Besides the instrument itself, there are a few accessories that are an absolute must for successful music study.  I’ll also mention a few that are highly desirable.

Essentials:

• Shoulder pad—a well fitted shoulder pad helps support the instrument.  I personally prefer a Playonair brand (an inflatable air pillow) or a simple cosmetic sponge.  Most students make the mistake of buying a shoulder pad that makes the height of the instrument plus pad greater than the space between their shoulder and chin.  This throws the spine and head out of alignment and can cause discomfort.  Always try several types of shoulder pads, aim for comfort and good posture, and if in doubt, ask your teacher before making a purchase.

• Music Stand—a music stand is a must for home practice.  Too many students who do not have a music stand end up hunched over their music on a bed or table, and develop poor posture—not to mention a bad back!  Wire music stands are portable and inexpensive, but black Manhasset stands are wonderful if you can spare the expense.  It’s hard to make pencil markings with the lack of support a wire stand provides, but a black stand provides almost the support of a desk.

• Metronome—a good digital metronome is invaluable in helping students develop a steady tempo.

• Pencil—keep one in your case!

• Rosin—without rosin, the bow cannot produce a sound.

• Soft cloth—instruments should be wiped after every use to prevent damaging rosin build up.  Keep a soft cloth (an old sock cut into a square, a handkerchief, or an old cloth diaper) in your case and use it!

Nice things to have:

·        Extra set of strings in your case—you never know when a string is going to break.  Dominant strings are usually the best bet for students.

·        Mute—some music calls for a mute, which changes the sound of the instrument.

·        Practice mute—if you are a person who likes to practice at odd hours, live in an apartment with sensitive neighbors, or Dad works the night shift, a practice mute can allow you to practice without disturbing other family members.

·        Dampit—this is a rubber hose type device which has a sponge inside.  You fill the dampit with water every day and place it in your instrument’s f-hole.  It helps keep the wood from drying out, which helps prevent expensive-to-repair cracks.

·        A tuner—if you have a metronome, most digital types also have a tuning feature.

·        Chin rest pad—does your chin rest bother your neck?  They make soft foam pads that fit over the chin rest and the side of the instrument to help protect the neck.

·        Cushy backpack case cover—this is a definite luxury item, and one I want myself.  But for a student who has to lug an instrument back and forth to school every day, a backpack style case cover may be a “necessity.”

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