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Many parents and pupils ask me the same questions, so I've put the most important ones on this page. 
I would like my child to learn the violin. Does he or she need her own instrument? 
Yes. You will need your own instrument (or a hired instrument from a violin shop) for your child to regularly practise at home if you wish him or her to make any progress with your studies.
Do you have a violin my child can use just for the first lesson?
I have small violins in the following sizes which can be used for the very first lesson only: 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2. (You won't be able to take it home). After the first lesson, you are required to buy or hire a properly set up violin in the correct size, ideally from a specialist violin dealer.

“Better a year too long on too small an instrument
than a day too early on a too large one."
(attrib. Qui van Woerdekom, leading Dutch violin pedagogue, professor and specialist in violin methodology)

What size violin does my child need?
It is extremely important to get a violin which is not too big for your child. Arm length is what matters, not the child's age. As you get your child's feet measured - not stating their age - when buying new shoes for him/her, measure your child's arm length to get the correct size violin.

Particularly in general music shops, the shop assistants sometimes say the child will be "fine" with or "grow into" a violin that is too large. If you are unsure, buy a size smaller than the shop recommends, ask if you can show the teacher the instrument first before committing to buy, or, if you can exchange it for another size if it's not the correct size. Most reputable violin dealers tend to offer this service. I will not be able to teach your child on a violin that is too big. Do not buy or hire a violin bigger than I recommend, even if the violin shop suggests a bigger size.
Picture
Please click on the picture to find out how to measure a child's arm length and choose the correct size violin.
While a parent may occasionally let a child use a shoe that’s still a little bit large and “grow into” it,  as a violin teacher I usually prefer a child to grow out of a violin while using it. The switch to the next size up is then really easy. If your child is “between” violin sizes, go for smaller, not bigger.

Don't forget the bow. If the child can't comfortably play to the tip of the bow without overreaching, the violin and bow size are probably too large.
Where can I buy or hire a violin that has been properly set up?

Please visit a proper violin dealer such as The Old Violin Workshop which is probably within easy reach of most of my local pupils. You will find violins that are properly set up, even the basic student models, unlike many violins purchased over the internet or in general music shops.
Other violin dealers are Matthew Coltman in Chiswick and Andrew Riley in Egham.
The Old Violin Workshop in Hampton Hill
The Old Violin Workshop on Hampton Hill High Street.
Please contact violin dealers directly for details of violin hire or purchasing.
I will be more than willing to help you find an instrument that is competitively priced and suitable for the playing level of your child and the correct size. Where possible, do not purchase an instrument I haven't seen, played and checked. In the past, I sometimes had to ask parents to return an instrument that was virtually  unplayable or too big. 
Why is it so important to get a properly set up violin, and will it be very expensive?
Specialist violin dealers set up even basic student violins to improve their playability. Many general music shops and internet sellers don't offer this service, and their violins often tend to have bridges that are too high or not curved properly, making playing with a clean sound hard or impossible, particularly for a beginner pupil. Often, pegs are either almost impossible to turn or too slippery, making tuning extremely difficult. Strings are often very cheap resulting in a not very nice, tinny sound. Usually, it is more expensive to set up a cheap, badly made violin properly than buying from a violin shop in the first place.
Essential violin accessories:
Links are for illustrational purposes and busy parents. But all violin related items are also available also at the Old Violin Workshop in Hampton Hill. Their service is great and they're local. Please support them if you can!
  1. I Can Read Music Violin Book 1
  2. Kerstin Wartberg Step by Step 1A
  3. A First Violin Note Book: Practical Theory for Beginners  followed by A further Violin Note Book
  4. My First Note Reading Book with CD
  5. My First Technique Book 
  6. ABRSM Initial Violin Pack 2020 - 2023
Do you teach in schools and can my child have violin lessons at school?
I also teach at St James's Catholic Primary School in Twickenham.  It may be possible to add your child to my school teaching timetable. Please contact me for further details.
How long and how frequent are the lessons?
Children: Most beginners and most children under the age of 9/10 or below Grade 4 standard have a weekly 30  minute lesson, some a 45 minute lesson weekly.
Children are required to attend lesson every week during term time.
From about Grade 5 level and up, or for older children, 45 or 60 minute lessons are recommended.
Timetable permitting, it is possible to have two lessons a week or, for more advanced students, a 90 minute lesson.
Adults: I offer more flexible arrangements for adult pupils. Most adult students have fortnightly lessons ranging between 30 and 60 minutes in length. Some adults wish to have "refresher" lessons for a limited period of time. Currently, I am unable to take on more adult students. Please contact me if you wish to be added to the waiting list.
Do you offer group lessons or are the lessons one-to-one?
I don't offer group lessons for my private students. All my home pupils have individual lessons. However, ensemble playing for pupils of roughly similar standard can be arranged and is encouraged, in addition (but not as a substitute!) to one-to-one lessons.
In some of the schools, paired lessons are offered for pupils of similar level and age, but I don't teach more than two pupils at a time.
My child already has lessons with another teacher. Can he/she have lessons with you at the same time?
If you consider moving teachers, I am happy to meet you for a trial lesson with me. After that, you can decide if you would like to continue lessons with me or stay with the current teacher. If you decide to start lessons with me, I would strongly discourage having two teachers at the same time as pupils can often receive conflicting information due to different teaching styles. Teachers tend to explain in different ways and use different approaches, which may confuse a pupil. Also, different teachers may choose to work on different material, making it difficult or impossible for the pupil to practise the assignments set by both teachers. If you are happy with your current teacher, I would suggest you stay with them. Having said that, I do of course encourage suitable pupils to participate in masterclasses, chamber music courses and children's, youth or amateur orchestras.
Do you prepare pupils for graded violin exams?
 Yes. I have experience of both the Trinity and ABRSM syllabuses and encourage suitable pupils who practise regularly to sit the examinations when they are ready. Regular daily practise is expected from all pupils, but especially from those wishing to work towards exams. 
When is my child ready to take the next graded exam?
Pupils must be able to play their scales and the required three pieces fluently by the closing date. 
Do you teach pupils who don't wish to take graded exams?
Of course. Graded exams are in no way compulsory and don't even exist in many countries. Some pupils prefer to work on repertoire which doesn't feature in any exam syllabus. Others like to learn the pieces and scales but prefer not to actually take the exam. Not every grade has to be taken. Especially talented students who practise a lot often skip the early grades. Building up good technique and repertoire is far more important than to play the next three exam pieces. 
Pupils Concerts & Festivals

All pupils, regardless of their age or level, are expected and encouraged to take part in pupils concerts.

Suitable pupils will be selected and prepared for participation in Festivals (competitions).