Lessons, Sales & Service Since 1986

Welcome to the Sweet Music Shop!

I have a BA in music from Hampshire College and a certificate in violin from the New England Conservatory of Music. I opened my shop in 1986.   I offer a variety of bows, instruments and accessories for sale at affordable prices.

If you are looking for Bow Hair, I highly recommend Michael T Sowden and Sons from the UK.  I have sold my business and am no longer providing that service.  If you have problems with your account, or questions about payments or other business, please speak to the new owners at keenemusic@gmail.com

Here you will find a selection of accessories, musical instruments that can't be found nearby, violin bows and sheet music or books that I recommend to my students.  (If these can be found locally, I generally prefer that you buy them from the local businesses than from me.)

 

Violin Bows

I am the inventor of the Fiddler's Bow, a carbon graphite bow for fiddlers.  I also have several beautiful wooden bows from Horst John, TwoTree and Arcos Brazil.

Pictures and recordings are available by request.  I can also play them for you over the phone or internet if you like.

  • The Fiddler's Bow - Original ---------->>> Ask
  • The Fiddler's Bow - Legacy -------------->>> I have several in stock.  The Retail price is $259.  You may pick one up here and save $25 shipping.
  • TwoTree Violin Bow ------------->>> I have 3 in stock.  The Retail price is $189.  You may pick one up and save $25 shipping
  • TwoTree Fiddler's Bow ---------->>> Ask
  • Other Bows - I have several viola and cello bows.  ---------->>> Ask

Five String Violins

My exploration into the world of Five String Violins began in 1998.  I had been invited to perform in the World Music Festival at the Great Pyramids in Egypt with my Celtic and Klezmer band Fiddle Hill.  I needed something electric that could easily be plugged into a sound system, also something I didn't worry too much about as I traveled to this strange and foreign land.  At the time, very few music stores carried them.  I eventually found one made by Strauss, a Korean company, on Ebay.  I purchased it and learned how to play it well within time for the trip to Cairo.

Since then, I have deeply explored the world of Five String violins and violas.  I have met and discussed the topic with luthiers from Chicago, San Francisco, South Korea, Japan and China.  The five strings I carry are made for me in a violin shop outside of Beijing.  They are quite beautiful to look at and the tone is exceptional.  I carry two models: a standard 14" violin and a 15.5" viola.  Both have the low C string and the high E string.

Pictures and recordings are available by request.  I can also play them for you over the phone or internet if you like.

  • Five String Violin.  I have two in stock.  The Retail price is $759
  • Five String Viola.  I have one in stock.  ---------->>> Ask

Accessories & Sheet Music

I carry a stock of rosin, shoulder rests, fittings, picks, strings, tuners and other accessories for fiddlers, mandolin and guitar players.  As always, I prefer that you try to find these items at your local music store, but if you can't, let me know and I will get it for you.  I also have an account with Hal Leonard Publishing and Mel Bay, so I can get just about any sheet music or music book you need.  Check first with Downtown Sounds or Fretted Instruments before asking.