will be able to assist you to make the right choice.
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Play violin or cello? We have guides for you too.
What size violin do i need? READ
What size cello do i need? READ
Among the many considerations you will have to make about where to buy your violin, how much to spend and what to spend it on, you will also need to make sure that your violin is the right size for you.
If you weren’t already aware, violins come in a variety of sizes and in accordance with your age, size etc. so it’s important that you consider which one is the right fit for you. Violins come in eight main sizes. The size corresponds to the length of the body of the violin (not including the neck and scroll). The smallest is 1/16 (just 9 inches or 23 cm), and the sizes work their way up through 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8 and finally 4/4 or full size (about 14 inches or 36 cm).
How do I know if a violin fits me?
A violin fits if you can reach the notes comfortably with your left hand when holding the violin in the correct playing position. You should also be able to wrap your left hand comfortably around the curve of the scroll with a little bit of bend still left in your arm.
Most adults (and some children from around age 10) will require a full-size violin. It depends on the length of your arm and what you feel you can hold comfortably. When holding up a violin, it should also not feel too heavy and it should be possible to grip the top of the fingerboard with your hand, while still bending your arm easily at the elbow. If an adult feels more comfortable doing this on a 7/8, which is slightly smaller, rather than a full-sized instrument then it’s fine for them to play a violin of this size.
| VIOLIN SIZE | LENGTH (Neck to wrist) |
| 1/16 | 33.5 cm or less, 13 ¼ inches |
| 1/10 | 36 cm, 14 ¼ inches |
| 1/8 | 38.5 cm, 15 ¼ inches |
| 1/4 | 44 cm,17 ¼ inches |
| 1/2 | 48.5 cm,19 inches |
| 3/4 | 52 cm, 20 ½ inches |
| 4/4 | 54 cm, 21 ¼ inches |
Again, a helpful retailer will be able to assist you to make the right choice. Of course, a violin also requires a bow and to save you having to worry about the right size of bow and shoulder rest (yes they come in different sizes too) you should look to buy a complete outfit which usually includes a violin, bow, rosin and a case.
Hidersine violins come in all sizes and with all of those things and having already been inspected and setup ‘ready to play’ in our UK service workshops, it means that you can buy with confidence, knowing that every is the right size and take your new instrument along to your lesson, ready to go from the off.
Of course, if you’re buying a violin for a child, they have a regular habit of growing so it may not be the right sized instrument for very long. You could skip a size (allowing a bit of room for growth) as long as the child is able to play the fourth finger notes. Discussion with your child’s violin teacher would be useful if you are considering that because of course, each child is different as is each violin.
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Play viola or cello? We have guides for you too.
What size viola do i need? READ
What size cello do i need? READ
Now you know what to look for when buying a violin or other bowed instrument, the very next thing to consider perhaps, is how much you want to spend on that crucial first instrument.
Again, it very much depends on the budget you have available, and maybe your reasons for wanting to learn to play. If you have ambition to play in the London Philharmonic your budget might be more committed than if you just want to play for fun.
One thing is certain, there will be a temptation to look at the cheapest option but this would be a mistake because you may well end up with an inferior instrument made from unsuitable materials with poor quality workmanship.
Hidersine boasts more than 150 years of history and craftsmanship in building violins, which is why we are the choice for so many students starting on their musical journey. Our Vivente Academy instruments, which retail for around £260, for instance, feature a solid spruce top – or sound-table - which creates your instrument’s primary sound, resonating as a single structure to produce better tone. And, as the wood ages it will resonate naturally, improving the sound further. They also have maple back and ribs, maple neck, genuine ebony fingerboard and premium Wittner Fine-Tune pegs.
Many cheaper student violins may substitute for materials such as rosewood or other hardwoods instead of ebony and you will feel and hear it in the instrument.
There’s a reason why ebony is used - it will not mark, pit or wear out after lengthy playing periods and will remain structurally sound for a very long time. It also feels smooth on the fingers, which makes the playing experience far more pleasant.
Vivente violins are also supplied as a complete outfit, in a shockproof case with internal accessory compartments and an outer music pocket. It also includes a Brazilwood bow, and Hidersine’s own high quality rosin.
Unlike many other products which are ready to use once they have been completed in a factory, violins, violas, cellos and double basses require further tweaking once they have been constructed to set them up ready to play. Not all musical instruments out there undergo this process, so by choosing at the cheaper end of the market you can end up with something that will require continual adjustment to get it sounding right. If it ever does at all.
