Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

Violin Supplies for Students (and some fun ones too!)

Purple Star emoji 27 items
A collection of violin teaching ideas, resources, and supplies based on years of experience in the classroom. These are practical tools and approaches that support consistent progress and confident playing. (Some links may be affiliate links, which ...
Sections
6
 
 
 
 
 
 

Teaching Vibrato

All students want to learn vibrato, why not make it fun? I only share products I genuinely like. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 
Kelly Splear profile picture
The vibrato breakthrough you’ve been waiting for! Mini pull-back cars build relaxed shifting and beautiful vibrato motion in a fun, memorable way. Hands down, the best way to teach vibrato!
50 Pcs Mini Pull Back Cars for Fun Lessons
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple and fun practice motivator. I’ve used Tic Tacs as a lighthearted incentive during vibrato training — encouraging students to take one mint at the start of practice and focus on consistent, relaxed motion. Associating repetition with a small ...
Tic Tac Mints for Vibrato Practice

Bow Helpers

Cut back on frustration by using these helpful bow tools! I only share products I genuinely like. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple but effective training aid for young violin students. The Bow-Right helps shape a relaxed, properly curved bow hold and supports healthy technique from the beginning. When students build good habits early, everything else becomes easier — to...
Violin Bow Trainer – 1/4–1/2 Size
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple support tool that helps shape a healthy bow hold from the start. It guides the fingers into a more natural position and encourages relaxed control of the bow. Great for beginners who benefit from tactile reminders while building strong funda...
Stringvision Bowgrip (Violin/Viola/Cello)
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A bow upgrade can make a significant difference in tone, articulation, and overall control. When a student has a reasonably solid instrument but isn’t ready (or able) to upgrade the violin itself, improving the bow is often the smarter first step. Th...
CodaBow Diamond NX Carbon Fiber Violin Bow
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A creative, budget-friendly solution for improving bow hold comfort. Placing a soft cushion where the pinky rests can help students feel more secure and relaxed, especially in the early stages of developing hand shape. In some cases, I also use one n...
Corn Cushions for Bow Grip Support
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple but highly effective visual training tool. I use colored tape on the bow to teach bow division and control. For example, students may be instructed to “stay between the red tape” or “use the full bow from blue to blue.” Color markers help st...
Colored Tape for Bow Division Training

Practicing is Fun!

Practice can be fun with the right tools! I only share products I genuinely like. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple but essential tool for quieter practice. This rubber practice mute reduces volume significantly, making it ideal for apartment living or late-night playing. I also like using practice mutes to encourage longer bow strokes — students often fe...
Violin Practice Mute (4/4 Size)
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
Rosin plays a critical role in tone production — it directly affects grip, clarity, articulation, and the overall response of the bow on the string. Higher-quality rosin often produces a smoother, more refined sound with less dust and more consistent...
Tartini Rosin for Violin Soloist
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
Metronome practice can be a challenge for students — especially when the sound is too soft or easy to ignore. Connecting a phone to a portable Bluetooth speaker instantly makes metronome work clearer and more engaging. The stronger sound helps studen...
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple but powerful tool for building repetition into practice. I use small 4-piece puzzles to help students understand that progress requires repeated effort. Each time a student plays a measure or section correctly, they place one puzzle piece. W...
4-Piece Puzzle for Practice Repetition
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple game that transforms repetition  for accuracy into engagement. I use Tic Tac Toe during lessons as a structured reward system: each correct play-through earns the student a move. If they play accurately again, they may place another piece before the teacher adds theirs. This format ...
Wooden Tic Tac Toe for Practice Accuracy
placeholder
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A versatile visual tool for structured practice tracking. I use counting bears in multiple ways during lessons and home practice — assigning different colors for scales, etudes, solo work, repetition goals, or accuracy targets. Students move or earn ...
Counting Bears for Practice Tracking

Instrumental Hold

Who doens't love little plush animals or squishy creatures? These help students and bring joy at the same time.   I only share products I genuinely like. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A fun and surprisingly effective posture tool.  Enjoyable and engaging. I have students place a small squishy toy on their instrument while playing. The goal is simple: keep the “little creature” balanced. If the scroll dips or posture collapses, the toy falls — giving instant visual feedback with...
Mini Squishy Toys for Posture Training
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A simple plush toy can become a powerful tactile teaching aid. Whether used as a wrist-position reminder or a balance cue on the instrument, these mini plush animals provide immediate, lighthearted feedback that supports proper technique. Students ge...
Plush Toy for Left Wrist Helpers
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A playful but highly effective tactile reminder for left-hand technique. These plush slap bracelets can be worn on the wrist during practice to discourage collapse toward the neck of the violin. The gentle physical presence increases body awareness a...
Plush Wrist Slap Bracelet (Technique Reminder)

Recommended Books

Excellent repertoire for you and your students to choose from! I only share products I genuinely like. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 
Kelly Splear profile picture
must-have for beginning violinists, Solos for Young Violinists, Volume 1 is a carefully graded collection of early-level repertoire that builds confidence while introducing students to real musical expression. This book includes a mix of folk tunes a...
Solos for Young Violinists, Vol. 1
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
The gold standard for beginning violin students, Suzuki Violin School, Volume 1 introduces young players to music through a listening-based approach that builds strong fundamentals from the very start. With familiar melodies like Twinkle, Twinkle, Li...
Suzuki Violin School, Vol 1: Violin Part
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
Vamoosh Violin Book 1 is a fun, modern beginner method that gets students playing real music right away. With colorful layouts, engaging backing tracks, and a mix of classical, folk, and contemporary styles, this book keeps young violinists motivated...
Vamoosh Violin Book 1
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
Songs for Little Players is a charming and approachable collection designed especially for very young or early beginner violin students. With simple, short pieces and clear notation, this book helps students build confidence while developing basic te...
Songs for Little Players, Violin
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
Concert Tunes for Beginning Strings is a fantastic early ensemble collection that helps young players sound confident and cohesive right from the start. Designed with beginners in mind, these pieces are simple, well-structured, and perfect for buildi...
Concert Tunes for Beginning Strings Book 1 Violin
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A gentle continuation of Volume 1, this book offers slightly more developed pieces while keeping things simple and approachable for young beginners. It’s perfect for building confidence as students take their next steps in reading and playing. Slurs ...
Songs for Little Violin Players, Book 2
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A classic classroom method series that provides a structured, step-by-step approach for beginning string students. With clear progression and plenty of reinforcement, it helps build strong fundamentals in both technique and note reading.
All for strings
placeholder

2nd Year Books

The second year repertoire! I only share products I genuinely like. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 
Kelly Splear profile picture
Concert Tunes for Intermediate Strings is a fantastic early ensemble collection that helps young players sound confident and cohesive right from the start. Designed with beginners in mind, these pieces are simple, well-structured, and perfect for bui...
Concert Tunes Intermediate Strings Book 2 Violin
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A natural next step after Book 1, this volume builds on foundational skills while introducing longer pieces and more musical expression. Students continue developing tone, technique, and confidence through a structured, familiar progression.
Suzuki Violin School, Vol 2: Violin Part
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A great follow-up to Volume 1, this collection introduces slightly more advanced solos while continuing to build technique and musical expression. The pieces feel more like true repertoire, helping students grow in confidence and performance skills.
Solos for Young Violinists, Vol 2
 
Kelly Splear profile picture
A versatile duet collection that gives developing string players the chance to play together in a fun and approachable way. With flexible instrumentation, it works well for violin, viola, or cello pairings, making it perfect for lessons or small grou...
Beautiful Music for Two String Instruments, Bk 1