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FAQ
Please reach me at sj@sjviolin.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Rates with me are based on three key details:
1. The portion of the event you’d like music for (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception/dinner, or a combination).
2. The duration of the performance.
3. Location for the performance.
I've seen many musicians intentionally or unintentionally use their entire playing timeline as their "playing experience". I believe this is an extremely misleading practice and makes it sound like they have decades of playing experience while only being in their 20's still. I, on the other hand, list my playing experience strictly as the time since I've launched my own solo career in 2002 since this is what I offer now. Prior to this, I played regularly with a string quartet and with different combinations of musicians.
No, I do not pro-rate my services based on lesser playing time. You must pick at least the ceremony package for a wedding. When you book me for a wedding, I have to reserve the date, practice the music, purchase any additional music, pack my equipment, travel to the location, and set up and tear down. It is not just 15 min for me! This policy also applies to any waiting time. e.g. waiting during the ceremony, waiting for cocktail hour, traveling between venues, etc.
Yes! I can walk around while playing, however, I can't have all my songs memorized since my list is really long, so I still need to look at my music every once in a while.
An electric violin sounds well, electric. It still sounds like a violin for the most part but the benefit is being able to completely control the volume output and add sound effects. It is more suitable for pop, dance, hip-hop, and R&B music. I use it mostly for cocktail hours and parties.
I also use a plug-in acoustic violin. It produces a nice rich tone with the added benefit of amplification. Ideal for outdoor ceremonies as well as large spaces.
I have a powerful Fishman Loudbox Performer Amp (115 db) as well as 2 battery powered JBL speakers that can last up to 4 hours unplugged. This makes it ideal to play outdoors as well as indoors. This combination allows me to play in any space, small or large, indoors and outdoors.
Aside from weddings and everything that goes with them, I play for anniversary dinners, proposals, birthday parties, romantic dinners, baptism and 1st communions, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate dinners and galas, Christmas/Holiday parties, and many more. Your can book me for any event, big or small.
I travel all over Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario.
I charge the current national mileage rate plus a small hourly fee for any distance further than 20 miles away from my home. Contact me for a custom quote.
It's not a straight answer. I can copy most players. However, each musician has their unique style/sound, and it might be difficult to replicate it exactly the same way. I also have my own artistic touch on my music and I would encourage you to entrust me with that part.
Yes, I do not play any kind of fiddle music whether Irish, country, or blue-grass. If you have any specific style of music that you wonder if I could play, just ask before you make your booking.
Yes! I actually started playing more Arabic music in the last year or so and I have been adding more Arabic songs to my list- which has grown significantly. Check out my Arabic song list at the bottom of my playlist page.
Yes, I know and collaborate with many excellent musicians in the area. I can have a pianist, a string duo, trio, quartet. Just reach out and I can find the right instrumentation for your need.
Yes, I have played with DJs before. The ability to improvise on the spot with another musicians or a DJ is actually one of my strong suits. We also can pre-plan the songs that we want to play. All I'll need is an empty channel on the DJs sound board to plug into and I will be good to go!
The violin is a beautiful instrument however, it is rarely enjoyable by itself. Even in early classical music, the violin was always either a part of an ensemble, or it was always accompanied by either a piano or an entire orchestra! Fast forward to the 21st century and just like with a singer that uses a band or electronic music to accompany them, a violin covering modern songs will not sound great by itself. Backing tracks are that same background music that accompanies the violin. I still play all the vocal parts on the violin live, and the backing track covers the drums, bass, and any other parts that are not vocals in the song. Imagine me bringing extra musicians to a gig! This will make the cost sky-high.
Yes, most if not all string players will not be able to play in any kind of precipitation, even if it is just a drizzle. We also do not like the extreme heat or cold. Temps below 60 or above 85 make it almost impossible for our fingers to move. They're also damaging to our instruments and equipment. If your event is outdoors in September and October or April and May, plan an alternative indoor option. Nov-March would be an absolute no for any outdoor events.
Yes, I have a general liability insurance policy for up to 2M
I accept all major cards, checks, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Yes I do. I request an advanced retainer payment to hold your date (about 25-30%) of the booking amount. The remaining balance could be paid in any installments that we agree upon, as long as the final payment is made no longer than 30 days before your event, or depending on the time of booking.
Tips are always welcome but not expected. I will not have a tip jar at your event nor will I be soliciting tips from your guests. If you insist on leaving me a tip, I will gladly accept one but the best tip you can leave is a good review for me. You can leave me a review either on my Google Business page or my FB page or both.
Absolutely. If a vendor solicits their services to you without a contract, it usually raises a big red flag. You want to have a contract to avoid any kind of surprises with your booking. My contract usually includes all the necessary details from the requested times, to the amount of songs that you can request. I also send out a form to all my clients before an event to collect more details about your event. This way I can guarantee that your event will go as planned with no surprises.
Over my years of playing for weddings or events, I have yet to cancel on a client. but since you never know what life might bring. I do have a cancellation policy and it is clearly stated in my contract. Basically, you are entitled to a full refund if I can't make it to your event due to a last-minute emergency. I will, of course try to find an alternative musician to take my place. We can go over this once we are ready to move ahead with a booking.
Send me a message here with your event date, location, and any important details about your event, and I will reach out to you. Allow me 12-24 hours to respond and check your spam folder.
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