Set up includes shaping and shaving of the bridge, fitting the bridge, fitting the pegs, adjusting the bridge and fine tuning the instrument.
Your new Hidersine instrument will have already been inspected and setup ‘ready to play’ by the experts in our UK service workshops employing many years of experience in getting the violins sounding and feeling perfect.
So, if you’re on a limited budget try to avoid making false economies by acquiring a poor quality instrument which will only hinder your progress and might even discourage you from playing altogether. It might even be worth persevering with your rental instrument for a little longer while you save a little more for your first purchase which will set you on the right path.
For those starting out on their ‘musical journey’ (if you want get a little bit X Factor about it), that first instrument purchase is crucial and choosing the right place to buy a violin, with the necessary level of support is also important to get right.
Before you decide upon which particular retailer will get the distinction of playing a part in the back-story of a musical legend, you will first need to make one decision - whether to buy online or buy from a high street store.
Buying online is all about price, range and convenience. You can still get all of those from the bigger high street stores but one thing that is sometimes a little harder to get from an online store is personal after-sales support. For this you really need to go to a music shop. Here at Hidersine, we are proud to work with a large network of independent music shops and larger chain stores who all provide excellent levels of service.
They will usually be happy to field any queries you might have on what type of violin to buy, whatever your budget, and are much more likely to ensure that you leave the shop a happy bunny because they want your repeat business. A retail business relies on regular customers and word of mouth recommendations to attract new ones. So they should be bending over backwards to help you.
Having a good store nearby can really be an asset as you make progress with your instrument and need the odd repair, tweak, or accessory.
A local expert dealer is worth their weight in gold and can become your go-to-guy for extras (you’re always going to need rosin, new strings and other accessories occasionally) servicing and some friendly advice.
In addition, many retailers will have low or even zero interest payment schemes (particularly for students) which will help you spread the expense over a number of months and may even enable you to upgrade to a more expensive purchase that you wouldn’t be able to afford in one payment.
As a regular customer they will also be happy to let you come in and try some of the better violins too, even if you’re not ready or haven’t saved up enough to make your follow-up violin purchase.
When you are ready to upgrade your instrument, familiarity with your local shop makes it just that bit easier and, who knows? Just a bit cheaper too.
For the most extensive range you should choose a Hidersine Premier dealer who will have a high stock level of Hidersine instruments and accessories. They will also be highly likely to stock instruments from the Hidersine Reserve range of exclusive instruments.
Standard Hidersine dealers will offer the same expertise and level of service but will not have the same breadth of range that a Premium dealer does. For a student player, making their first instrument purchase, however, either would be suitable.
With over 190 retailers in the UK stocking Hidersine violins alone there is no shortage of choice when it comes to deciding where to buy your first instrument.
So for the best advice and the best service, pop into your nearest music store, a violin specialist is even better, and tell them what standard you are at and what you’re looking for and you should go home armed with the right instrument at the right price and maybe even a few little extras.
When it comes to just about any other purchase you can think of, buying online is something of a no-brainer. There’s more choice, the price is usually cheaper, and delivery is quick, cheaper still, or even free. What is not to like about shopping online?
But for musical instruments, it’s different. The individual nature of each instrument, and indeed the individual nature of every musician means that buying a new violin is very much a touchy-feely process. And you can’t get touchy feely online. We’re not there with the technology yet. And we’re a million miles from smell-o-vision.
Or even cello-vision. We couldn’t resist!
So, it’s best to head for your local music shop, right? Pick up a few violins, try them out, chat with the owner, maybe negotiate a discount or get some added-value on the total purchase with some accessories thrown in or a free instrument set-up. And make friends with a violin expert for life. Someone who can be your violin sensei as you continue on your journey towards the Philharmonic.
Sounds like a great scenario. And it is. But if you’re not looking for that because maybe you’re playing just for fun, learning at a less intense pace or simply just pushed for time or can’t abide negotiating busy high streets then buying online certainly simplifies the process.
It’s still important that the violin feels good when YOU play it, so you need to try them out first. But not everyone has a great music retailer on their doorstep, however, so it’s possible that buying a violin or other bowed instruments online might be your best option or maybe even your only one.
Well, if that is the case then there’s no need to panic, because here’s the thing. While visiting a shop means you have the advantage of trying out any number of violins for size all at once, find the right online dealer and you could still get to try out an instrument before you finally commit to buying it.
