In the early 20th century, there was equality in respect and pricing among violins from Italy, France, UK and Germany, but after World War I, when Schonback became part of the Czech Republic, they became the cheap product of commercial instruments and their neighbor, Markneukirchen, German instruments imported parts and by associate also became viewed as "cheapened." France concentrated on Germany's problems and established inroads in US and Europe markets. As World War II developed, many of the prominent Jewish musicians that had promoted German makers were forced from their positions, which led to boycotts of German goods by overseas Jewish clients. Many German makers' livelihoods disappeared. After war prejudices remained for many years, but by the 1960s, the German craftman's respect began emerging. This leads "Old German instruments as a tremendous investment because they combine quality woods and workmanship in an old (and therefore well played in) package and for an affordable sum." (from The Strad Magazine, March 2014.)

Golden Music has numerous German violins starting at under $1,000 up to several thousand dollars.  Until June 30th, everything is 30% off ($300-$2,500 off!). Most can be purchased on the rent-to-own program for a low monthly amount. The German violin shown here is the Karl Muller copy stock #4730 for $1595 on sale for $1016!

We thought it would be good for our customers to see more on the inside workings of Golden Music as well as all the different things we are up to these days. This two minute video goes over it. We hope you enjoy it!

1. Sit up straight. In fact, it's easiest to play with a good tone while standing. Make sure your back is straight up and down when you are sitting and don't slouch! Turn your body at a slight angle so that you don't have to reposition your neck to see the music stand clearly.
2. Hold your instrument in the proper position. You've probably been told this at least a thousand times, but it can affect your tone if you hold it too low. Don’t collapse your stomach area and cannot take a proper breath or support the tone.
3. Breathe correctly. Take a deep breath with your belly, not your upper torso, before playing. You should see your belly physically expand.
4. Listen to your tone. You can probably fix things yourself. Just think about sounding resonant and full. Imagine that you are vibrating the whole length of your instrument.
5. Remember to support the air stream. In-tune notes always sound better, mainly in ensemble settings.
6. Know that better tones on certain notes will come with time and familiarity. As you become more familiar with lower and higher notes on the instrument, your tone will improve on them as well. Don't just assume that time will solve everything however. It takes practice too!
7. Use vibrato on longer notes. Vibrato is a technique in which the player pitch bends very fast. Act like you are whispering "ha, ha, ha" and try to play a note. It might sound unnatural at first, so practice until it is natural and even. Vibrato is a good technique that will create interest on longer notes and mask tuning inconsistencies as well. The speed of the vibrato depends upon the effect you are trying to achieve; a faster vibrato often portrays a more intense feeling, while a slower vibrato is more soothing.
8. Have your instrument serviced regularly. An instrument that works better has a better tone. Period. If a key is leaking, the rods are misaligned, or your instrument is ailing in any other way, that will negatively affect your tone. Have your instrument checked at a music store.
9. Get a better instrument. The quality of the metal (whether nickel, silver, or even gold) and the craftsmanship that went into making a wind drastically affect its tone. If you have a beginner's instrument consider buying a new one. Professional and intermediate instruments are crafted more precisely, and it is easier to get a good tone on many notes. Paraphrased from Wikihow

“If you intend to have a good sound, the right Instrument is an absolute must.”

1. Start off with a decent beginner Instrument from a reputable brand, preferably made of brass with a lacquer finish. Silver plating is much too expensive for a beginning instrument.
2. Decide if you're ready for a new Instrument. If you have been playing for 2 or 3 years on the same horn and have improved then, yes, you may be ready for a new Instrument, especially if your instrument is a basic or student Instrument. If you haven't been playing for that long, and there is very little need for you to purchase a new Instrument, hold off for a little while.
3. Determine what level of Instrument to buy. An intermediate Instrument will usually have more resistance in the upper register to prevent the player from over-blowing and ruining his/her chops. A professional instrument, depending on the model, will have little to no resistance, but will cost more.
4. Check your budget. Most step-up Instruments, though, are around one or two thousand dollars.
5. Do research. Learn about what particular types of Instrument are considered better by the Instrument-playing community. Many Kings, for example, are considered next to useless, although they may catch your eye for having large designs of roses etched into the bell. The Yamaha horns are regarded as some of the best available because of their quality, consistency, tone and economical pricing. Paraphrased from Wikihow

This is a Beautiful Decorated Violin - thought to be made in the Bohemia region, German in the 1920s. It was restored at Golden Music by our German Luthier Thomas Hummel (he works for 8 weeks in our shop every year - pictured below). Thomas brings the European Tradition to Colorado. It not only looks beautiful but has great sound. It is a Master Level 4 so is $3600 on sale through June 30^th for $2420!

One of the most beautiful gardens in Boulder

We have been playing eclectic summer concerts at the home of Bev and Rose Robinsons' now for several years. This concert series has GROWN! In order for everyone to see and experience the music firsthand, we have expanded to 2 afternoons with LIMITED seating. So RSVP NOW!!

What: A fun group of musicians playing 'Not Your Typical' Chamber Music! Classical, Folk, Jazz and Flamenco sensibilities melding everything from Old English Folk tunes, Debussy and Faure, Barber to Gypsy Jazz- Chic Corea and Ralph Towner as well as a few originals. Tea, Lemonade, Cookies and Treats served-Wine available also

Dark, warm mellow beautiful rich golden red flamed two piece back

Intro to Romanian Violins = Reghin and Claudio Ciurbin

Where to begin about Romania?  Our first trip there in 2006 included a lot of sight seeing, we traveled down with guides from Hungary to Transalvania, saw the rural Romanian lifestyle – still farming and living off the land and had many adventures. We visited the Gliga factory, the large operation that began after World War II in an airplane factory. Gliga is a high volume producer of violins and not exactly where Golden Music finds its best instruments. In comes Claudio Ciurbin. Claudio was trained as a Master Luthier in Cremona which is a green light in the first place, but he is Romanian and returned to Reghin to develop his craft and workshop.

The town of Reghin is pretty tiny, about 30,000 people, but the majority work on violins!  It is rumored that the wood used in some of the most famous violins of all time came from the forests near Reghin.

We bought violins there from Claudio, his friends Mark and Fritzy, and a few others.  They are always very lively, raw and speak well. I’d say we have had about 50 from there in total. The violin I play at home (I'm studying violin now but am mainly a pianist) is Romanian. We buy everything that Fritzy makes and many of you have his instruments as they sell as soon as we get them in! We just got four in and they are being prepared for the store now.

April 24, 2013 Music Day at the Capitol, Denver Colorado

After interviewing numerous legislator about their interest in music education and finding they all really support it, it seems the problem is a lack of communication. If the kids love music in schools, the parents love music in schools, the teachers want music in schools, and we found the school administrators want music in schools, and legislators want it… what is the problem? Perhaps there is a communication breakdown? We scheduled a day where kids, parents, teachers and legislators can come together. We rented the church right across the street from the capitol because of their nice space. The basement there has a nice stage, audio equipment, warm up rooms, parking, etc. and is affordable. We advertised the event to all schools in the area. We have 8 schools come with over 200 kids! Fox 31 News came and filmed the event. Twenty legislators and/or their staff came for the free lunch we gave them. Over the noon hour, we had speakers address the legislators on their topics of concern and music education in general. We had representatives from Colorado ASTA (the President), CMEA (the membership chair), and Great Ed Colorado all speak. The kids came on buses and all had a free tour of the capitol to boot. It was a great civic lesson for them. All-in-all, it was a resounding success and we plan to do it again in the future.

In April 2014, I met with John Epps, Denver County Schools Arts Coordinator. We discussed his challenges in the Denver Schools with the Arts. We visited his offices where they have all the costumes for the County as well,as all the props (see pictures). Golden Music donated 10 violins to John valued at over $7,000 as well as accessories. When I saw the shelf for the music supplies, I was shocked! There was two cakes of rosin and three old worn our shoulder rests! He came by a few days later and we filled them up with stuff we had. Denver Public Schools has 83,000 students at 185 schools: 85 elementaries, 18 K-8, 4 K-12, 26 Middle Schools, 14 6-12^th grade schools and 35 High Schools. It’s not a small district. Seventy-two percent of it’s students are on Free and Reduced Lunch, so it’s not a rich district. There are 15,000 employees.  They feed 20,000 breakfasts per day, 46,000 lunches, and 5,200 snacks. So that is 60,874 free lunches per day… sounds more like a food service rather than a school! Anyway, the music programs are on the upswing with the county putting resources toward them.

We fought it for 18 months, but forces stronger than us were in action.  We felt the Golden Bowl was something good for a community, good for people to come together and spend time in a simple, fun way.  Of course, it needed remodeling, of course, it needed updating…  Having been a neighbor of the bowling alley for 17 years, through four owners, I’d say that the fault lies in the last two landlords who bought the property just for the purpose of demolition.  They didn’t run the bowling alley themselves, but planned to tear it down to sell for development purposes.  Why would they want to put money into making it nicer?  That wouldn’t make sense, but that’s exactly what it needed, a caring touch.  Golden folks support businesses like the Golden Bowl, but they need to be clean, wholesome, family places.  Not that the Golden Bowl wasn’t wholesome, but it needed some remodeling.  We put an offer in to buy it but it was not accepted. In our other attempts to keep it as a bowling alley, we contacted the city numerous times with no avail, the Park and Recreation board, no luck, our city councilers, no response, GURA – encouraged us to move, etc.    We support Natural Grocers and love their stores and wish them the best.