November 2014

Electrifying learning program, you in or out?

There are a few basic issues facing the future of orchestral strings, classicism and single minded focus on classical music as the core learning tool.

First I will tackle the issue of student interest and then delve more into the unfortunate reality of the economic classicism that plagues the future of orchestral strings.

On student interest:
Kids now days would rather play "guitar hero" on xbox then pick up an "axe" and "shred" for real, so why would they be excited to play Bach on a violin? Especially if they have to do weeks of boring drones first? I don't see our A.D.D. afflicted youth of America latching on to the thrill of the violin this way. So we need to stay open and flexible with the teaching methods we use and be willing to adopt new methods as needed.

On the classicism of economics:
Acoustic orchestral strings cost a bundle for good ones, none of us can argue that economic fact. Even the "good" ones from China cost about 300 to 400 bux to start for a violin and about 400 to 600 bux for say a cello. This is just not something a large segment of single parents or a struggling family can afford, no matter how much they really want too. This economic fact is enforcing an artificial classicism that more then a few of us see as honorably crippling a lot of aspiring musicians by depriving them of the chance to learn.

Hope is on the way!!!
One of the ways that we can help close this gap in student interest and economics is by adopting the wonderful tool, "the electric string."
By adopting the "electric" violin, cello, etc, as a standard choice of instrument for schools we can "spark" a new drive to learn this art by providing "electrifying" instruments to the student. Performers like Lindsy Sterling have already generated interest and grabbed the attention of our youth, why not capitalize on it?
This also is a way for us to close that economic gap, giving parents and schools a cheaper per instrument investment margin. This will help schools and parents with tight budgets be able to acquire instruments for students as you can get a rather serviceable electric violin for about 150 bux.

So, because I like to put my time and money where my mouth is...
I want to start a all community/crowd-source funded program to acquire electric stringed instruments. Get them all set up (i.e. have the bridge correctly adjusted, good starter strings put on and bows checked for correct curve.) and start sending them out to schools across the USA.
Now the question I have for you all is, would you be willing to help out, donate funds, instruments or time to get this going? If so please provide some feed back!!!

Much love to you all and happy fiddling!
:-)

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