Many retailers will offer that option online by sending you a violin to play for a limited period, during which time you can get used to playing it at home and even get your instructor to run the rule over it to find out if you’re getting your money’s worth. Then if you don’t like it, you can simply send it back and try another one until you find the perfect fit for you.
Shopping online also allows you access to independent reviews so you benefit from other people’s experience of the same instrument, which means you can assess the pros and cons of buying it. You don’t get to hear from all the previous customers when you go into a shop, do you?
There is one thing that you will get from a high street store that is harder to get online, however, and that is the level of personal after-sales support. So you have weigh up how important that is to you and if the trade-off with what is presumably a cheaper online price is worth it.
It’s also worth remembering that all Hidersine instruments are expertly inspected and setup before making their way to our dealers. We know it’s important in giving you that crucial peace of mind that what you’re buying online will be in its optimal condition and ready to play when you receive it.
Oh and the one thing retailers really hate is people going into a store, finding the violin they like and then buying it cheaper online. So, whatever you do, definitely don’t do that.
Whatever level you expect to take your violin playing to, whether playing for the sheer enjoyment (playing should always be enjoyable, right?) or whether you hope to pursue it at a more serious, professional standard, the most important decision you will ever make is in buying your first violin.
Buying the right violin should set you on the path to a lifelong love affair with the instrument which will give you endless hours of pleasure. But get it wrong, and your initial enthusiasm could soon wane as your first tentative steps are hindered by poor tunings and intonation which mean you spend more of your time fiddling with the tuning pegs than you do actually fiddling. And nothing is more likely to discourage newcomers than an instrument that sounds bad and produces that awful ‘strangled cat’ sound.
But, of course, not everyone can afford to shell out for a Stradivarius straight away, and neither should they because a high-end instrument would be somewhat wasted on a beginner still trying to master the rudiments.
How to avoid buying a bad violin
For parents in particular, keen to help their children explore the possibilities of a wide range of hobbies and interests but aware that not all of them are going to last beyond the initial enthusiasm, cost is an issue. But going too far into the low-end of the market can kill their child’s musical aspirations off quickly. Badly-made instruments produce bad sounds and a bad experience for the musician.
So how do you make the (best quality) first purchase?
The best thing to do is find a local music shop, all good stores are happy to give free advice, and talk to the staff about what your requirements are. Don’t be afraid to say that you are a beginner and know little about violins. Everyone has to start somewhere. Honesty is the best policy here.
Tempted to buy online? Consider this first. Every instrument is different and you need to know if it feels comfortable in your hands and right for you. So, you need to try before you buy. Pick it up, put it under your chin, is it comfortable? Have you chosen the right sized violin? What does it feel like when you press down on the strings? Is it hard to do? If it is, can the shop adjust the height of the bridge for you to make that easier?
Hidersine instruments will have already been inspected and setup ‘ready to play’ in our UK service workshops. This means that you can buy with confidence, whether in-store or even online.
Most importantly what does it sound like when you play it? Does it sound nice? To you. There’s no right or wrong answer to that question. Even if you don’t yet have a huge repertoire of tunes, play all the notes up the neck and make sure they sound right. You could even get someone else to play it for you so you can concentrate on listening.
Ask what the violin is made from. The type of wood is important because your instrument’s primary voice is determined by the quality of the wood and as the wood ages and the solid tonewood top gradually relaxes at a cellular level into its natural rest state, it will resonate naturally, and the sound will improve further. Hidersine Vivente Academy instruments feature a solid spruce top – or sound-table - that will improve with age.
They also have solid Maple ribs and backs too. These solid tonewood sections further enhance the instrument’s natural tone. The top produces the instrument’s primary voice, and the back and sides add the character.
Choosing the right bow
Of course a violin is not much good without a bow, so take a close look at that too. How does it feel in your hand? Does the note last along the whole length of the bow when you draw it across the strings? Is there plenty of hair on the bow and can you easily adjust the tightness of it?
Making sure you select the right bow can be harder than selecting the right violin. But as it is in contact with your instrument and is an extension of your hand it is vital to get it right. There is no point in selecting the right violin and then having the wrong bow because you won’t get the most out of the instrument.
The three basic materials used in bow sticks are brazilwood, pernambuco, and carbon fibre, with pernambuco bows traditionally the most expensive. Hidersine offers all three materials in a range of more than 20 violin bows that start at less than £20 all the way up to more than £400 for a pernambuco model. All are professionally adjusted and ready to play with.
