Lessons Made Easy! Professional Violin Tutor. Enjoy learning a variety of genres online suited to your interests. 100% ABRSM and Trinity London exam pass rate!

Find out more about Sarah

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  I was 8 years old and I think my parents needed to keep me occupied. I was given a set of headphones and an LP 'Hounds of Love' by Kate Bush, I absolutely fell in love with reading the lyrics and immersing myself into her musical world. At this age and before learning to play a musical instrument, I also enjoyed listening to Enya. I found meaning through dance and movement, connecting myself in this way to her music as a child cemented my love for music. Realising my creative leanings my mother bought me a small keyboard with an on board recording facility and that's where I began to write my first tunes which I can still remember.
  
  My introduction to the violin started at the age of nine when the local music authority visited my school. I remember watching a class demonstration of a violin teacher playing the violin and I remember feeling transfixed watching the movement and listening to the sound. I remember being given a few musical pitch tests where I was chosen to receive lessons and then handed my first violin. I continued through secondary school and then later in my early 20s went on to play electric violin in various bands.

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  I tend to avoid listening to too much music because I play and teach it every day! I definitely do not listen to music on loop, it would drive me crazy! I also prefer to avoid being too influenced by other musicians, especially during those times when I am writing my own music. I enjoy listening to Classic FM. I like Jazz and Rock/ Folk music, World Music. I like advent garde, and Indian classical music. My husband is a multi instrumentalist performer and teacher, so I hear various Indian ragas at home on flute, Violin and Vichitra Veena, so I guess you could say our house is very musical most of the time.

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  I love to teach students how to read well and how to develop good posture and sound on the violin. Timing and rhythm are extremely important skills and I will inculcate these skills in every lesson. I like students to watch my approach and to hear me play the part in order for them to hear the tone, pace and style. I call this question and answer, I play and the student plays back. I feel it is imperative for students to hear how the music should sound in order for them to develop a good ear and tone on their own instrument. I really love to see my students develop these skills to become fluent readers and to watch them grow as independent players.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  Violin of course! This instrument is fretless and (although can be fretful at times!) requires the player to have and to develop a good pitch sense. There are many different approaches in placing fingering positions within violin music. I find it somewhat satisfying working these out, applying positions according to the needs and style of music as well as the ability of the student. Every player has their own unique sound and I never stop discovering new revelations. I believe a violin player is always a life long student and perhaps one lifetime alone is too short to truly master this instrument!

• What are your keys to success?

  To be successful in music you need to be inspired..by the instrument… and have motivation to want to learn too and to be prepared to work for it by practicing regularly. Positive energies and a can do attitude will take you far! Also it is important to remember to encourage and support fellow musicians. We are all influenced by current and historic music, teachers and their teachers too so it is good to be humble and give thanks.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Well that's a big question, I love so many different musicians and composers of different genres so it is really hard to pin down, ok..
  
  George Harrison - A good song writer, had depth of meaning in his songs, mostly spiritual messages and he brought Indian music into to the western pop music sphere. George was the most grounded Beatle and he kept it real. My favourite songs include 'All Things Must Pass', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', plus many more.
  
  Debussy - Exceptional composer, his music has 'another world' quality, it is transportive and transformative, I always feel different after listening and playing some of his music, he is one of my favourite Romantic composers. Favourite pieces include 'Syrinx', 'Arabesque'.
  
  Johan Sebastian Bach - I cannot fail to mention the importance of his influence on violin playing. I love to play Bach as much as possible. I feel a great sense of release, a sharper more focussed mind set, (it's like going for a jog but on violin), I would be curious as to what sort of personality he would have had. I am sure that he would have been good company! Pieces I like, 'A minor Concerto', 'Sonatas and Partitas'.

• Provide an anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  When I was a teenager and exploring my other musical talents, apart from classical violin, I discovered the electric guitar and effects pedals. I brought my electric guitar amp and pedals to school one day and was playing to a few friends on my Thrash Master when in walked my violin teacher wanting the room to teach classical violin ….oops he wasn't impressed! However, I went on to combine my skills on guitar onto the electric violin, so the knowledge I gained from experimenting with effects pedals was really useful later on. I suppose the moral of my tale is, don't be afraid to experiment as you never know where it will take you in future.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  Energetic and dynamic teaching approach, no two lessons are the same. I have a lot experience teaching online. My lessons are fun and tailored to the student. I have a huge collection of music to share. I love teaching and breaking down boundaries to anyone who wishes to learn this fantastic instrument. If you are keen to learn..well then you shall… and I will teach you!