Source: Wikihow
- Before reading the rest of this how-to, please recognize that the prices of products and services, as well as whom the child studies with and where he goes for a summer session, start out at basic and go upwards. The topics listed in this section are for developing upper-intermediate to incredibly skilled players. Your child will most likely not start out this way.
- Gather funds. Like golf, playing the violin, cello, or viola tends not to be a blue-collar sport. You can expect to eventually be spending upwards of $100 a week for lessons alone, in addition to $3,000 - $5,000 for summer festivals and around $7,000 - 10,000 for a basic full-size student instrument (a playable one, that is). If you can't afford the prohibitive cost, look for scholarships: many programs, like Project STEP, exist to provide lessons and/or instruments to students. Also, many community members enjoy the chance to sponsor a young performing artist.
- Do your homework. Teachers should have a good pedigree, and should work well with your child. The surest way to find a good teacher is to contact a music conservatory - most have preparatory divisions.
- Create an environment of learning. Play classical music constantly. Also, read, read, read. Must-have staples for a basic music library include a good encyclopedia of music, "Nurtured by Love" by Shin'ichi Suzuki, "Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique" by Pedro de Alcantara, "The Art of Practicing" by Madeline Bruser, "Basics" and "Practice" by Simon Fischer, and "Principles of Violin Playing and Teaching" by Ivan Galamian. These books are beneficial for all string instrumentalists.
- Invest in Alexander Technique lessons. It makes a world of difference when one is one's of their body while practicing.
- Send your child to reputable summer institutes. Some good ones include: Encore School for Strings, Meadowmount, and the Heifetz International Music Institute.
- Listen to "From the Top" on NPR. It should give you an idea on what children with the best musical training and work ethic end up sounding like.
- Encourage your child to excel in other things, too. Music should enrich life, not consume it.
- Make sure that your child practices his/her instrument REGULARLY at least for and hour a day.
- If your child is old enough, have him/her audition for youth orchestras, they are always a very good learning experience.
- Don't push too hard. A happy child is always better than a trophy child.