When selecting a bow, consider weight, feel and texture. When you play with the bow it has to feel balanced when resting on the strings. If it’s too heavy it can make your arm feel tired, too light and it will lack the power you need to player louder or more aggressively.
Check out how it feels in your hand. Can you grip it comfortably? Does everything feel like it is in the right place? You can choose between a round or octagonal bow, but we all have different-sized hands so it is about what feels right for you.
And what about texture? How does it actually feel on the strings when you play? If you’re buying from a shop take some music with you and play it with different bows to see how it feels and sounds. Play different types of piece so you can see how the bow performs when playing smoothly, softly, or pizzicato.
Above all, remember that it is good to get as much advice as possible, but you must make the final choice, based on what feels right for you.
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Your Privacy whilst using our website
Below, we intend to lay out clearly everything you need to know about the way we use any information that you give us.
- www.hidersine.com is operated by Barnes & Mullins Ltd, who are a Trade-Only Musical Instrument and Pro Audio distributor based in Oswestry, Shropshire, UK. We operate regular business hours (9am – 5.30pm) five days per week.
- www.hidersine.com is a website operated by Barnes & Mullins Ltd. This website is designed to offer information about Hidersine Instruments and Accessories; to give answers to frequently asked questions; to allow product registration and product reviews; and to allow you to contact us with enquiries.
- We use cookies to aid in the function of this site. The cookies we use are listed further down this page. You do not have to accept these cookies, but if you do not, the website may cease to function properly.
- We use Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel to track user visits and activity on our sites. This is explained in more detail below in section 2.2 and 2.2(a). You can manage cookies in your browser and you can manage your Facebook ad preferences here: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences.
- We do not ask for any personal details on this website, unless you decide to register your instrument through this page - https://www.hidersine.com/register-your-instrument
- If you are a Hidersine Instrument owner and choose to register your instrument on this website, we will ask you for a little of your personal data so we can confirm your registration, and so that you can leave a short review of your instrument for others to read.
- Your product review will be permanently located in the reviews section on the relevant product page on this website. Your review may also be replicated on our main trade-only catalogue site www.bandm.co.uk, located in context next to the same product as you have reviewed.
What information is collected during registration?
- Your First Name and Surname
- Your Instrument Details
- Date of purchase
- Your Country of Residence
- Your consent to us keeping your registration on record.
- A short review of your instrument (this is not obligatory)
- Your consent as to whether we can publish your review on the site. You do not automatically opt-in.
- Newsletter signup (this is not obligatory). Upon obtaining your opted-in consent, your name and email address will be passed to our account held by the mail handler, MailChimp.
- This data is retained in our web database for as long as relevant.
Who is collecting the data, where is it stored, and how will it be used?
- Barnes & Mullins Ltd are storing the registration data on their web servers, for the purposes of keeping a record of your registered instrument, and for the purposes of displaying your written review of the product. The basis of this data use and retention is the consent given by you to keep the registration on file, and separate consent to use and display any product review.
- Our web servers are located in the United Kingdom.
- If you consent to receiving our e-newsletter mailings, your name and email address will also be held by the Barnes & Mullins Marketing team in our bulk mailing service, namely Mailchimp. Mailchimp is a market leader in bulk mailing services, and we believe it is a safe place for your business’s contact details. Mailchimp is located in the USA, so if you consent to marketing emails, your details may be transferred to computer servers in the USA. Mailchimp comply with the EU-USA Privacy Shield standards which are explained in detail here - https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TO6hAAG&status=Active
- Even after your consent is given, you can opt-out of any marketing communications immediately.
- We will not sell your details to a third party. We will not pass your details to anyone, other than when obliged under law.
We believe the use of your data in the simple way laid out above, is reasonable and necessary and is based upon your consent.
If for any reason you have a concern over the way that your information is being used, please contact us immediately at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Below is a more detailed explanation of our privacy policy, along with information about which cookies we use and what they do.
Privacy and cookies policy
- Introduction
1.1 We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our website visitors and customers; in this policy we explain how we will handle your personal data.
1.2 By using our website and agreeing to this policy, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy.
- How we use your personal data
2.1 In this Section 2 we have set out:
(a) the general categories of personal data that we may process;
(b) the purposes for which we may process personal data; and
(c) the legal bases of the processing.
