By Laurie Niles: Is playing violin an activity for the rich?![violin and money]()
It's a legitimate question, once you start adding up the costs of the instrument itself, instrument upkeep and repair, lessons and school fees, sheet music, memberships in organizations, new strings, bow rehairs, accessories, etc. It's not difficult to run a very high bill!
For example, I know that during the seven years when I was paying off my violin loan, that monthly number was quite high. That's not to mention the cost to my parents during the years I took private lessons as a child and the years I went to college for music. Now that I'm a teacher and a professional musician, I still spend quite a lot on memberships to various organizations and the musicians union, not to mention those basic costs like strings, bow rehairs, etc.
What would you estimate that you spend per month, on average, on playing your instrument? The vote has amounts in US $, here is a link to a currency converter if you need to figure that out for the vote. Please give us your answer, and then tell us a little bit about both the regular and exceptional expenses that you (or your parents) have taken on as part of your commitment to play a stringed instrument (or as part of your commitment to help a child learn to play).
Thank you to Margriet Snellen for the idea for this week's vote. I always welcome your ideas! If you have one, please click here to e-mail me.You might also like:
