<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Violin Lessons]]></title><description><![CDATA[High Level Violin Lessons for children ages 4 - 18 years]]></description><link>https://www.laurablanchardviolin.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 07:59:16 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.laurablanchardviolin.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Pressure of Exams in Music and Learning to Enjoy It Again]]></title><description><![CDATA[There’s this point I see a lot where music starts to feel less like something students are just doing for fun and more like something they are constantly being measured on. Exams especially ABRSM exams can sometimes quietly turn it into pressure without anyone really meaning to. In theory exams are actually fine. They give structure something to aim for and some students really like that. But I also think somewhere along the way the original reason for playing music like curiosity sound just...]]></description><link>https://www.laurablanchardviolin.com/post/the-pressure-of-exams-in-music-and-learning-to-enjoy-it-again</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a12e7e3d681fe01d165f9ff</guid><pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 12:05:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/867944_08223ca355e848b4bddfc1387a9dd418~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_667,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>laurablanny</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mischa Elman: A Violinist I Absolutely Love]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the violinists I genuinely love listening to — and always come back to — is Mischa Elman. I was first introduced to his playing by my own teacher, and I remember being completely struck by it. There was something about his sound that felt immediately different from anything I had heard before, and it has stayed with me ever since. There are many great violinists from the early 20th century, but Elman is one of those rare players whose sound feels completely unmistakable the moment you...]]></description><link>https://www.laurablanchardviolin.com/post/mischa-elman-a-violinist-i-absolutely-love</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a12dec98fa816dacc82faf2</guid><pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 11:21:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdsaGnPRT-o&amp;list=RDfdsaGnPRT-o&amp;start_radio=1" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>laurablanny</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Age Should a Child Start Violin Lessons?]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the questions I’m asked most often is when a child should begin violin lessons. It’s an understandable concern. The violin is a demanding instrument, and parents naturally want to ensure their child starts at a time when they will feel confident, supported, and able to progress well. In my experience, there is no single “correct” age. Children can begin at different stages and go on to develop beautifully as musicians. The more important factor is readiness rather than age alone, and...]]></description><link>https://www.laurablanchardviolin.com/post/what-age-should-a-child-start-violin-lessons</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a12d952a2438924d110f2a7</guid><pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 11:04:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/867944_e44cbff9d84a4410b4420a1a98404b59~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_247,h_320,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>laurablanny</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Music Aptitude Tests for Secondary School Entry in Hertfordshire: A Guide for Parents and Young Musicians]]></title><description><![CDATA[In Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, some secondary schools offer a small number of Year 7 places based on musical aptitude. These places are highly competitive and are awarded through a listening-based assessment designed to identify natural musical ability and musical potential. For families with children who show musical interest or talent, this can be an important part of the secondary school admissions process. What is a music aptitude test? Music aptitude tests are designed to assess...]]></description><link>https://www.laurablanchardviolin.com/post/music-aptitude-tests-for-secondary-school-entry-in-hertfordshire-a-guide-for-parents-and-young-musi</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0e48079209fbd4f4f2f35c</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 23:58:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/867944_e44cbff9d84a4410b4420a1a98404b59~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_247,h_320,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>laurablanny</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ABRSM violin lessons in London, St Albans, and Rickmansworth]]></title><description><![CDATA[Many students preparing for ABRSM exams take private violin lessons in London, St Albans, Rickmansworth, or online. A good teacher will help with: selecting appropriate exam pieces developing scales and technique improving sight-reading building confidence for performance Structured tuition is often the difference between struggling and progressing smoothly through the grades. Common challenges in ABRSM violin exams Students often find difficulty with: maintaining consistent intonation...]]></description><link>https://www.laurablanchardviolin.com/post/abrsm-violin-lessons-in-london-st-albans-and-rickmansworth</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0e3aec9209fbd4f4f2d9dc</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 22:54:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbca0e8478b544cb9bcc6bbbb01872dc.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_748,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>laurablanny</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>