2.2 We may process data about your use of our website and services ("usage data"). The usage data may include your IP address, geographical location, browser type and version, operating system, referral source, length of visit, page views and website navigation paths, as well as information about the timing, frequency and pattern of your service use. The source of the usage data is Google Analytics and / or Facebook Pixel. This usage data may be processed for the purposes of analysing the use of the website and services. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely monitoring and improving our website and services.
2.2(a) We use Facebook Pixel Cookies for analytics and marketing / retargeting purposes. Through the Facebook Pixel we can track various actions that you take on this website and use this information to accurately serve advertisements through the Facebook platforms.
You can find out more detail about Facebook’s cookies and pixel here - https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/
If you would like to control what adverts you see and what abilities we – and others - have to serve you appropriate advertisements, you are also able to fully manage your personal ad preferences on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences.
You can read all about Facebook’s advertising system here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/about/
2.3 We may process your account data ("account data"). The account data may include your name and email address. The source of the account data is you or your employer. The account data may be processed for the purposes of operating our website, providing our services, ensuring the security of our website and services, maintaining back-ups of our databases and communicating with you. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper administration of our website and business and the performance of a contract between you and us and/or taking steps, at your request, to enter into such a contract.
2.4 We may process information that you post for publication on our website or through our services – such as product registration. ("publication data"). The publication data may be processed for the purposes of enabling such publication and administering our website and services. The legal basis for this processing is consent.
2.5 We may process information contained in any enquiry you submit to us regarding goods and/or services ("enquiry data"). The enquiry data may be processed for the purposes of offering, marketing and selling relevant goods and/or services to you. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper administration of our website and business and the performance of a contract between you and us.
2.6 This website does not offer transactions, therefore does not offer information about Transaction Data.
2.7 We may process information that you provide to us for the purpose of subscribing to our email notifications and/or newsletters ("notification data"). The notification data may be processed for the purposes of sending you the relevant notifications and/or newsletters. The legal basis for this processing is consent as a trade customer and the performance of a contract between you and us and/or taking steps, at your request, to enter into such a contract.
2.8 We may process information contained in or relating to any communication that you send to us ("correspondence data"). The correspondence data may include the communication content and metadata associated with the communication. Our website will generate the metadata associated with communications made using the website contact forms. The correspondence data may be processed for the purposes of communicating with you and record-keeping. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper administration of our website and business and communications with users.
2.9 We may process any of your personal data identified in this policy where necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, whether in court proceedings or in an administrative or out-of-court procedure. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the protection and assertion of our legal rights, your legal rights and the legal rights of others.
2.10 We may process any of your personal data identified in this policy where necessary for the purposes of obtaining or maintaining insurance coverage, managing risks, or obtaining professional advice. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper protection of our business against risks.
2.11 In addition to the specific purposes for which we may process your personal data set out in this Section 2, we may also process any of your personal data where such processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject.
- Providing your personal data to others
3.1 We may disclose your personal data to any member of our group of companies this means our subsidiaries, our ultimate holding company and all its subsidiaries insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes, and on the legal bases, set out in this policy.
3.2 We may disclose your personal data to our insurers and/or professional advisers insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes of obtaining or maintaining insurance coverage, managing risks, obtaining professional advice, or the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, whether in court proceedings or in an administrative or out-of-court procedure.
3.3 This website does not offer goods for sale.
3.4 In addition to the specific disclosures of personal data set out in this Section 3, we may disclose your personal data where such disclosure is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject, or in order to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another natural person. We may also disclose your personal data where such disclosure is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, whether in court proceedings or in an administrative or out-of-court procedure.
- International transfers of your personal data
4.1 In this Section 4, we provide information about the circumstances in which your personal data may be transferred to [countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA)].
4.2 The hosting facilities for our website are situated in the United Kingdom.
4.3 Our bulk mailing application, Mailchimp is based in The United States of America. The European Commission has made an "adequacy decision" with respect to the data protection laws of the USA. Transfers of data to the USA will be protected by appropriate safeguards, namely the use of standard data protection clauses adopted or approved by the European Commission.
Mailchimp comply with the EU-SWISS-USA Privacy Shield framework about which more information can be found here: https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TO6hAAG&status=Active
4.4 You acknowledge that personal data that you submit for publication – by such means as Product Registration or Product Reviews - through our website or services may be available, via the internet, around the world. We cannot prevent the use (or misuse) of such personal data by others.
