Advantages: Potentially beautiful sound
Disadvantages: The squealy noises to start off with

...I have been a musician for many years, you could say it is embedded as part of me as I can't go more than a day or two without trying a tune out on some instrument or another. In my time of musicianship I have dabbled on many instruments and the violin is still one of my favourite sounds. I have to confess that the piano is my first instrument, and I have never actually taken lessons for the violin, but have on the viola. So my violin playing is self taught from a combination of all these things. The viola is similar to the violin, a few inches bigger, and it's range is a fifth lower. Introduction ~~~~~~~~~ So, to recommend violin to a beginner? A common misconception is the idea that only classical music is played on the violin. In my years of playing I have come across a wide range of music available for the violin, indeed... Read review

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Advantages: At the end of the day everytime you play the violin you are rewarded with a beautiful pure sound
Disadvantages: Practise!!!!!!

...I saw the violin for the first time at a performance called shipwreck at the Anvil in Basingstoke, then I saw the violin again, the mellow sound tingled through my ears and seemed very relaxing and chilling. I soon began mimicking the violinist, my mum and dad noticed and asked whether I would like to play, just see how it goes, and if I didn’t like it I could quit. I went to our nearest music shop, Modern Music, www.modernmusic.co.uk, and asked to look at their list of violin teachers, then they recommended Kim Graham (water-witch is her username) Kim is an amazing music teacher, she has helped me the whole way, and I would definitely recommend her to anyone! I am now doing grade 6 and I enjoy the violin so much, I am participating in Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra (BAYO) currently and I audition for the Hampshire County... Read review

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Advantages: Mutter's eloquence and sensitivity in older recording are enhanced here.
Disadvantages: None at all!

...As a fantastically talented eighteen-year-old, Anne-Sophie Mutter already awed me with her sensitive and thoughtful eloquence in her 1981 recording of the Brahms violin concerto (with Herbert von Karajan directing the Berlin Philharmonic). However, there’s an even deeper understanding in Mutter’s reading of the Brahms piece on this newer disc. This performance was taped live at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, New York City, in 1997. Kurt Masur conducts the New York Philharmonic in particularly inspired fashion. A difference of fifteen years separates the two recordings. In the time between, she married, had children, and then was widowed at a very young age. When Mutter returned to her instrument, she would bring a greater strength, emotional depth and insight to her playing, lending a maturity and assuredness to her... Read review

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Advantages: Well worth learning
Disadvantages: can be a bit of a minefield.

...Whether it is for yourself or your offspring, buying your first violin can be a daunting prospect - how do you know what you will need? Hopefully, this will help. Before you go shopping, ask around - your teacher if you have one or anyone you know who plays the violin, if you can get a recomendation of a good shop, this will make your job easier. Better still, try to elicite the help of someone who alerady plays - the advice of someone who knows their stuff can be very reassuring, as well as useful. The violin - you can really spend as much or as little as you like - you can pick up second hand Chinese violins for very little (£40?) you can spend thousands. Obviously, if you are starting out, you won't want a hugely expensive instrument. Spend what you can afford. Make sure the body of the violin is in good shape - avoid anything... Read review

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Advantages: Encourages self discipline, can be fulfilling
Disadvantages: can be expensive

...I admit it- I am one of those responsible for teaching those little blighters to play the violin! The violin, it must be said has an unfortunate reputation. There are all those violin jokes about cats, earplugs etc. It is a shame. I actively encourage yougsters to try the violin. I always give a suitability assessment, and to be honest it is only very rarely that I find a child totally unsuitable.Most children can manage to achieve something if a few criteria are followed: 1: THE INSTRUMENT: Buy the best instrument you can afford. No, don't take out a loan on a strad- find out if your child is the next Nigel Kennedy first! However, there are some grim kits around for about £70. I refuse to teach on them. The bows don't play properly and they often break. The violins themselves mostly sound foul and are not properly set up... Read review

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Advantages: Have fun, great sense of achievement, opportunity to travel abroad
Disadvantages: cost, time to practise!

