Shawn Roberts, Director
Desk Phone: (757) 886-7600 ext. 49201
After-Hours Phone: (757) 528-2033
Email: shawn.roberts@nn.k12.va.us
Orchestra Supplies
In addition to your instrument, music folder, and music, you will need the following supplies: Rosin, wiping cloth, shoulder rest (violins and violas only), rock stop (cellos and basses only), and a chromatic tuner (7th and 8th grade intermediate and advanced students only). As well, it is recommended that you also get a folding wire music stand.
All of these items can be purchased from Music and Arts. See the information below to ensure you are getting exactly what you need!
Wiping Cloth
Rosin
Rosin is made from the resin of a tree (usually pine sap) and has been hardened into a "cake." This hardened cake of rosin is then rubbed over the bow to make the horsehair sticky. The horsehair can then cause friction against the strings, which causes them to vibrate, which is what causes noise on the instrument.
Violins, violas, and cellos can use basic rosin. Basses should use a much stickier rosin, called Pop's Bass Rosin.
The purpose of the wiping cloth is to wipe rosin off of the instrument without scratching the finish on the instrument. The wiping cloth should NOT be something that is expensive. In fact, if you have a very soft wash cloth at home, that will work just fine.
The Music Nomad All Purpose Cleaning Cloth is a good example of a wiping cloth that is not overly expensive.
Rock Stop
Cellos and Basses
ONLY
Shoulder Rest
Violins and Violas
ONLY
The shoulder rest is an important supply to have for playing the violin and viola. The shoulder rest fills in the natural space between the instrument and the shoulder. This allows the violinist or violist to play with better posture, and helps the instrumentalist to hold the instrument on the shoulder versus in the hand, allowing for better finger position and technique including vibrato and shifting.
The Everest Shoulder Rest is one of the most popular shoulder rests today. It offers the flexibility and comfort of a premium shoulder rest at an affordable cost. The linked shoulder rest is for violin only and is only available in black. Everest viola shoulder rests and different colored Everest shoulder rests can be ordered at Music and Arts in Kiln Creek (see below), or online at Amazon.
NOTE: The shoulder rest should be purchased based on the SIZE of the instrument. Violinist sizes will range between 3/4 and 4/4, while viola sizes will range between 14" and 15 1/2". If you do NOT know your instrument size, see Mr. Roberts before purchasing your shoulder rest!
The rockstop is placed on the floor underneath the cello or bass endpin to stop the instrument from sliding on the floor. There are all different colors of rock stops available from Music and Arts and Amazon.
It is important to get the right size rockstop. The cello rockstop's hole is smaller than the bass rockstop. Make sure to get the correct size.
Music and Arts Center
Located in Yorktown
in the Kiln Creek Shopping Center
209 Village Ave., Ste. I, Yorktown, VA 23693
(757) 988-3970 | http://www.musicarts.com
Wire Folding Music Stand
(Optional)
The Hamilton Wire Folding Music Stand is a cheaper music stand that you can fold up and take with you wherever you go. While it is possible to simply place your music on a table, or on the screen of your laptop, having an actual music stand will help student to play with proper posture, which will help them to become a better strings musician. While this is not a mandatory item to purchase, it is definitely an item that you should consider.
Digital Tuners
Intermediate / Advanced Students ONLY
Orchestra students who are at the advanced and intermediate levels will be learning how to tune their own instruments over the next few months. This is a long process, but once a student understands how to tune their own instrument, it is a technique that will help them for the rest of their musical career.
A digital chromatic tuner is required for students to begin the process of learning how to tune their instruments. While there are many digital chromatic tuners in the market, and many of them would be very appropriate for string instruments, I have provided several recommended options below.
Please be sure to have your digital chromatic tuner by the end of the second week of school.
Fender FT-004 Clip-on Chromatic Tuner
Korg CA-1Chromatic Tuner
Pro Tuner App - iOS Only
Gibson Tuner App - iOS and Android
From Music and Arts ONLINE ONLY
Product Cost: $8.99
Shipping: $4.98**
Tax: $0.84
Total Cost: $14.81
From Musicians Friend ONLINE ONLY
Product Cost: $8.99
Free Shipping
No Tax
Total Cost: $8.99
Tuner Application that can be downloaded for iOS devices only. This app has been used by Mr. Roberts for two years and will be good for tuning “on the go” wherever you’re at!
For more information, visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/protuner-chromatic-tuner/id445263436?mt=8
Total Cost: $0.99 (purchase from the App Store)
Can be purchased from Music and Arts by ordering ONLINE and picking up at the store (or call the store to see if they have it in stock).
FREE Tuner Application that can be downloaded for iOS or Android devices. This app will be good for tuning “on the go” wherever you’re at!
For more information, visit: http://www2.gibson.com/Community/Gibson-App.aspx
Total Cost: FREE (purchase from the App Store or the Android Store)