- Retaining and deleting personal data
5.1 This Section 5 sets out our data retention policies and procedure, which are designed to help ensure that we comply with our legal obligations in relation to the retention and deletion of personal data.
5.2 Personal data that we process for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.
5.3 We will retain your personal data as follows:
(a) All personal data – obtained through product registration and review - that is present on the website will be retained for as long as the site remains active and the information remains relevant. You are able to request removal of your data at any time.
5.4 In some cases it is not possible for us to specify in advance the periods for which your personal data will be retained. In such cases, we will determine the period of retention based on the following criteria:
(a) All personal data – obtained through product registration and review - that is present on the website will be retained for as long as the site remains active and the information remains relevant. You are able to request removal of your data at any time.
5.5 Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5, we may retain your personal data where such retention is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject, or in order to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another natural person.
- Amendments
6.1 We may update this policy from time to time by publishing a new version on our website.
6.2 You should check this page occasionally to ensure you are happy with any changes to this policy.
6.3 We may notify you of changes to this policy by email, if we have your consent, or by posting news of changes on the front page of our website.
- Your rights
7.1 In this Section 7, we have summarised the rights that you have under data protection law. Some of the rights are complex, and not all of the details have been included in our summaries. Accordingly, you should read the relevant laws and guidance from the regulatory authorities for a full explanation of these rights.
7.2 Your principal rights under data protection law are:
(a) the right to access;
(b) the right to rectification;
(c) the right to erasure;
(d) the right to restrict processing;
(e) the right to object to processing;
(f) the right to data portability;
(g) the right to complain to a supervisory authority; and
(h) the right to withdraw consent.
7.3 You have the right to confirmation as to whether or not we process your personal data and, where we do, access to the personal data, together with certain additional information. That additional information includes details of the purposes of the processing, the categories of personal data concerned and the recipients of the personal data. Providing the rights and freedoms of others are not affected, we will supply to you a copy of your personal data. The first copy will be provided free of charge, but additional copies may be subject to a reasonable fee.
7.4 You have the right to have any inaccurate personal data about you rectified and, taking into account the purposes of the processing, to have any incomplete personal data about you completed.
7.5 In some circumstances you have the right to the erasure of your personal data without undue delay. Those circumstances include: the personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed; you withdraw consent to consent-based processing; you object to the processing under certain rules of applicable data protection law; the processing is for direct marketing purposes; and the personal data have been unlawfully processed. However, there are exclusions of the right to erasure. The general exclusions include where processing is necessary: for exercising the right of freedom of expression and information; for compliance with a legal obligation; or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
7.6 In some circumstances you have the right to restrict the processing of your personal data. Those circumstances are: you contest the accuracy of the personal data; processing is unlawful but you oppose erasure; we no longer need the personal data for the purposes of our processing, but you require personal data for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; and you have objected to processing, pending the verification of that objection. Where processing has been restricted on this basis, we may continue to store your personal data. However, we will only otherwise process it: with your consent; for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person; or for reasons of important public interest.
7.7 You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data on grounds relating to your particular situation, but only to the extent that the legal basis for the processing is that the processing is necessary for: the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of any official authority vested in us; or the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by us or by a third party. If you make such an objection, we will cease to process the personal information unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing is for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
7.8 You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes (including profiling for direct marketing purposes). If you make such an objection, we will cease to process your personal data for this purpose.
7.9 You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes on grounds relating to your particular situation, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.
7.10 To the extent that the legal basis for our processing of your personal data is:
(a) consent; or
(b) that the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are party or in order to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract,
and such processing is carried out by automated means, you have the right to receive your personal data from us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. However, this right does not apply where it would adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.
7.11 If you consider that our processing of your personal information infringes data protection laws, you have a legal right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority responsible for data protection. You may do so in the EU member state of your habitual residence, your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement.
7.12 To the extent that the legal basis for our processing of your personal information is consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing before the withdrawal.
7.13 You may exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data by written notice to us.
- Third party websites
8.1 Our website includes hyperlinks to, and details of, third party websites.
8.2 We have no control over, and are not responsible for, the privacy policies and practices of third parties.
- Personal data of children
9.1 Our website www.hidersine.com and our products are targeted at persons of all ages, however we believe it reasonable that we do not accept product registrations or reviews from persons below the age of 16.
