Essential String Accessories on a Budget

If you’re trying to start learning a string instrument on a budget, you’re not alone! Getting into classical music has always been expensive, and with everything jumping up in price, money is even tighter.

I am so thankful that my parents prioritized my music education and were able to get me the instruments that I really wanted to learn, take me to private lessons throughout my childhood, and even help with college to pursue classical music as a career.

I now teach private music lessons on viola, violin, and piano, and I know first-hand that music is an expensive thing to learn if you want to get really serious about it. I really wish it wasn’t that way.

But despite that, there are ways that you can bring the cost down.

My new series, Strings on a Budget, will go over the different aspects of a learning a string instrument and how you can save money. Today we’re focusing on getting string accessories on a budget. There are so many little things needed to play a violin, viola, cello, or bass, and some of these accessories are pricey! Let’s go over what’s worth it and what you can cut back on.

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First Things First: Getting Your Instrument

First things first, you’ll need an instrument.

A lot of music stores will have rental programs and a lot will have a rent to own option, where after making a certain number of payments, you can either own the instrument you’ve been renting or get a credit to purchase a different one. If you don’t have a lump sum of money to put down on an instrument, renting is a great option, especially if you can get into a rent to own program.

If you’re small when you start out, you’ll play on a smaller size instrument, and as you grow, you’ll eventually get to the full-size instrument. So, if you have a child that is learning a string instrument, you might not want to buy the first one or even the first couple instruments that they play on because they’ll only need those for a year or two until they grow. So, renting is a good option if you foresee a size upgrade in the future.

What Comes with a String Instrument?

The instrument that you rent or buy will most often come with a bow, a case, usually some complimentary rosin, and maybe even a cleaning cloth.

These are all essential accessories, and if you’re on a budget, the ones that come with your instrument should be good to use!

If you didn’t receive any of these accessories, keep reading for my recommendations for what to get when you’re on a budget!

Essential String Accessories on a Budget

Below are the main accessories you’ll want to have as a string musician. I’m not going to talk about bows or cases today because while they’re essential, they can be a topic all on their own, and you’ll more than likely receive a bow and case with your instrument!

Rosin

Rossin is essential when you’re playing a string instrument because it provides the grip needed on the bow hair to actually get some friction against the strings.

Some very cheap rosins just do not work very well. So, if you get a rosin with your instrument from a music store or online, test it out and see how it sounds. If the instrument sounds absolutely awful (and you feel like it’s not your playing), then the rosin can sometimes be the issue.

A lot of people starting out don’t know this, but when you get a fresh cake of rosin, it’ll look shiny. Although rosin looks beautiful when it’s untouched, we need it to powder up onto the string.

You’ll want to score the rosin with a knife or something sharp to get the dust started. If you don’t do this, it’s going to take a while for the rosin to start actually working. I always score up my new rosin first to get it started so that it takes a lot less rosin to get a sound on my instrument.

Rosin prices generally range from $5-60, and there are good and bad rosins at every price point.

I personally use Motrya Gold rosin on my viola, and I’ve had this particular cake since 2018 or so.

Even as a professional, it takes a while to get through rosin! If you’re careful with your rosin and don’t drop it (it can shatter), it can last for a really long time!

I’ve been using Bernardel rosin for my violin, and since I don’t perform on my violin, I’ve hardly put a dent in this rosin over the last year!

These are two reliable rosins that help create a great sound. As long as you’re careful with your rosin and don’t drop it and break it, it can last a long time meaning that it’s not a bad investment!

Cleaning Cloth

An important part of having a string instrument is maintaining it. They’re expensive to buy and expensive to fix, so be careful with it!

Rosin will solidify on an instrument if it’s left there for a long time, especially if you live in a humid environment. Because of this, a cleaning cloth is essential.

I recommend using a microfiber cloth to clean your string instrument, but anything 100% cotton (and clean!) will work as well.

If you have any clean microfiber cloths in your home, they can be used on an instrument. You don’t even need to go out and buy one if you already have one! Just make sure that it hasn’t been used on anything like greasy or disgusting.

When you’re finished playing, wipe down the strings to get rid of all the rosin dust buildup. Strings are expensive, and the cleaner you keep them, the longer they’ll last!

