Why I love playing the violin
I was one of those kids who shirked practice. When I was about 8, I would regularly de-tune my little violin as an excuse to not practice, until my mom had a moment to come in and set things right. Once, I hid my instrument in the closet and told my mom it had been lost…only to quickly “find” it again after witnessing her panicked reaction. At that age, I somehow had decided it was essential that I resisted playing my violin, if only to loll on the couch for a few noticeably empty minutes.
The Violin: a stringed instrument with Italian origins, lauded for its singing tone and graceful profile. An instrument whose widespread use ranges from symphony orchestra to jazz ensembles, film scores to Indian ragas. I love the violin because playing it has given me friendship, adventure, and a sense of tradition I am honored to contribute to as a creative performer and teacher.
I have been playing violin since I was four years old, starting with a large Suzuki program in San Francisco. When we moved, my mom took over teaching me violin, in addition to her full studio of violin and viola students. I grew up in a house where violin class in the living room was the reason my family vacuumed every Saturday. Scratchy Twinkles and beginning vibrato were the dinner prep soundtrack. Violin was just a background part of normal life.
For me, I began to love my instrument only after I came in contact with other good musicians my own age – at summer camps, youth orchestras, and studio classes. I enjoyed the camaraderie that came with playing violin with others, and understood the concept that violin was allowing me to do something really fun. I can honestly say that playing the violin has allowed me to become friends with amazing people, create powerful performances that move people to tears, and travel the world. I love all of these things.
But truly loving my instrument… that came later, after I understood just how unusual and lucky I am to be able to do these things. How wild is it that I teach and play an instrument I began studying when I was four years old? Isn’t it wild that I’m carrying on a tradition that is hundreds of years old!? My years of practice have made it possible for me to make a living creating something beautiful and precious, and it’s my life’s investment to see that passed on to future generations of music makers and lovers. It’s a long way from lolling on the couch!
Here I am playing one of my favorite pieces:
The Violin: a stringed instrument with Italian origins, lauded for its singing tone and graceful profile. An instrument whose widespread use ranges from symphony orchestra to jazz ensembles, film scores to Indian ragas. I love the violin because playing it has given me friendship, adventure, and a sense of tradition I am honored to contribute to as a creative performer and teacher.
I have been playing violin since I was four years old, starting with a large Suzuki program in San Francisco. When we moved, my mom took over teaching me violin, in addition to her full studio of violin and viola students. I grew up in a house where violin class in the living room was the reason my family vacuumed every Saturday. Scratchy Twinkles and beginning vibrato were the dinner prep soundtrack. Violin was just a background part of normal life.
For me, I began to love my instrument only after I came in contact with other good musicians my own age – at summer camps, youth orchestras, and studio classes. I enjoyed the camaraderie that came with playing violin with others, and understood the concept that violin was allowing me to do something really fun. I can honestly say that playing the violin has allowed me to become friends with amazing people, create powerful performances that move people to tears, and travel the world. I love all of these things.
But truly loving my instrument… that came later, after I understood just how unusual and lucky I am to be able to do these things. How wild is it that I teach and play an instrument I began studying when I was four years old? Isn’t it wild that I’m carrying on a tradition that is hundreds of years old!? My years of practice have made it possible for me to make a living creating something beautiful and precious, and it’s my life’s investment to see that passed on to future generations of music makers and lovers. It’s a long way from lolling on the couch!
Here I am playing one of my favorite pieces:
Bay Area violinist Dr. Sarah Wood leads a versatile career as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician and teacher. A dedicated educator, Sarah has taught violin and viola for over 15 years, and incorporates movement education and healthy playing techniques into her teaching style. In addition to being a fully certified Suzuki teacher, Sarah has participated in intensive pedagogy workshops in the Rolland Violin Method and the Alexander Technique. Sarah was one of the founding Resident Teaching Artists at the Alameda String Academy.