9.2 We ask for confirmation of age at the time of registration, but if we have reason to believe that we hold personal data of a person under 16 in our databases, we will delete that personal data.
- Updating information
10.1 Please let us know if the personal information that we hold about you needs to be corrected or updated.
- About cookies
11.1 A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
11.2 Cookies may be either "persistent" cookies or "session" cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.
11.3 Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
- Cookies that we use
12.1 We use the following cookies for the following purposes:
This list is generated by Cookie-Script.com - We use Cookie-script.com to provide the cookie Consent popup.
- Cookies used by our service providers
13.1 Our service providers use cookies and those cookies may be stored on your computer when you visit our website.
13.2 We use Google Analytics to analyse the use of our website. Google Analytics gathers information about website use by means of cookies. The information gathered relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of our website. Google's privacy policy is available at: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.[ The relevant cookies are: [identify cookies].]
13.3 We use ADDTHIS to assist in social media sharing of our content. You can view the privacy policy of this service provider at http://www.addthis.com/privacy/privacy-policy
13.4 We use Facebook Pixel Cookies for analytics and marketing / retargeting purposes. Through the Facebook Pixel we can track various actions that you take on this website and use this information to accurately serve advertisements through the Facebook platforms.
You can find out more detail about Facebook’s cookies and pixel here - https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/
If you would like to control what adverts you see and what abilities we – and others - have to serve you appropriate advertisements, you are also able to fully manage your personal ad preferences on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences.
You can read all about Facebook’s advertising system here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/about/
- Managing cookies
14.1 Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies and to delete cookies. The methods for doing so vary from browser to browser, and from version to version. You can however obtain up-to-date information about blocking and deleting cookies via these links:
(a) https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en (Chrome);
(b) https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences (Firefox);
(c) http://www.opera.com/help/tutorials/security/cookies/ (Opera);
(d) https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies (Internet Explorer);
(e) https://support.apple.com/kb/PH21411 (Safari); and
(f) https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10-microsoft-edge-and-privacy (Edge).
14.2 Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites.
14.3 If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website.
- Cookie preferences
15.1 You can manage your preferences relating to the use of cookies in your internet browser.
- Our details
16.1 This website is owned and operated by Barnes & Mullins Ltd.
16.2 We are registered in England and Wales under registration number 01305000 and our registered office is at Unit 14, Mile Oak Industrial Estate, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8GA
16.3 Our principal place of business is at Unit 14, Mile Oak Industrial Estate, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8GA
16.4 You can contact us:
(a) by post, to the postal address given above
(b) using our website contact form;
(c) by telephone, on 01691 652449
(d) by email, using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Representative within the European Union
17.1 Our representative within the European Union with respect to our obligations under data protection law is ALEX MEW and you can contact our representative by using the contact us details above.
- Data protection officer
18.1 Our data protection officer's contact details are:
SARAH LEWIS. 01691 652449
SDS Safety Data Sheets
Hidersine
Rosin
1VM, 1CM, 1VAM, 3VM, 3VS, 1CM, 6VM, 6CM, 6BM, 12VMM 12CM, DB1, DB2M, DB3M, HR21CM, HR21VLM, 2062M, 2063M
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - ENG
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - FR
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - DE
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - ESP
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - FIN
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - POL
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - HUN
Hidersine Rosin - SDS Sheet - ROM
10H Hidersol Varnish Reviver
Hidersine Hidersol 10HM - SDS Sheet - ENG
Hidersine Hidersol 10HM - SDS Sheet - DE
Hidersine Hidersol 10HM - SDS Sheet - ESP
Hidersine Hidersol 10HM - SDS Sheet - FIN
Hidersine Hidersol 10HM - SDS Sheet - HUN
Hidersine Hidersol 10HM - SDS Sheet - POL
Hidersine Hidersol 10HM - SDS Sheet - ROM
333 Hiderpaste
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - ENG
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - FR
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - DE
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - ESP
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - DUTCH
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - FIN
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - POL
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - HUN
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - ROM
Hidersine Hiderpaste 333M - SDS Sheet - SWEDISH
W. E. Hill & Sons
Rosin
1470M, 2064M, 2065M, 2066M, 2067M, 2068M
