The San Francisco Institute of Music is a San Francisco and Bay Area music school that offers a system of comprehensive music instruction, with an emphasis on the development of perfect fundamentals. A student's entire future development is dependent on a correct start. From the first moment of learning to play a musical instrument a student's brain forms neural connections and pathways, commonly referred to as "muscle memory." Unless these connections are correct a student will be blocked from reaching their full potential. Muscle memory is either a powerful ally or a nearly impossible impediment.
Our well-researched methodology - the SFIM Method - for violin lessons, cello lessons, viola lessons, and piano lessons, unique among music schools in San Francisco and the Bay Area, insures that all of our students learn correctly from the beginning of their studies. Psychologically, we take care to create an environment that is both disciplined and nurturing.
Additionally, the SFIM Method allows students to advance rapidly, with significantly less practice time than is traditionally assumed because our system makes playing much easier. Students at SFIM receive training that will allow them to become masterful performers, yet maintain a balanced life. Our music instruction encompasses all levels - from beginners to the experienced performer.
We employ a bel canto approach to instrumental mastery. Groves dictionary defines bel canto as "fine singing." Essentially, bel canto means smooth connection between notes, which ultimately leads to a beautiful sound and a facile, unforced technique. The greatest singers, for example, Renata Tebaldi, Enrico Caruso, among others, used this method. The greatest instrumentalists of the past also utilized this approach - Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Kreisler, Nathan Milstein, Vladimir Horowitz, Sergei Rachmaninoff, even (which may surprise some people) Glenn Gould, all played in this style.
This approach is not only more satisfying musically, but is also physically and athletically correct, which allowed these performers to play without physical or mental antagonism, leading them to reach levels of expression and brilliance unequaled in our present day because this approach has been lost. We are bringing back this esoteric knowledge, which we have named the SFIM Method.
SFIM accepts students on the basis of an interview and audition with members of our faculty. We accept beginners starting their first music lessons - from children to adults.
SFIM has two Bay Area locations - San Francisco and, convenient to Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, and Cupertino, a location in Los Altos Hills. Call us at (415) 665-2000, or email us at admin@sfinstituteofmusic.org.
Videos of students and faculty are posted on the SF Institute of Music channel on You Tube, including videos from SFIM's last concert in June, 2011. Click on the "video" link above, then click "recitals."
The SFIM Method
A bel canto approach to instrumental mastery