Then, feed the cleaning cloth between the strings and the fingerboard to pick up any gunk there. Finally, wipe down the body of the instrument. Over time, rosin can really stick to the varnish and remove it from the instrument, leaving your instrument unprotected from the elements and sounding dull.

Tuner and Metronome

If you’re starting to learn a string instrument, you’ll want a tuner and a metronome to help you practice. Traditionally, these would be separate objects and then they were built into one unit that you would buy. Now we have apps, and there are a lot of great free apps out there!

For a tuner, I used to use Tuner Lite, a free app by Piascore. I would use the free version of Pro Metronome for my metronome.

For the last few years, my very favorite tuner and metronome app has been Tonal Energy. That one is $5.99, and I just made a video on it. Definitely check that out if you would like a paid app!

That being said, you can totally get by and even thrive using free apps. If you have a device that can use apps, then you can at least use a tuner and metronome for free!

Shoulder Rest

If you play an upper strings instrument, then you’ll probably want a shoulder rest. Some musicians choose not to play with one, but personally I feel a lot more comfortable using one. If you can, try out different shoulder rests when you first get your instrument so you can see what feels comfortable for you!

Sometimes very young kids will feel more comfortable not using a shoulder rest, or even using a small sponge. Shoulder rest sponges are usually $5 to $10, and you can even use a small sponge on a larger and larger instrument as long as it’s still comfortable.

Personally, my favorite shoulder rest is the Everest and although it’s not the cheapest shoulder rest, it’s by far not the most expensive. I highly recommend this one, and almost all music stores sell them.

I would say for shoulder rests, many options will be below $35. If you’re looking at something above that price point, there are usually cheaper options that work very similarly.

I do want to say, however, that if you’re having any physical discomfort and need a specific shoulder rest to help you feel better, don’t skimp on the price! Your comfort is very important.

Want to learn about other shoulder rests? Check out my post all about viola shoulder rests!

Strings

Strings can and will be a whole article just on their own, but to stay brief, strings are important. And, they’re stupid expensive!

Unfortunately my opinion is that you shouldn’t buy the cheapest strings out there. Many sets of cheaper strings just don’t have the same depth of tone as more expensive ones.

On the flip side, some of the most expensive strings just aren’t worth it, especially if you’re just playing as a hobby and don’t need to perform in a variety of environments.

I highly recommend Dominant strings to my violin and viola students because they generally sound good and are really reliable! They hold their tuning well and last for a long time. Unfortunately Dominant strings have shot up in price, so it’s becoming harder and harder for me to justify recommending them.

Need help changing your strings? I’ve got you covered (for free)!

Where to Save

Here’s where I think you can save when you’re shopping for string accessories on a budget:

• Free apps – don’t worry about buying a standalone tuner or metronome if you have a phone or tablet already! You can even find free apps that teach music theory and instruments!
• Microfiber cleaning cloths – they’re super easy to find at dollar stores, thrift stores, and maybe even in your own house! You don’t need to buy a fancy branded one from a music store.
• Rosin – if your instrument comes with a rosin that works, use that for as long as you can! If not, thankfully rosin isn’t super expensive, and it lasts a long time.

Where to Splurge

There unfortunately are some string accessories I wouldn’t cut corners on:

• Strings – Despite their price, the highest rated strings really are the best. While you probably don’t need the most expensive strings, good strings will last longer and sound nicer than cheaper brands!
• Shoulder rest – I wouldn’t cut corners on anything that helps you play more comfortable, like a shoulder rest, rock stop, or even a taller chin rest. Playing with a bad posture or any kind of discomfort can lead to injuries.

Bonus Tip: Sheet Music

I have one final bonus tip to share today!

If you need sheet music, go to imslp.org. Everything on the site is public domain, so it can be shared for free. You can download music from this site and play it on a phone, tablet, or computer, or print it out.

So, if you need some music and you can’t afford books or to buya hard copy, see if it’s on IMSLP! If you’re not looking for anything in particular, you can search by category on their site and find some great music based on any parameter you’d like!

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Although playing a string instrument can be expensive, there are ways you can cut the costs down. Knowing where you can and can’t cut corners is so helpful to be able to make really good, informed decisions with your budget.

If you have any questions about getting started as a strings player on a budget, please leave them down below or message me on Instagram. I’ll see you soon with Part 2 all about buying strings on a budget!