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - ENG
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - FR
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - DE
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - ESP
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - FIN
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - POL
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - HUN
W. E. Hill & Sons Rosin - SDS Sheet - ROM
1788 Peg Paste
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - ENG
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - DE
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - DUTCH
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - ESP
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - FIN
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - FR
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - HUN
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - IT
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - POL
W. E. Hill & Sons Peg Paste 1788M - SDS Sheet - ROM
1789M Conservation Wax
W. E. Hill & Sons Conservation Wax 1789M - SDS Sheet - ENG
W. E. Hill & Sons Conservation Wax 1789M - SDS Sheet - DE
W. E. Hill & Sons Conservation Wax 1789M - SDS Sheet - DUTCH
W. E. Hill & Sons Conservation Wax 1789M - SDS Sheet - ESP
W. E. Hill & Sons Conservation Wax 1789M - SDS Sheet - FR
W. E. Hill & Sons Conservation Wax 1789M - SDS Sheet - IT
1785 Preparation Cleaning Liquid - Varnish Cleaner
W. E. Hill & Sons Varnish Cleaner 1785M - SDS Sheet - ENG
W. E. Hill & Sons Varnish Cleaner 1785M - SDS Sheet - DE
W. E. Hill & Sons Varnish Cleaner 1785M - SDS Sheet - FIN
W. E. Hill & Sons Varnish Cleaner 1785M - SDS Sheet - FR
W. E. Hill & Sons Varnish Cleaner 1785M - SDS Sheet - HUN
W. E. Hill & Sons Varnish Cleaner 1785M - SDS Sheet - POL
Hidersine: Supporting Music Education
In association with the European String Teachers Association.
Hidersine is a company founded on the vision of Mr Francis Hider: an accomplished musician. A trained double bass player, Mr Hider experienced the joys of learning, playing and sharing his musical passion throughout his life.
Now, over 120 years since Mr Hider began his journey, we at Barnes & Mullins – the owner and custodian of the Hidersine legacy – believe that it is our responsibility to empower as many young people as possible to experience one of the greatest joys in life: Music.
Along with other industry leaders such as Thomastik Infeld, Wittner and Jargar Strings, Hidersine are proud to partner with the European String Teachers Association.
The Benefits of Music Education:
Learning a musical instrument and interacting with other like-minded players has been shown to have an incredibly positive impact on a person’s wellbeing as well as showing many academic benefits in children.
VH1’s ‘Save the Music Foundation’ conducted research in the field of the effects of music on music students, and the positive outcomes were overwhelming. A few highlights from this study are:
Study of US Elementary Schools:
• Students in top quality music programs scored 22% better in English and 20% better in mathematics than students in deficient music programs.
• These academic differences were fairly consistent across geographic regions.
• Students at the four elementary schools with high quality music programs scored better than students participating in programs considered to be of lower quality.
Study of US Middle Schools:
• Students in top quality instrumental programs scored 19% higher in English than students in schools without a music program, and 32% higher in English than students in a deficient choral program.
• Students in top quality instrumental programs scored 17% higher in mathematics than children in schools without a music program, and 33% higher in mathematics than students in a deficient choral program.
• Students at schools with excellent music programs had higher English test scores across the country than students in schools with low-quality music programs; this was also true when considering mathematics.
• Students in all regions with lower-quality instrumental programs scored higher in English and mathematics than students who had no music at all.
An Excerpt from: “Journal for Research in Music Education”, June 2007; Dr. Christopher Johnson & Dr. Jenny Memmott
You can view the full PDF document outlining the many findings of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation research study by clicking this link
Hidersine Technique Videos - Additional Educational Support.
Don’t forget, if you or your child plays a bowed instrument, you can all benefit for FREE from our selection of Technique Videos. Filmed and directed in conjunction with three highly regarded ESTA members and professionals, the Hidersine Technique Archive covers playing and bowing techniques for Violin, Cello and Double Bass.
Crafted in our instrument workshops across Asia, Hidersine Reserve instruments represent both superior quality and remarkable value.
Using a select of the finest, aged tonewoods, and high quality fittings and accessories, no two Hidersine Reserve instruments are exactly the same.
Inspired by the most celebrated designs and patterns from history featuring a range of varnish styles and finishes, each insturment is unique.
This individuality is why we have no product listings for these instruments, as the discerning musician needs to discover the hand chosen selection offered by their local bowed instrument specialist.
Bowed instrument retailers can choose and order individual instruments online when logged in to their trade area at www.bandm.co.uk
If you would like to test and buy a Hidersine Reserve instrument, we would recommend that you call your local bowed specialist store before travelling. In order to locate your nearest Hidersine Dealer please click here