...I am one in a long line of a VERY musical family so I count myself lucky that I could have help from my mother (who is a very respected teacher of violin, piano, singing and theory lessons in Basingstoke and surrounding areas). I first started to learn at the age of 3 but after a few lessons of me hiding under a chair and refusing to come out whilst sitting on my hands my mum decided to take matters into her own hands and teach me herself. I have always been encouraged greatly by both my parents, my uncle and aunt and my granparents and my "talents" are still being pursued. One of the things that parents start to worry about when their child/children start to show a certain "attachment" to playing a musical instrument such as the violin is that every so often you have to purchase a new one due to the size of your child. I started... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, fun, nice sound, rewarding, you learn skills and discipline
Disadvantages: Quality of strings

...I actually bought this brand new and its a brilliant instrument, as i mentioned above the sound is very nice, its also very comfortable to play. Stagg seems to be good in providing cheap but quality instruments from about 50 pounds upwards they come with a decent case, bow, strap and resin. This is actually my 4th instrument i am learning but i'd say it was one of my favourites. Alot of people say learning the violin is horrible because of the sound it makes but i have not found any off this. I am teaching myself the violin and there are plenty of rescources to do this, it actually seems a fairly common thing to do. Playing an imstrument helps with many skills such as listening and rhythm. It also helps (especially with children) to teach one discipline and time management. I didnt start any instruments till i was 14 and there are pros... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to park , smooth , comfortable , air conditioning
Disadvantages: boot too small

...The Suzuki Jimny I'm going to review is the 1.3 JLX What a fantastic little vehicle the suzuki jimni is. My family have had a few 4x4s all of different makes but there isn't one that compares to this little wonder on wheels. As we live in a remote area with a steep hill to climb in winter this is the only vehicle to get us home and dry.Others we have had to abandon and walk home on more than one ocasion. During a day out to a sheepdog trials on a wet summers evening where the ground was extremely muddy. 4 x 4s were getting stuck one after the other.The only one which was sailing by was my dad in his suzuki. Some of the owners of the great big expensive 4 x 4s used to snigger at this little box - they soon stopped laughing when they were the one's walking up the field. *Appearance * A compact little vehicle in a two... Read review

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Advantages: Big car feel, small car price.Well finished
Disadvantages: More expensive than others in class

...Welcome to my review for the Suzuki Wagon R+ 1.2. If you're wondering why i am able to write reviews on so many different cars, its simple...... I've worked in the Car auction and Car hire business, so have driven too many cars to mention. Ciao suggests being factual, so i'll use headings, and be as easy to understand as possible. Reliability This car is very reliable and Suzuki are making great efforts to ensure that their cars meet the same high standards as their motorbikes.The engine is quiet and unassuming, with enough power for motorway trips. Safety The Wagon+ is well built and has a host of safety features as standard.ABS, Passenger and Drivers airbags are all present. Car handles well, and feels as big and as safe as a Golf-sized car. Spaciousness Large cabin at the expense of some boot space. Easily... Read review

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Advantages: So well made, petrol, alot really
Disadvantages: Basic. Very basic.

...The Suzuki SJ410 is the cheaper 4x4 off road vehicle. They date back from around the 1984 mark, and were made alongside the SJ413 and Samurai. The SJ410 features a 1.0 petrol engine, with a total displacement of 970cc. It is a 4-wheel drive vehicle, making it suitable for both off and on road driving. So, here goes... ENGINE The SJ410 has a 1.0 petrol engine, as mentioned above. It is a small engine, as you can imagine, so qualifies for cheap Tax and Insurance. These engines aren’t that good, certainly compared to most other Suzuki’s ever made. It is a more traditional carburetor engine, instead of fuel injection and electronic fuel injection which most modern cars do have. The optional 4-wheel drive is controlled by a second gearstick next to the main one. The engine has no fancy features, like power steering or cruise... Read review

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